India’s digital payments ecosystem has taken a major leap forward in 2025. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have jointly launched biometric and wearable glass-based authentication for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. This groundbreaking step aims to make digital payments more secure, seamless, and inclusive than ever before.
Biometric Authentication: Fingerprints and Face Unlock for UPI
UPI users can now verify transactions using fingerprints or facial recognition, linked to their Aadhaar and securely stored on their devices.
This means no more entering PINs — authentication happens locally on the user’s phone, ensuring sensitive data never leaves the device.
The result? Faster, more private, and highly secure digital transactions.
Smart Glass Payments: UPI Lite Goes Hands-Free
In another futuristic move, NPCI has introduced UPI Lite for wearable smart glasses. Users can now make small-value payments hands-free — by simply scanning a QR code and confirming with voice commands.
No phone, no PIN, no screen taps — just instant, effortless transactions for daily needs like transport, cafes, or retail shopping.
Multi-Signatory UPI Accounts: Designed for Families and Businesses
NPCI also unveiled a multi-signatory account feature for UPI. This allows joint account holders — such as family members or business partners — to approve payments collectively.
It enhances transparency, control, and accountability, ensuring that every payment is verified by the designated signatories before processing.
Powered by Aadhaar Infrastructure
The biometric UPI system leverages Aadhaar’s fingerprint, iris, and facial data, adding an additional layer of security and authenticity.
It also simplifies onboarding for users without debit cards — they can now register instantly using Aadhaar-based face authentication.
Optional, Flexible, and Highly Secure
Using biometrics is completely optional. Users can choose to stick with traditional PINs or switch to biometric verification.
Each transaction undergoes independent cryptographic verification by issuing banks, ensuring maximum security and reliability.
Driving Inclusion and Ease of Use
This innovation is especially beneficial for senior citizens, rural populations, and first-time digital users who may struggle with PIN-based systems.
By simplifying digital payments, NPCI and RBI are moving closer to India’s vision of a cashless, inclusive economy — where technology bridges, not widens, the accessibility gap.
What’s Next for Biometric UPI
The roadmap ahead includes enabling biometric verification for UPI PIN setup, PIN reset, and ATM withdrawals.
This will further integrate UPI into everyday banking, offering a frictionless, future-ready financial experience for millions of users.