New UPI Circle Feature : The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has unveiled a revolutionary feature in the UPI ecosystem – the “UPI Circle.” This new offering is designed to enhance convenience for Indian users by enabling seamless group-based payments. Whether it’s managing family expenses, splitting bills with roommates, or handling office collections, the UPI Circle promises to simplify shared financial responsibilities. Let’s break down how it works, who can benefit, and how you can start using it today.
What is the UPI Circle Feature?
The UPI Circle is a group-based payment solution introduced to streamline shared transactions. It allows a primary user (Circle Admin) to add multiple members (like family or friends) to a virtual “Circle,” where they can receive or manage payments together. The aim is to centralize and simplify common financial activities like:
- Paying rent or utility bills together
- Handling tuition or school fees for multiple children
- Group gifting or fundraising
- Family-based subscriptions and purchases
Key Benefits of the UPI Circle Feature
- Centralized management of group payments
- Real-time payment tracking for each member
- Reduces need to manually split bills
- Adds transparency in shared expenses
- Useful for families, roommates, and small teams
How Does UPI Circle Work?
The working model of UPI Circle is designed for simplicity and practicality. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
- A user initiates a Circle and becomes the Circle Admin.
- Admin adds members using their mobile number or UPI ID.
- The Circle can be labeled (e.g., “Family Bills,” “Friends Trip,” etc.)
- Admin can assign roles – payers, contributors, or viewers.
- Scheduled or one-time payment requests can be sent to members.
- Each transaction is visible to all members, enhancing transparency.
Who Can Use the UPI Circle?
The UPI Circle is currently being rolled out in a phased manner. Initially, it’s expected to be available through leading UPI-enabled apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, and BHIM. The feature is available to:
- Families who want to manage household expenses jointly
- Working professionals living with flatmates
- Small business teams collecting pooled funds
- Parent groups in schools handling activity funds
See more : LIC Fixed Deposit Plan 2025
Features Comparison of UPI Circle with Traditional UPI
| Feature | UPI Circle | Traditional UPI |
|---|---|---|
| Group Payments | Yes | No |
| Payment Reminders | Yes (Scheduled & Automated) | Manual |
| Transaction Transparency | Visible to all members | Only visible to sender/receiver |
| Roles Assignment | Admin, Contributor, Viewer | Not Applicable |
| Recurring Billing Support | Yes | Limited |
| Group Chat for Finance | Planned for future integration | No |
| User Management | Add/Remove members easily | Not Applicable |
| Primary Use Case | Family, Friends, Teams | Individual |
How to Set Up a UPI Circle – Step-by-Step
Setting up a UPI Circle is expected to be user-friendly. While interface designs may vary slightly across UPI apps, the core setup will remain the same. Here’s how you can start:
- Open your UPI App (e.g., Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)
- Go to the “Circles” or “Groups” section
- Tap on “Create Circle”
- Name your Circle (e.g., “Family Monthly Budget”)
- Add Members using their phone numbers or UPI IDs
- Assign Roles to each member: Admin, Contributor, Viewer
- Send Payment Request or set up recurring payments
- Track all transactions and member contributions from the dashboard
Popular Use Cases for UPI Circle Feature
Here are some real-life scenarios where UPI Circles can make a difference:
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Household Budget | One parent pays bills, others contribute equally |
| College Roommates Rent | Splitting rent and utilities among students |
| Festival Fund Collection | Collecting funds for Diwali or Holi celebrations |
| Subscription Sharing | Paying for shared OTT subscriptions like Netflix or Disney+ |
| Office Party Planning | Collecting money for team lunches or events |
| School Activity Funds | Parents pooling in money for group trips, annual day, etc. |
| Gift Pooling for Occasions | Buying birthday or wedding gifts as a group |
| NGO or Volunteer Circles | Managing donations or pooled resources for a cause |
Security & Privacy Measures
The UPI Circle feature maintains strong privacy and security protocols in line with UPI standards. Important points include:
- All transactions are encrypted
- Role-based access ensures control over permissions
- Admin can remove or restrict members anytime
- Real-time alerts and OTPs for secure authorizations
Banks & Apps Supporting UPI Circle (Expected Rollout)
As the feature is new, the NPCI is expected to release it through selected platforms first. Here’s a table of anticipated availability:
| UPI App | UPI Circle Availability | Rollout Status |
|---|---|---|
| PhonePe | Yes | Beta Testing Started |
| Google Pay | Yes | Pilot in Select Cities |
| Paytm | Yes | In Development |
| BHIM | Yes | Q2 2025 Launch |
| Amazon Pay | Likely | TBA |
| WhatsApp Pay | Likely | TBA |
Future Updates & Features
The NPCI is also planning several enhancements to the Circle framework:
- Integration with Google Calendar for payment scheduling
- Group Chat within Circles for discussion and reminders
- Budget planner for Circles
- Multi-bank linking for members
Pros and Cons of UPI Circle Feature
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simplifies shared payments | Not yet widely available |
| Boosts transparency in group expenses | Learning curve for new users |
| Saves time and effort | May require app update |
| Can be used for both one-time & recurring | Limited to supported UPI apps |
| Reduces awkwardness in asking for money | Some features still in development |
The UPI Circle feature is a game-changer in the Indian digital payment landscape. It’s tailored for a growing audience that deals with group payments regularly – families, students, teams, and social circles. With its focus on transparency, ease of use, and shared responsibilities, UPI Circle is set to improve how we manage money together.
As the feature rolls out more broadly, users are encouraged to keep their UPI apps updated and watch for announcements from their respective platforms. If used effectively, the UPI Circle can transform financial coordination in daily life, making it more transparent, cooperative, and stress-free.
The UPI Circle feature is currently in beta testing and may not be available to all users. Availability, interface, and features may vary based on the app and region. Users are advised to check official app announcements or NPCI updates before use.
