At the Global Fintech Fest 2024, Google unveiled a range of new features for its widely used payments app, Google Pay, aiming to significantly enhance the user experience in India. Among the highlights of these announcements were UPI Circle, UPI Vouchers, Clickpay QR, and several other innovative functionalities designed to streamline and enrich digital transactions.
One of the key innovations introduced is UPI Circle, which offers users the ability to delegate payment responsibilities to trusted family members or friends. This feature is particularly useful for individuals who might not have direct access to banking services or who are hesitant to engage with UPI payments directly. With UPI Circle, a primary user can add secondary users to their account, allowing them to either make payments with full or partial autonomy. In the partial delegation scenario, the primary user retains control over all transactions and must approve each payment request initiated by the secondary user. Alternatively, in full delegation mode, the primary user can set a monthly spending limit of up to Rs15,000, allowing the secondary user to make payments independently within that specified limit.
In addition, Google Pay has expanded its UPI Vouchers feature, which was initially designed to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination payments. This enhancement allows users to issue prepaid vouchers linked to a recipient’s mobile number, which can be used for various transactions without needing the recipient to link a bank account to UPI. This broader application of UPI Vouchers is intended to simplify digital payments in various contexts, including government programs, corporate gifting, and other scenarios where ease of transaction is paramount.
Another noteworthy addition is Clickpay QR, developed in collaboration with NPCI Bharat Billpay. This feature simplifies bill payments by enabling users to scan a Clickpay QR code with the Google Pay app. The QR code, which can be generated by billers, automatically retrieves the latest bill details, removing the need for users to remember account numbers or customer IDs. This streamlined approach is designed to make bill payments more efficient and accurate, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
Google Pay is also enhancing its support for recurring payments through the introduction of prepaid utility payments. Users can now link their prepaid utility accounts, such as those for electricity or housing society bills, directly within the Google Pay app. This feature aims to simplify the management of recurring payments, offering users a consolidated platform for handling their regular financial obligations.
To further ease the payment process, Google Pay is rolling out Tap & Pay for RuPay cards. This feature allows users to add their RuPay cards to Google Pay and make payments by simply tapping their mobile phone at a card reader. The secure storage of card details ensures that the 16-digit card number remains protected during transactions, reducing the need for users to carry physical cards.
Lastly, the introduction of Autopay for UPI Lite aims to address the issue of maintaining sufficient balance for small transactions. Autopay automatically tops up a user’s UPI Lite balance when it falls below a certain threshold, ensuring uninterrupted payment capabilities for small-ticket transactions.
These new features reflect Google Pay’s commitment to enhancing the digital payments landscape in India by making transactions more accessible, convenient, and secure. Through innovations like UPI Circle and Clickpay QR, Google Pay is set to further simplify and enrich the financial experience for users across the country.
Â
