Sometimes the next journey begins with a fresh perspective.
Published 01 June 2026
By Nayakanti Prashant
3rd Gen Banker & Citizen Lobbyist – Bengaluru
Advocating Digital Transactions Day (April 11)
On 1 June 2026, I am making a simple decision.
For my regular digital payments, I am returning to NPCI BHIM.
Not because other UPI apps are bad.
Not because I have a complaint.
Not because I am chasing cashback.
I am returning because I want to experience one of India's
most important UPI platforms as an everyday user once again.
Today, after years of using multiple payment applications, I
find myself drawn toward a platform that remains closely connected to the
institution that built the UPI ecosystem itself.
Three words come to mind:
Simple. Secure. Trusted.
A Platform Worth Revisiting
India's digital payments journey has evolved dramatically over
the last decade.
UPI has become part of everyday life.
From neighbourhood stores to large retailers, from utility
bills to person-to-person transfers, digital payments are now woven into our
daily routines.
The ecosystem continues to evolve with innovations such as:
- Linked
Bank Account UPI
- UPI
Lite
- Credit
Card on UPI
- AutoPay
- Merchant
QR Payments
- Delegated
Payments
Behind this remarkable transformation stands NPCI, the
institution that built and continues to strengthen the UPI infrastructure.
NPCI BHIM may not always dominate
conversations, but it remains an important part of India's digital payments
story.
My Plan
Over the coming months, I intend to use NPCI BHIM as my
primary UPI application across three major payment modes.
Bank Account UPI
The traditional UPI experience.
Direct account-to-account payments through a linked bank
account.
Simple and familiar.
UPI Lite
For everyday low-value transactions.
Tea.
Coffee.
Parking.
Small merchant payments.
The transactions that happen quickly and frequently throughout
the day.
Credit Card on UPI
One of the most interesting additions to the UPI ecosystem.
The ability to use an eligible RuPay Credit Card through UPI
combines the convenience of QR payments with the flexibility of credit.
What Caught My Attention
While exploring the latest NPCI BHIM
experience, one feature stood out immediately.
The cashback section.
At first glance, it appears to be a small enhancement.
But I believe it reflects a thoughtful approach to user
control.
The application now gives users a choice.
Cashback can either be withdrawn immediately or accumulated
within the application and withdrawn later.
The message that caught my attention was simple:
"Keep your bank statements
clean."
That sentence stayed with me.
Traditionally, cashback credits can appear as multiple entries
in a bank statement.
Over time, they add clutter.
The new NPCI BHIM approach allows cashback to
remain accumulated in one place until the user decides to withdraw it.
It is a small feature.
But it introduces flexibility.
And good digital products are often built around meaningful
user choices.
Why This Matters
As someone who frequently writes about digital payments and
advocates for Digital Transactions Day (April 11), I often think about what
makes digital payments enjoyable.
The answer is surprisingly straightforward.
People enjoy digital payments when they feel:
- Safe
- Confident
- In
control
Whether it is UPI Lite, Credit Card on UPI, or the redesigned
cashback experience, the common theme appears to be user control.
And user control builds trust.
A Personal Journey, Not A Review
This is not a review.
It is not a comparison.
And it is certainly not a farewell to other UPI applications.
India's UPI success story has been built through innovation
from many participants across the ecosystem.
My return to NPCI BHIM should simply be viewed as a
personal journey.
An opportunity to experience the platform regularly, observe
its strengths, understand its evolution, and share those observations along the
way.
Looking Ahead
Perhaps I will discover features that I appreciate.
Perhaps I will identify areas where further improvements are
possible.
Either way, it promises to be an interesting experience.
For now, the objective is straightforward:
Use NPCI BHIM regularly.
Use UPI Lite.
Use Credit Card on UPI.
Use linked bank account payments.
And experience the platform with fresh eyes.
Closing Thoughts
Sometimes progress is about moving forward.
Sometimes progress is about taking a fresh look at something
familiar.
For me, June 2026 begins with a return to one of India's most
important digital payment platforms.
Not out of nostalgia.
Not out of criticism.
But out of curiosity, appreciation, and a desire to experience
NPCI BHIM with fresh eyes.
I am back, NPCI BHIM.
And I look forward to where this
next UPI journey leads.
The Joy of Digital Transactions - Nayakanti
Prashant
Author’s Blogs
https://prashantrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
https://prashantnepayments.blogspot.com
https://innovationinbanking.blogspot.com
