UPI New Rules 2026: if you daily Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm If you make online payment, then this news is very important for you. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has taken a big decision to make the digital payment system more secure. ‘UPI Collect’ from 28th February 2026 The feature has been turned off in most places. This means that till now the users who used to make payment by manually typing their UPI ID or mobile number, that method will not work on many platforms. The purpose of this change is to reduce online fraud and make the payment system more secure.

What is ‘UPI Collect’ feature?

Till now, whenever a user used to shop on any website or app, he could start payment by entering his UPI ID like abc@okaxis or mobile number. After this, a notification would come on its UPI app like Google Pay or PhonePe.

As soon as the user approved the request and entered his UPI PIN, the payment was made immediately. This process is called Pull Transaction, in which the other person or platform sends a payment request.

Why is this method being discontinued?

According to NPCI, online scammers were taking maximum advantage of this feature. Many fraudsters used to send fake collect requests to people luring them with money. Unknown people used to accept that request without understanding and as soon as they entered the PIN, money was deducted from their account. This is why now P2P (Person-to-Person) collect requests are being stopped or limited. Now most of the transactions will be in Push Mode, that is, the sender of the money will initiate the transaction himself.

How will UPI payment happen now?

The closure of the old method does not mean that online payments will stop. NPCI has promoted two new and safe options for this.

1. QR Code Scan: Now while making payment through web or desktop, you will have to scan the QR code. This is considered to be the safest method, because there is less possibility of mistake or fraud in it.

2. UPI Intent System: While making payment on the mobile app, you will now directly see the icon of the UPI app. By clicking on it, you will directly reach the payment page of your favorite app, where the payment can be completed just by entering the UPI PIN.

However, the collect request facility will continue in a limited form for large and verified merchants.

What will be the impact on common users?

With this change, people may find the way of payment a little different in the beginning, but this will greatly increase security. According to NPCI data, more than 70% of UPI fraud cases were to collect requests. The biggest weakness of this system has been closed from 28 February 2026, due to which digital payments will be more secure than before.

UPI is growing rapidly in India

The use of UPI payment has increased rapidly in the last few years in India. From small shopkeepers to big online platforms, mobile payments are being made everywhere. In such a situation, experts advise that while making digital payments, always keep in mind to whom you are sending money and avoid accepting any unknown payment request.