UPI P2P Collect Request to Be Discontinued from October 1, 2025 — NPCI’s Security Update Explained

Introduction — The End of an Era for UPI P2P Collect Requests in India

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed how India transacts, from paying for groceries to splitting dinner bills with friends. One of its unique features—the UPI P2P Collect Request—has been a convenient way for individuals to request money instead of manually sending it. But this familiar option will soon be a thing of the past.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has officially announced that P2P collect requests will be discontinued from October 1, 2025. This decision, while significant, is aimed at reducing fraud and improving payment security. For millions of UPI users, this means a shift in how peer-to-peer transactions will work going forward.

This guide explains what the UPI P2P Collect Request is, why it’s being removed, how it impacts you, and how to adapt before the deadline hits.

What Is the UPI P2P Collect Request Feature and How It Works

The UPI P2P Collect Request feature was essentially a “pull” payment method. Instead of the sender initiating a transfer, the recipient could send a payment request to the sender, who would then approve it by entering their UPI PIN.

Example use cases included:

• Splitting restaurant or travel bills with friends
• Requesting rent from a flatmate
• Sending reminders for pending personal loans
• Sharing costs for group events or activities

Unlike “push” transactions (where the payer sends money directly), collect requests flipped the process. They worked well for informal payments but also opened the door for misuse—something NPCI now wants to fix.

Why NPCI Is Removing the UPI Collect Feature in 2025

NPCI has made it clear: security comes first. Over the past few years, fraudsters have increasingly misused the collect feature to trick people into sending money.

Common scam scenario:
A scammer sends a fake UPI collect request to a victim, disguising it as a refund, cashback, or bill payment request. The victim, thinking they’re approving a payment they’re receiving, enters their UPI PIN—unknowingly sending money to the scammer instead.

NPCI’s decision to discontinue this feature is part of its broader UPI fraud prevention update. By eliminating the ability for anyone to send you a payment request, the platform removes a major loophole that scammers exploited.

What Will Change After October 1, 2025 in UPI P2P Payments

Once the cutoff date arrives, the UPI P2P Collect Request removal will take effect across all UPI apps—Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and others.

Key changes:

• No more collect requests for P2P transactions
• All payments will shift to a payer-initiated (push) model
• To receive money, you’ll need to share your UPI ID or QR code with the payer

This might seem like a small adjustment, but it changes daily habits for those who relied on collect requests for quick, hassle-free transactions. It also means users must take an extra step to send money, but this added friction significantly increases safety.

Merchant Collect in UPI — Why It’s Unaffected by the New Rules

The discontinuation applies only to peer-to-peer transactions. Merchant collect UPI requests—the kind you get from verified businesses like Amazon, Swiggy, Zomato, or utility billers—will still work as usual.

Why merchants are different:

• Verified UPI merchant IDs are harder for scammers to fake
• Transactions are tied to legitimate goods or services
• Additional fraud checks are often in place

For example, if you’re paying for an online order on Flipkart or settling your electricity bill via your provider’s app, you’ll still see a collect request option. NPCI considers these safe because they originate from registered and verified business accounts.

How to Adapt to Payer-Initiated UPI Transactions After P2P Pull Request Removal

With the removal of the UPI P2P Collect Request, all peer-to-peer transfers will follow a payer-initiated model. This means that if someone owes you money, you can no longer request it through UPI. Instead, they’ll need to initiate the payment themselves.

Here’s how you can adapt smoothly:

1. Share Your UPI QR Code
   Every UPI app allows you to generate a personal QR code. Save it as an image on your phone and share it via WhatsApp, email, or even print it for physical display.
2. Use UPI IDs Efficiently
   Memorize your UPI ID or keep it stored somewhere secure so you can send it instantly to anyone who needs to pay you.
3. Switch to Expense-Splitting Apps
   Apps like Splitwise or Google Pay’s “Group” feature help track who owes what. While the payment request button may vanish, the group calculation tools remain.
4. Communicate Clearly
   If you’re used to sending a collect request as a reminder, you’ll now need to send a message instead. A simple “Hey, here’s my UPI ID, please transfer when you can” works better than you think.

