Why BHIM is secure
- Built by India's national payments regulator NPCI on UPI and IMPS network
- Each transaction employs two-factor authentication (UPI PIN + OTP) and end‑to‑end encryption to protect data
- Open‑source platform, audited periodically by regulators and community specialists
Evidence of dependability
- Supported by NPCI and all large Indian banks facilitating over 170 banks with instant money transfers between accounts
- UPI has gone live throughout India and increasingly worldwide (e.g. cross-border UPI link in Cyprus, Thailand coming soon)
Important aspects of BHIM UPI
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Instant Bank-to-bank UPI transfers | Move money quickly even from different banks using your UPI ID or QR scan |
| Multi‑factor security | Uses UPI PIN with optional biometric unlock, OTP confirmation |
| Low‑caps and settings | RBI regulated transaction caps (₹100 K or more) with e‑mandate controls above ₹15 K or ₹100 K as refined in UPI 3.0 |
| Access bank offers | Bill payments, add money, merchant acceptance, QR code scan, balance check |
| Lightweight & open‑source | Small APK (46 MB) and transparent codebase for trust |
Why choose BHIM over others
- BHIM is linked directly to your bank funds never reside in a third‑party wallet requiring FDIC‑style protection concerns. Transfer only from your bank account.
- Completely regulated by RBI/ NPCI under Indian law no chance of pseudo‑bank insolvency or unregulated custody.
- Low fees, safe architecture, minimalist design particularly suited for Indian users compared to international apps (Wise, Paytm, Venmo) which might not have end-to-end bank‑to‑bank integration or local rules.
Safe usage best practices
- Send money only to familiar contacts UPI transactions cannot be reversed
- Make biometric login available (fingerprint/face) and don't store the PIN insecurely
- Keep the app updated NPCI deploys security patches
- Monitor notifications and SMS for transactions report any suspicious activity