I Am Back, NPCI BHIM | Where My Next UPI Journey Begins

 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

Step into Day 6 of the Thrilling 30-Day UPI Challenge!

🚀 🌟 Step into Day 6 of the Thrilling 30-Day UPI Challenge! 🚀 Ready to Unlock the Power of ICICI Bank RuPay Credit Card? 💳

 

🎉 **Exciting News from ICICI Bank! 🌐**

📅 December 01, 2023: Mumbai: Today marks a groundbreaking announcement from ICICI Bank, unveiling the integration of its RuPay Credit Cards with UPI transactions. 💳🚀

This strategic move aims to elevate the payment experience for ICICI Bank customers, providing seamless convenience and enhanced security.

 

🔄 Key Features:

1. Convenience and Security: Customers can effortlessly link their ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card, ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver RuPay Credit Card, and ICICI Bank Rubyx RuPay Credit Card to UPI.

This integration enables them to make Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions both online (shopping, utility bill payments) and offline (POS transactions) in a secure and hassle-free manner. 🛍️💼

 

2. Reward Points: A delightful addition to this offering is the ability for customers to earn reward points on their RuPay Credit Cards, enhancing their digital payment experience. 🌟💳

 

3. Financial Flexibility: Leveraging UPI transactions on RuPay Credit Cards grants customers an interest-free credit period of up to 50 days. This financial flexibility empowers them to manage expenses more efficiently. 💸📆

 

🤝 Collaboration with NPCI: To bring this innovative offering to life, ICICI Bank has collaborated with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This collaboration enables customers to link their RuPay Credit Cards to UPI seamlessly. 🤝🌐

 

💡 How It Works: Customers can scan the merchant QR code and make payments directly from their RuPay Credit Cards using any UPI payment app, including iMobile Pay. The process is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction experience. 📲🔒

 

This integration not only enhances the payment landscape but also reflects ICICI Bank's commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

 

 Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to revolutionize the digital payment experience! 🚀🌈 #ICICIBank #RuPayCreditCard #UPIIntegration #DigitalPaymentRevolution

🌐 **Paving the Way for Safe ePayments: Declaring Safe ePayDay! ** 🚀

In the vast realm of digital transactions, the spotlight is now on declaring a special day — Safe ePayDay / Safe ePayments Day! 💳✨

 

🚀 The countdown has begun, and the day is fast approaching when we'll join together in a global celebration of Safe ePayDay.

🌍✨ Imagine a day dedicated to promoting secure, seamless, and responsible electronic transactions, uniting individuals, and businesses alike.

 

Stay tuned for the momentous occasion when we collectively recognize and applaud the significance of secure ePayments in shaping a trustworthy financial landscape. 🎉💼

Let's usher in the era of Safe ePayDay, a day where we celebrate the reliability and resilience of electronic payment systems worldwide! 🌐💳 #SafeePayDay #DigitalTrust #SecureTransactions 🚀

📢 Disclaimer: These are my personal views only.

🌐 The focus is declaring a Day as Safe ePayDay / Safe ePayments Day.

🚀 Yes, the day is not far off when there will be a celebration of Safe ePayDay / Safe ePayments Day.

Copyrights if any, belong to the original copyright holder only.

Additional Reading Material: PM’s address in the 107th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on 26 Nov, 2023 @ https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pms-address-in-the-107th-episode-of-mann-ki-baat/

 

 

 

 

💳✨ Happy RuPay Credit Card User Shares Positive Vibes! ✨💳**

Hey there! 🌟 Just wanted to share my absolute delight as a frequent user of the RuPay Credit Card via the UPI channel. These thoughts are purely my own, and I'm all about spreading the joy of safe ePayments! 🤗💳

Using my RuPay Credit Card with UPI has been such a positive and seamless experience. 💖 The convenience of making secure transactions with just a few clicks is truly a game-changer. 🚀💸

I can't help but smile every time I scan and pay at any merchant QR, knowing that I'm not only making a smart payment but also earning reward points as per the individual card issuer.

🎉✨ It's like turning every transaction into a little celebration! 🎈🥳

And the fact that my credit card is now seamlessly integrated with UPI makes everything even more effortless. It's like the future of payments is right at my fingertips! 🌐💼

The dual reward system of some issuer banks is such a fantastic bonus. Whether it's a UPI transaction or a non-UPI one, I'm racking up those Reward Points and loving every bit of it. 😍🔄

Oh, and let's not forget the 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver. 🚗⛽️ It's like a little gift every time I fill up my tank – making my journeys even more enjoyable! 🌈

So, here's to the joy of safe ePayments and the positive vibes that come with being a RuPay Credit Card user via UPI! 🎊💳 Spread the positivity and happy transacting! 🌟💖

 

*Disclaimer: These are my personal views only, and I just couldn't resist sharing the positive vibes. Keep spreading the joy, fellow ePayment enthusiasts! 🙌💫*

You cannot load your Digital Rupee Wallet via RuPay Credit Card

  

🚫 You cannot load your Digital Rupee Wallet via RuPay Credit Card. 📵💳

Remember to use alternative methods for loading your Digital Rupee wallet! 🔄💼 🤔📲

 

📢 In a recent circular dated November 7^th 2023, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has provided clarification, highlighting that users of Digital Rupee Wallets are currently restricted from loading their Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets using RuPay Credit Cards.

Both the Digital Rupee and RuPay Credit Cards represent novel additions to the UPI Payment channel, and their usage is gradually gaining momentum.

Various stakeholders within the Digital Rupee and RuPay Credit Card ecosystem are actively engaged in promoting UPI transactions through these platforms.

As promotional efforts intensify, we anticipate a corresponding surge in Digital Rupee transactions.

The evolving landscape of digital payments promises exciting developments, and the symbiotic growth of Digital Rupee and RuPay Credit Cards underscores the transformative journey toward a cashless economy.

Stay tuned for more updates as we witness the unfolding of this digital revolution! 🚀💳 #DigitalPayments #CBDC #RuPayRevolution

 

📢 Disclaimer: The thrill of secure ePayments is booming in our country! 🚀 Exciting times ahead! 💼 These are my personal views only. 😊 #ePayments #SecurityJoy 🌐