Google Pay Now Supports Aadhar-based Authentication for UPI Activation

Google Pay is hoping to reach even more users with the new Aadhar-based authentication.

Published On: Jun 7, 2023 | Last Updated: Jun 7, 2023

Google Pay has announced the release of Aadhar-based authentication for UPI activation via the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It is aimed at giving users more ways to activate their UPI IDs. The support was originally released by NPCI last year but Google Pay is receiving it now. It is already one of the leading UPI apps in the country and is now hoping to reach even more users with the new feature.

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How to Activate Google Pay UPI ID Using Aadhar?

The process of using Aadhar-based UPI activation on Google Pay is pretty simple and straightforward. However, there are a couple of things that need to be fulfilled before a user can proceed. The first thing to ensure is that the same mobile number must be linked to Aadhar and the concerned bank account. The second thing is that the bank account must also be linked to Aadhar.

If you fulfil the aforementioned criteria, you can proceed with the following steps:

Launch the Google Pay application on your smartphone.
Choose Aadhar as the option for verifying your bank account.
Enter the first six digits of your Aadhar number.
Tap the Create PIN option to receive a 6-digit Aadhar OTP.
Enter OTP to authenticate yourself and your bank will handle this part.
Once authenticated successfully, choose a 6-digit UPI PIN for all your future transactions.

Google says it does not store your Aadhar number during the process. When a user enters the first six digits of Aadhar, it is shared with UIDAI via NPCI for validation purposes. This is done to ensure user privacy and the safety of the user’s Aadhar number.

Prior to this new feature, a user could not activate UPI ID unless they had a debit card. This is the reason many users across India who have a bank account but do not have a debit card could not use UPI. UIDAI’s data shows 99.9% of the adult population in India have an Aadhar number and they use it at least once a month.