NPCI permanently discontinues person-to-person ‘collect request’ feature from October 1, 2025, to combat rising fraud cases. The decision affects PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, and all UPI apps but merchant collect requests remain operational.
Table of Contents
Key Changes Summary
| Feature | Before October 1 | After October 1 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| P2P Collect Request | Available | Discontinued | No more personal payment requests |
| Merchant Collect | Available | Continues | Business transactions unaffected |
| Bill Splitting | Via P2P request | Manual payment only | Users must send money directly |
| Fraud Protection | Limited | Enhanced | Reduced fraudulent requests |
Why NPCI Ended P2P Collect Requests
NPCI stated in its July 29 circular: “By October 1, 2025, UPI P2P Collect shall not be allowed to be processed in UPI.” This decision addresses growing security concerns where fraudsters misused the feature to trick users into making unauthorized payments.
Originally designed for use cases like splitting bills or reminding friends to pay back shared expenses, it has increasingly become a security concern.
Impact on Popular UPI Apps
The change affects all major UPI payment apps including:
- PhonePe
- Google Pay (GPay)
- Paytm
- BHIM
- Bank-specific UPI apps
Users can no longer send payment requests to friends or family members through these platforms.
What Remains Unchanged
Merchants can continue to submit collect requests, ensuring business transactions remain unaffected. This means:
- Online shopping payment requests work normally
- Bill payment reminders continue
- Subscription service requests remain active
- Business-to-customer transactions unaffected
Alternative Solutions for Users
Without P2P collect requests, users must adapt their digital payment habits:
- Send direct UPI payments instead of requesting
- Use messaging to remind others about pending payments
- Split bills manually by calculating individual shares
- Use third-party expense tracking apps for group expenses
Security Enhancement Benefits
This change significantly reduces fraud risks associated with fake payment requests. Scammers often used collect requests to confuse users into making payments, thinking they were receiving money instead.
The move aligns with NPCI’s broader strategy to enhance UPI security measures and protect users from sophisticated fraud schemes targeting digital payment platforms.
Timeline for Implementation
The October 1, 2025 deadline gives users and businesses time to adjust their payment workflows. Banks and payment service providers must ensure compliance with this directive before the enforcement date.
FAQs
Can I still request money from merchants after October 1, 2025?
Yes, merchant collect requests will continue to work normally for business transactions.
How will I split bills with friends without P2P collect requests?
You’ll need to calculate amounts manually and send direct UPI payments instead of requesting money.
