Using UPI just to scan QR codes and pay?:9 useful features you may not know about, from offline payments to AutoPay

From paying for a cup of tea to sending money to your siblings, UPI has become a part of everyday life in India. But most people still use it mainly for one thing: scan a QR code, enter the amount, and pay. Now, UPI is changing again. From October 15, 2026, select UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 will attract a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). The charge will be paid by the merchant to the acquiring bank, not directly by the customer. The MDR will also have a cap of ₹300 for transactions of ₹75,000 or more. But there is another side to the UPI story. The platform has added several features that go well beyond simple QR payments.
From small payments without entering a PIN to offline transactions, automatic bill payments, credit lines, and international payments, here are 9 UPI features you may not be using yet.
1. UPI AutoPay: Let payments happen automatically You don’t have to manually pay every month for subscriptions or recurring expenses. UPI AutoPay lets you create an authorised mandate for recurring payments such as OTT subscriptions, insurance, EMIs, utility bills, and mutual fund investments. How to use it: Benefit: No need to remember every recurring payment date. 2. UPI Lite X: Make payments without internet What happens when your mobile data isn’t working? UPI ‘Lite X’ was introduced to enable UPI payments even when the device does not have internet connectivity. It uses NFC and is designed for compatible devices and supported payment environments. NPCI says it can help in places with poor connectivity, such as underground stations and remote areas. Benefit: You can make eligible payments even in areas with weak or no mobile internet. 3. UPI Lite: Pay small amounts without entering PIN If you regularly make small payments at tea shops, local stores, or for transport, UPI Lite can make the process quicker. UPI Lite works like an on-device balance linked to your bank account. You add money to it and can then make eligible small payments without entering your UPI PIN for every transaction. NPCI currently describes UPI Lite as a solution for low-value payments below ₹1,000. How to use it: Benefit: Small payments become faster, and your bank account statement can have fewer entries for such transactions. Also read: AI calls to face restrictions without prior notice:2,300 crore spam calls detected in 3 months; TRAI to bring new rules

4. UPI Tap Pay: No need to scan a QR code Don’t want to open your camera and scan a QR code? If your phone supports NFC and the merchant has a compatible NFC tag or smart QR, you can use UPI Tap Pay. Simply select Tap Pay in a supported UPI app, enter the amount, and tap your phone on the merchant’s NFC-enabled device or tag. Benefit: It can be quicker than scanning a QR code, especially at compatible payment points. 5. Credit on UPI: Pay using an approved credit line UPI is not limited to the money available in your savings account. Banks can offer eligible customers a pre-sanctioned credit line that can be linked to UPI. This lets users make eligible merchant payments using the approved credit facility. How to use it: Benefit: It gives eligible users another payment option without needing to use a separate physical card. Important: Interest, repayment rules, and credit limits depend on the bank and the credit product. 6. UPI Lite Auto Top-Up: Refill automatically Running out of UPI Lite balance can be inconvenient if you use it frequently. With UPI Lite Auto Top-Up, the balance can be replenished automatically when it falls below a set level, subject to the applicable rules and support from your bank and app. How to use it: Benefit: You don’t have to manually add money to UPI Lite every time the balance becomes low. 7. Pay electricity, water, and other bills through UPI UPI isn’t only for sending money to people or paying at shops. Many UPI apps also offer bill-payment services, allowing users to pay for services such as electricity, water, gas, mobile, and other recurring bills from within the app. How to use it: Benefit: You don’t have to visit a separate website or app for every bill. Also read: Flipkart announces Big Billion Days 2026, sale starts October 9:Early members get one-day prior access

8. Use UPI for international payments UPI can also be used outside India at supported international merchant locations. NPCI’s UPI Global Acceptance service allows users to make QR-based payments at selected international merchants directly from an Indian bank account through supported UPI apps. How to use it: Benefit: You may not need to carry cash for eligible purchases abroad. 9. Request money instead of sending it UPI can also work in the opposite direction. Instead of sending money to someone, you can request a payment from another UPI user. This can be useful for freelancers, small businesses or even when splitting expenses with friends. How to use it: Benefit: Useful when someone needs to pay you, and you don’t want to share bank account details. UPI is now much more than ‘Scan and Pay’ The new MDR announcement has put the spotlight on UPI payments above ₹2,000, but the platform itself has expanded far beyond basic QR transactions. Features such as UPI Lite, Tap Pay, AutoPay, Credit on UPI, offline payments, IPO mandates, and international payments give users more ways to pay, manage recurring expenses, and access financial services. NPCI continues to add new capabilities to the UPI ecosystem, while transaction volumes continue to grow. So, the next time you open your UPI app, don’t just look for the Scan Pay button. Some of the most useful features may already be sitting inside the app.