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Monday, May 5, 2025, 1:40 pm

Monday, May 5, 2025, 1:40 pm

Glitches in UPI Disrupt Daily Life: Reliability Now Under Scrutiny

UPI
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🚨 Outages in India’s Most Trusted Digital Payment System Raise Alarms

In a country that has rapidly embraced digital transactions, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has stood as a beacon of India’s fintech prowess. But the system’s third major outage in a single month has triggered widespread inconvenience, sparking questions over its reliability and resilience.

From malls and restaurants to roadside tea stalls, the unexpected glitch brought transactions to a halt for millions. Small traders, street vendors, and daily wage earners bore the brunt of the breakdown, with customers unable to complete payments, leading to chaotic scenes and mounting frustration.

Launched in 2016 as a cornerstone of India’s digital transformation, UPI has redefined how the nation pays. As per global financial service platforms like Paysecure, it remains the world’s most-used alternative payment method. Its adoption is nothing short of revolutionary, transforming even the smallest kirana stores and vegetable vendors into digital-ready enterprises.

“A generation of Indians now prefers UPI over cash — some don’t carry wallets anymore,” noted a retail industry analyst.

The glitch, which the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) attributed to “intermittent technical issues” and 95 minutes of unscheduled downtime, disrupted a service that handles nearly 75% of India’s retail digital payments. Even a short disruption in such a vital utility is unacceptable, say experts.

A Quiet Revolution, Now Under Threat

UPI was envisioned as a crucial part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for a cashless economy following the 2016 demonetisation move. With the system now used by hundreds of millions, its sudden vulnerability is alarming.

“India’s leap in digital payments through UPI is one of the great success stories of the 21st century. But success must be backed by stability and security,” said a fintech expert.

While the platform has enjoyed global acclaim, surpassing competitors like Skrill, Brazil’s Pix, and even China’s Allpay in transaction volume, the frequency of glitches and rising fraud cases have raised red flags.

Government Must Step In

Digital finance experts and policy watchers now say the government must take proactive steps. This includes boosting infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and ensuring zero downtime. UPI’s credibility, after all, is not just about convenience — it’s about trust.

“UPI is not just a tool. It’s a lifeline for millions,” a digital economist remarked. “If it falters, the entire digital dream is at stake.”

As the government and NPCI assess the latest incidents, what’s clear is this: India cannot afford glitches in a system that is now at the heart of its economy. Safeguarding UPI’s future is not optional — it’s essential.

 


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