Google announces pay UPI circle in India. Find out exactly what it is and how to use it here.

Google Introduces UPI Payment Circle in India: What It Means and How You Can Use It

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: October 04, 2024

Summary: UPI Circle is a soon-to-be-launched feature by NPCI allowing a primary user of Google Pay to share their UPI account with the secondary users.

A few weeks ago, Google announced UPI Circle, a new UPI functionality for its Google Pay app. This new feature seeks to simplify financial transactions for those without bank account access or who are hesitant to use online payment methods. According to Google, UPI Circle will soon be available on the app.

UPI Circle, developed in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), attempts to close the gap for people who still rely on cash by enabling reliable friends or family members to help them in making digital payments.

What is the UPI Circle?

UPI Circle on Google Pay enables the principal user to outsource digital payment responsibilities to trusted contacts like family members or friends. This feature is especially useful for people who do not have access to a bank account or struggle to manage digital payments on their own. With UPI Circle, payments can be made using the primary user's account without the secondary user having to link a bank account.

There are two types of delegations:

Full delegation: The primary user can set a monthly limit of up to ₹15,000, and the secondary user can make payments within that limit without approval.

Partial delegation: The primary user can have full control over the transactions made by the secondary user. Here, approval from the primary user is needed for every payment.

According to Google, UPI Circle will be helpful for those handling payments for dependents or domestic help, as well as families with elderly members who might not feel comfortable making digital payments.

How to use it?

The primary user should have a bank account linked to Google Pay.
The secondary user should have a UPI ID, and his contact number should be saved in the primary user’s phone.
To make payments from the primary user's account, the secondary user should open thier UPI app and then tap the QR code.
The primary user will then tap their Google Pay profile photo or initials to enter the UPI Circle area.
The primary user will select a delegation type next.
The secondary user needs to accept the invite and complete the setup.
The secondary user can make payments freely within the Rs 15,000 monthly limit, per transaction should not be more than ₹5,000.
The primary user can accept or deny payment requests based on the information given.

To manage several dependents, a primary user can add up to five secondary users. One UPI Circle can only have one secondary user at a time, though.