Hack of the day: Let family make UPI payments with limits

'The Times of India' brings you 'Hack of the Day'—a new weekday series of quick, practical solutions to everyday hassles. Each hack is designed to save you time, money or stress, using tools and features within your reach—from government websites to everyday apps. In simple terms, it's simple fixes for smarter living.'
Managing household finances often means balancing convenience with security. Parents may want their children to pay for groceries, senior citizens may need help with digital payments, or students might require controlled access to funds. Traditionally, this meant either handing over full account access or constantly supervising transactions — both of which carry risks.

That’s where UPI Circle comes in. This feature allows you to delegate UPI payments to trusted family members or household members while setting clear limits and controls. Instead of sharing your PIN or account credentials, you can authorize specific users to make payments under a monthly cap, with approval modes that keep you in charge. It’s a smarter way to empower your family to handle everyday expenses without compromising your financial security.

By using UPI Circle, you reduce the chance of misuse while still enabling flexibility. Think of it as giving your family a prepaid card — but directly linked to your UPI account, with adjustable limits and oversight.

How to use UPI Circle

1. li1Open a UPI app that supports UPI Circle.
2. li1Select the UPI Circle or delegated payments option.
3. li1Add a trusted family member or secondary user.
4. li1Set the monthly limit and approval mode (auto or manual).
5. li1Review payments regularly and remove access when not needed.

Careful

Delegate only to someone you trust. Limits reduce risk, but they don’t replace the need to monitor transactions. Always keep an eye on activity to ensure your account remains secure.