If you use UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm, then there is an important update for you. A new rule will come into effect from April 1, 2025, under which mobile numbers linked to bank accounts which are not active for a long time will be removed from the UPI system. This change will affect those users whose bank account has an old or closed number linked to it. If you too have linked an old or closed number to the bank, then you may face problems in doing UPI transactions.

Why was this decision taken?

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has taken this step to prevent cyber fraud and technical glitches. Many times after the mobile number is closed, telecom companies allot them to another user. In such a situation, the risk of fraud on bank accounts linked to the old number increases. Because of this, NPCI has instructed banks and UPI apps to identify inactive mobile numbers every week and remove them from their system.

There may be a problem with UPI payment

For UPI transactions, your mobile number must be linked to the bank account. If your number has been closed for a long time or has not been updated after getting a new SIM, then after April 1, you may face failure in UPI payment.

How to avoid this problem?

If you want your UPI payment to continue without any interruption, then you have to follow these important steps:

Check the mobile number linked to your bank account. If the number is closed or old, then update it immediately.

Contact your telecom provider (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) and confirm that the number is still registered in your name.

If your number has been closed and has been allotted to someone else, then go to the bank and get a new number linked.

Update your number and bank details by going to the UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm).

NPCI will update the data every week

NPCI has instructed all banks and UPI apps to update the list of inactive numbers every week. This means that if your number is not active for a long time, it can be automatically removed from the bank's records. So always keep your number active and updated.

Is your number active for UPI or not? Check like this

Log in to your bank's netbanking or mobile banking app and see the registered mobile number.

Go to Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm and verify the number linked there.

If the number has been closed, then immediately complete the process of linking a new number.