The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out the UPI Tap and Pay feature alongside the My UPI platform, marking a significant expansion of India's digital payments infrastructure. Announced by Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, these updates address two critical consumer needs: frictionless contactless payments and unified account management.About The AuthorI love telling stories about technology that actually matter. I enjoy going beyond specs and buzzwords to understand how tech is changing the way we live, work and connect. I started my journalism journey in 2015, and over the years, I’ve learned that the best tech stories are not always about the newest gadget, but about why it matters to you.Key Highlights• Transaction Limits: UPI Tap and Pay allows ₹5,000 PIN-less payments when online; offline UPI payments via UPI Lite X are capped at ₹500 per transaction with a ₹2,000 wallet balance.• Offline Mode: UPI offline tap to pay works without internet by using NFC technology and the POS terminal's connection, ideal for metros, flights, and low-network areas.• My UPI Platform: The My UPI platform NPCI launched offers a single dashboard to view all UPI transactions, manage autopay, activate fraud safety switches, and access 24x7 AI-powered support.• NFC Technology: NPCI Tap to Pay UPI uses Near Field Communication, requiring users to simply tap their NFC-enabled smartphone on compatible payment terminals.Understanding UPI Tap and Pay Transaction LimitsThe NPCI Tap to Pay UPI system operates with distinct transaction limits depending on connectivity status. For standard online transactions, users can make PIN-less payments of up to ₹5,000 by tapping their NFC-enabled smartphone on a compatible point-of-sale terminal.More articles by AuthorTrending StoriesFor offline UPI payments, the limits are more restrictive. When using UPI Lite X for offline transactions, each payment is capped at ₹500, with a maximum wallet balance of ₹2,000 and a daily cumulative limit of ₹4,000. These restrictions align with the Reserve Bank of India's offline payment framework designed to manage risk in disconnected environments.How UPI Offline Tap to Pay WorksThe UPI offline tap to pay functionality relies on Near Field Communication technology and pre-loaded UPI Lite wallets. Users must first enable UPI Lite in their preferred payment application and load funds from their bank account while connected to the internet.Once the wallet contains sufficient balance, payments can be completed by tapping the smartphone against an NFC-enabled payment terminal, even in areas with no mobile network coverage. The terminal stores the transaction authorisation and forwards it for settlement once connectivity is restored, typically within four days.This capability proves particularly valuable in environments where internet access is unreliable or unavailable, including aircraft cabins, underground metro systems, and remote locations with poor network coverage.My UPI Platform: A Unified DashboardBeyond payment capabilities, NPCI has introduced the My UPI platform NPCI built on the Finance Model for India (FiMI), a specialised small language model. This AI-powered dashboard provides users with a single window to manage their entire UPI ecosystem across multiple banks and payment applications.Key features include comprehensive transaction history access, autopay mandate management, a safety switch to decline suspicious debit transactions in real-time, options to delink mobile numbers from receiving payments, and detailed merchant information visibility during transactions. The platform also supports automated chargeback processing and offers 24x7 multilingual customer support.Practical Use Cases and AvailabilityThe UPI Tap and Pay feature addresses several practical scenarios where traditional UPI payments face challenges. Frequent flyers can now make onboard purchases without relying on expensive and often unreliable in-flight Wi-Fi. Metro commuters can tap and pay at underground stations where mobile signals frequently drop. Small merchants in areas with intermittent connectivity can continue accepting digital payments without interruption.To use the feature, consumers need an NFC-enabled smartphone and a UPI application that supports Tap and Pay functionality. Merchants require NPCI-certified payment terminals with NFC capability. Major UPI applications including Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm are progressively integrating support for the feature.Security and Consumer ProtectionDespite the convenience of PIN-less transactions, the system maintains robust security measures. Device-level authentication through biometrics or screen lock replaces the traditional UPI PIN for transactions within the specified limits. The My UPI platform's safety switch allows users to instantly block suspected fraudulent transactions, while the RBI's Integrated Ombudsman Scheme provides recourse for disputed payments.Under the current regulatory framework, offline payments require explicit customer consent but do not mandate additional authentication factors. The acquiring institution bears liability for technical or security failures at the merchant end, protecting consumers from unauthorised charges.Read Also FAQsWhat is the maximum amount I can pay using UPI Tap and Pay without a PIN?For online transactions, you can make PIN-less payments up to ₹5,000. For offline UPI payments using UPI Lite X, the limit is ₹500 per transaction with a maximum daily spend of ₹4,000.Do I need internet connectivity on my phone for UPI offline tap to pay?No. The UPI offline tap to pay feature works without mobile internet by using NFC technology and the payment terminal's connection. However, you must have pre-loaded funds into your UPI Lite wallet while online before going offline.How do I access the My UPI platform dashboard?The My UPI platform NPCI launched is accessible through participating UPI applications. It provides a unified view of your transactions, autopay mandates, and security settings across all linked bank accounts and payment apps.Which smartphones support NPCI Tap to Pay UPI?Any NFC-enabled smartphone can use the feature, provided your UPI application supports Tap and Pay functionality. Most modern Android devices and recent iPhones include NFC capability, though iOS integration depends on Apple's payment policies.Where can I use UPI Tap and Pay offline mode?Offline UPI payments work at NPCI-certified NFC-enabled payment terminals, particularly useful in locations with poor connectivity such as aircraft, metro stations, remote areas, and basements where mobile networks are unavailable.What is the UPI Tap and Pay feature and who launched it?The UPI Tap and Pay feature is a new contactless payment service introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It was announced by Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.What are the transaction limits for UPI Tap and Pay?The UPI Tap and Pay feature allows PIN-less payments of up to ₹5,000 for online transactions. For offline transactions using UPI Lite X, payments are limited to ₹500 per transaction with a maximum wallet balance of ₹2,000 and a daily cumulative limit of ₹4,000.How does the My UPI platform benefit users?The My UPI platform offers a unified dashboard for users to manage their UPI transactions from multiple banks and payment applications. Key features include transaction history access, autopay management, fraud safety switches, and 24x7 AI-powered customer support.What is the UPI Tap and Pay feature introduced by NPCI?The UPI Tap and Pay feature, launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), allows users to make contactless payments using their NFC-enabled smartphones. This feature is designed for both online and offline transactions, enhancing India's digital payments infrastructure.How does the My UPI platform benefit users?The My UPI platform offers users a unified dashboard to manage all their UPI transactions, with features such as transaction history, autopay management, fraud safety switches, and 24x7 AI-powered customer support, streamlining the overall user experience.What are the transaction limits for UPI Tap and Pay?For online transactions, UPI Tap and Pay allows PIN-less payments of up to ₹5,000. For offline payments via UPI Lite X, each transaction is capped at ₹500 with a maximum wallet balance of ₹2,000 and a daily cumulative limit of ₹4,000.What technology does UPI Tap and Pay use for offline transactions?UPI Tap and Pay utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows users to make payments by simply tapping their NFC-enabled smartphones on compatible payment terminals, even in areas without internet connectivity.READ NEXT ARTICLE