To enhance digital payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Circle, a delegated payment feature to revolutionise digital payments in India. It allows dependents of a user to utilise the UPI facility without involving other bank accounts. It aims to include a larger section of the society that cannot use its own bank account. Read on to learn more about the important details about UPI Circle along with its features, how it works, and related aspects.
What is UPI Circle
The NPCI has launched a new payment feature called UPI Circle, allowing two or multiple individuals to share a bank account for UPI transactions.
This feature allows multiple users, such as family members, friends, and spouses to share a single UPI ID permitting secure and delegated transactions. Users can use the shared bank account to carry out small-value transactions through UPI.
The primary user has the authority to manage access, set transaction limits, authorise transactions, etc.. For secondary users, it enables them to carry out a transaction even if they don’t have a bank account.
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Features of UPI Circle
| Term | Significance |
| Usability | Multiple users can share a single UPI platform for transactions |
| Transaction Limit | Maximum Limit per month – Rs. 15,000 Maximum Limit per transaction – Rs. 5,000 |
| Purpose | Easy access for children, adults, elderly citizens, physically handicapped people with no bank accounts |
| Linking | By scanning a QR code or entering a UPI contact choosing a contact and providing access |
| Apps | All UPI apps shall provide this service |
| Fee | No additional fee to avail this service |
Who is a Primary User of UPI Circle
The accountholder of the bank account is the primary user of UPI Circle. He/she is the highest authority for the circle.
The primary user initiates the Circle and manages the transactions.
They have the authority to decide whom to make their trusted account partner and give full or partial access to the secondary user.
They can set limits, authority, UPI PIN, add/remove secondary user, etc.
The primary user can also carry out transactions through the created UPI Circle.
Who is a Secondary User of UPI Circle
The secondary user of the UPI Circle is added by the primary user to the UPI Circle.
They don’t have to link the bank account to the added UPI Circle.
A secondary user can be a family member, friend, or spouse who can receive access as a trusted person from a primary user.
UPI Circle Authority for Secondary Users
Full Delegation
- Under full delegation, primary users can authorize secondary users to start and complete UPI transactions within scheduled spending limits.
- Such secondary users can make UPI transactions without an approval from the primary user
Partial Delegation
- Under Partial delegation, secondary users can start the payment requests but cannot transfer funds directly
- The primary user has to enter the UPI PIN every time the secondary user initiates a transaction
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How UPI Circle Works
UPI Circle enables primary UPI users to authorize a trusted user to perform payment transactions on their behalf. This payment can be performed partially or fully, depending upon the authority of the secondary user. It helps users who are unable to manage their finances independently.
Let us understand how UPI Circle works:
Step 1: The primary user initiates a UPI Circle on a UPI app of choice
Step 2: A secondary user is added to the Circle
Step 3: The primary user sets limits and authorisation for the secondary user
Step 4: The secondary user accepts the UPI Circle invite
Step 5: Once added, the secondary user can make UPI transactions using the UPI Circle
How to Link Secondary Users to UPI Circle
Find below the simple steps to link a secondary user to the UPI Circle:
Step 1: Scan the QR or enter the UPI ID of the secondary user
Step 2: Select the contact from the contact list whom you want to provide the access
Step 3: After selecting the contact, the secondary user is added to the UPI Circle
Step 4: The secondary user has to accept the invite. Once accepted, the secondary user can start making UPI transactions
How to Transfer Funds Using UPI Circle
Once the primary user initiates a UPI Circle and the secondary user accepts it, the process of UPI transactions can be started. The primary user has to set up the UPI PIN for fund transfer and share it with the secondary user.
To transfer funds using UPI Circle, the secondary user can follow the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Enter the UPI ID or scan the QR code of the beneficiary
Step 2: Enter the amount to be transferred
Step 3: There is an option to add a remark for the transaction (optional)
Step 4: Enter the UPI PIN to make the transaction (for secondary applicants with full delegation)
When a secondary user with partial delegation initiates the UPI transfer, a notification is sent to the primary user on the UPI app
Step 5: The primary user has to enter the UPI PIN to finally transfer the funds through the bank account (not in case of a secondary user with full delegation)
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Important Points Related to UPI Circle
- Users can select any UPI app of their choice to avail this facility
- A primary user can add up to 5 secondary users
- A secondary user can accept an invitation from only one primary user
- The primary member has to provide full or partial delegation to the secondary user from very beginning
- UPI limits are same in case of both full and partial delegation
- Transactions carried out by a secondary user reflects in the UPI app as well as the bank statement
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) available for all UPI transactions
Security Features of UPI Circle
Apart from various security features provided by NPCI for UPI, some new security features have also been added for UPI Circle as mentioned below:
- While adding a secondary user, the primary user cannot add a mobile number for safety purposes. Only QR code or UPI ID can be used to add the user.
- All UPI apps need to provide security features of app password/ fingerprint/ face recognition for all secondary users as well
- There is a cap on maximum transaction limit of Rs. 5,000 per transaction and a monthly transaction limit of Rs. 15,000.
- There is a cooling period of 24 hours when a secondary user is added. A total transfer limit of Rs. 5,000 is only allowed during this period.
- Not more than 5 secondary users can be added to the UPI Circle
- All transactions carried out by the secondary user will be visible to the primary user as well
Top UPI Apps Providing UPI Circle Facility
UPI Circle can be accessed using all UPI apps, be it a bank app or a third-party app. However, there are a few top UPI apps that can be used to carry out transactions through UPI Circle, such as –
| Amazon Pay | BHIM |
| CRED | GPay |
| iMobile Pay | Paytym |
| PayZapp | PhonePe |
| Samsung Pay |
Read More: Top UPI Apps
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UPI Circle FAQs
Q. Do I need to submit any document to add someone to my UPI Circle?
Ans. As your UPI is already linked with your Aadhaar and PAN card, so no new documents are required to be submitted to add someone to your UPI Circle.
Q. Do I need a different app to use UPI Circle?
Ans. No, you do not require an additional app to use UPI Circle, as the transactions may be performed on the same UPI app that you are already using.
Q. Can a secondary user add me as a primary user in UPI Circle?
Ans. No, only the primary user has the authority to add a secondary user to the UPI Circle and not vice-versa.
Q. How many members can be added to one UPI Circle?
Ans. As per NPCI, a primary user can add only one secondary user to a UPI Circle and secondary users can accept delegation from only one primary user. However, a primary user can create up to 5 UPI Circles using the same savings account.
Q. Where should I raise a grievance related to UPI Circle?
Ans. Every customer who wants to raise a grievance related to UPI Circle can raise a complaint on the PSP App / TPAP app.
Q. What is the UPI Circle fee?
Ans. There is no UPI Circle fee as defined by the banks or NPCI.
Q. Do I have to pay a fee to subscribe to UPI Circle?
Ans. No, you are not required to pay any fee to subscribe to UPI Circle.
Q. Is a secondary user required to pay a fee to use UPI Circle?
Ans. Noneither a primary nor a secondary user has to pay any fee to use UPI Circle.
Q. Can I change the delegation of UPI Circle for my secondary user later?
Ans. Yes, you can change the delegation of UPI Circle for your secondary user later as well.
Q. Can I see the transactions done by the secondary user through UPI Circle?
Ans. Yes, you can see all the payment transactions done by the secondary user via UPI Circle in the UPI app and the bank account statement.
Q. Can I add multiple secondary users to my UPI Circle?
Ans. Yes, you can add up to 5 secondary users to your UPI Circle.
Q. Who is the owner of UPI?
Ans. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is owned and operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which is a non-profit making organization established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).