From October, UPI Users Can’t Request Money via ‘Collect Request’ for P2P Transfers
New Delhi, 13th August 2025: In a major move to enhance digital payment security, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has directed all banks and UPI-based payment apps — including Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm — to completely discontinue the peer-to-peer (P2P) “collect request” feature from October 1, 2025.
The “collect request” or “pull transaction” option in UPI allows a user to request money from another person by entering their UPI ID and sending a payment request. Once the recipient approves the request by entering their UPI PIN, the specified amount is transferred. Initially introduced as a convenient tool to remind friends or relatives about pending dues, the feature gradually became a target for fraudsters.
NPCI had previously attempted to curb misuse by capping such requests at ₹2,000 per transaction, which reduced but did not eliminate fraud. “Despite the limit, scammers continued finding new ways to exploit the system. This step is aimed at completely safeguarding users from such traps,” NPCI said in its communication to stakeholders.
Merchants’ Payment Requests to Continue
The new directive applies only to P2P transactions. Merchants, such as retail stores and e-commerce platforms, will still be able to send collect requests. For example, when customers opt to pay via UPI while shopping online, companies can continue sending a payment notification, which can be approved by entering the UPI PIN.
Other UPI features, such as sending money directly by scanning a QR code, entering a mobile number, or using a UPI ID (push transactions), remain unaffected. The change only impacts the general public’s ability to request money from each other through UPI.
With UPI now processing billions of transactions monthly, the NPCI’s latest move is seen as a decisive step in strengthening digital payment safety and reducing fraud attempts.
