Making a UPI payment in India could soon become even faster. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a new UPI Tap & Pay facility that allows users to make contactless payments by simply tapping their smartphone on a compatible point-of-sale terminal.
The feature uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and is designed to make small, everyday payments more convenient. The development was announced at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.
For millions of Indians who already use UPI several times a day, the new feature could remove one of the most common steps involved in making a payment: opening the UPI app and scanning a QR code.
What Is UPI Tap & Pay?
UPI Tap & Pay allows a customer to initiate a payment by bringing an NFC-enabled smartphone close to a compatible payment terminal.
Instead of scanning a QR code, the phone communicates with the terminal using NFC.
The basic process is:
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Bring your NFC-enabled smartphone close to the payment terminal.
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The terminal detects the device.
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The payment details are presented to the user.
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The user authorises the transaction.
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The payment is completed through UPI.
The feature is intended to provide a quicker contactless payment experience while retaining UPI's existing payment infrastructure.
Do You Need an NFC Phone?
Yes, the smartphone needs to support NFC for this type of contactless payment.
NFC is a short-range wireless technology already found in many smartphones. It allows two compatible devices or a phone and payment terminal to exchange information when they are brought very close together.
However, not every smartphone supports NFC.
If you
