UPI Apps to Display Only Verified Bank Names from June 30 to Prevent Fraud and Wrong Transfers

April 30, 2025 — In a major step toward enhancing security in digital transactions, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has mandated that all UPI (Unified Payments Interface) apps must display only the bank-verified name of the payment recipient before users confirm a transaction. The directive, aimed at reducing fraud and mistaken payments, will come into effect from June 30, 2025.

Under the new rule, UPI apps will no longer be allowed to show user-customized names, app-specific aliases, or names pulled from saved contacts. Instead, the name visible on the payment confirmation screen will be fetched directly from the recipient’s bank through the Core Banking System (CBS), ensuring that it reflects the officially registered account holder’s name.

This measure applies to both peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2PM) transactions — including payments made to small businesses, vendors, or service providers.

The NPCI has directed all UPI platforms to comply with this change by the deadline. Features that allow name editing or personalization within apps will be permanently disabled, and only the verified name retrieved via official APIs will be shown before completing a transaction.

The decision comes in response to a growing number of complaints involving payments made to incorrect recipients due to deceptive or unclear identifiers. By enforcing strict name verification, the move is expected to strengthen trust and transparency in India’s fast-growing digital payment ecosystem.

Officials say the update is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard users and improve accuracy in money transfers as UPI usage continues to rise across the country.