This change might feel inconvenient, but it’s a small price for enhanced payment security. Over time, most users will adapt without much trouble.

Impact on UPI Fraud Prevention and Online Payment Security

The UPI fraud prevention update is the core reason behind this decision. Fraudsters exploited P2P collect by sending fake requests labeled as refunds, cashback offers, or urgent payments.

Why removal helps:

• No unsolicited payment requests means scammers can’t “push” fake demands into your app.
• All money transfers now require active consent from the sender.
• Users are forced to verify payment details before sending money, reducing “accidental” fraud.

But fraud prevention doesn’t end here:
Even with this change, scams like phishing links, fake merchant IDs, and social engineering remain threats. NPCI is expected to roll out additional safety features, such as AI fraud alerts and biometric UPI authentication.

Alternatives to the UPI P2P Collect Request Feature in 2025

Losing a feature doesn’t mean losing convenience—there are several secure alternatives to the collect request:

• Direct UPI Transfers — Using the payer’s UPI app to send money to your UPI ID or phone number.
• QR Code Payments — Ideal for face-to-face transactions; faster and less error-prone than typing UPI IDs.
• Payment Links — Some apps generate a unique payment link you can send via SMS or chat.
• Bill Splitting Apps — Keep track of shared expenses and settle manually.

The focus is now shifting to “push” transactions—the sender controls the money flow, which means far fewer fraud possibilities.

Merchant Collect vs P2P Collect — Understanding the Difference in UPI

It’s important to understand that merchant collect requests are staying, but P2P collect requests are going away.

This table makes it clear why NPCI is only removing one type—the risk profile between the two is vastly different.

Timeline and Key Dates for UPI P2P Collect Request Removal

NPCI has provided a clear roadmap:

• Mid-2025 — Official announcement made.
• July–Sept 2025 — Awareness campaigns, app updates, and transition guides.
• September 30, 2025 — Final day P2P collect requests will work.
• October 1, 2025 — Feature officially disabled on all UPI apps.

If you use the feature regularly, it’s wise to start adjusting now instead of waiting until the last day.

How Banks and UPI Apps Are Preparing for the Collect Request Discontinuation

App updates are already in motion. Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM are all rolling out gradual changes to phase out collect requests. Expect:

• Tutorials showing alternative ways to request payments
• Removal of collect request buttons in UI
• Pop-up alerts informing users about the change

Banks are also tightening fraud detection tools, adding extra verification for unusual transfers, and running awareness campaigns to reach users in urban and rural areas alike.

Impact on Rural Users and First-Time Digital Payment Adopters

This change might hit new UPI users hardest—especially in rural areas—because the collect request was simple for those who didn’t know how to send money.

To bridge this gap:

• Training programs by banks, NPCI, and government agencies will be key.
• Simple guides in regional languages will help smooth the transition.
• Community outreach (via self-help groups or local kiosks) can ensure no one is left behind.

Without education, fraudsters could exploit confusion during this transition period, so awareness is critical.

Potential Downsides of UPI P2P Collect Feature Removal

While the UPI fraud prevention benefits are undeniable, there are a few drawbacks:

• Reduced convenience for bill-splitting and small informal payments.
• Adjustment period for users who heavily relied on the feature.
• More steps involved in some transactions, especially for non-tech-savvy users.

Still, the trade-off is worthwhile if it saves thousands of people from losing money to scams.

The Bigger Picture — NPCI’s Role in UPI Payment Changes

This move shows NPCI’s proactive approach to digital payment security. In recent years, they’ve also:

• Introduced UPI Lite for faster small-value payments
• Limited transaction amounts to reduce fraud impact
• Enhanced authentication for high-value transfers

The removal of P2P collect requests is just one step in a broader security roadmap for India’s digital economy.

Final Thoughts — Preparing for the October 1, 2025 UPI Changes

The UPI P2P Collect Request removal is not the end of convenience—it’s the start of safer, more secure transactions.

Action plan:

1. Save and share your QR code now.
2. Practice payer-initiated transactions early.
3. Educate friends and family—especially those less familiar with UPI.

By the time October 1, 2025 arrives, you’ll already be ready.

FAQs