PNB's UPI 123PAY: Send Money Offline

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched a new service called UPI 123PAY as part of their Digital Payments Vision 2025 initiative. This service allows customers to make payments using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), even without internet access. PNB is the first public sector bank to offer this IVR-based UPI service.

UPI 123PAY aims to simplify UPI transactions for phone users, especially those in areas with limited internet connectivity. It offers four different options for conducting financial transactions: using feature phone apps, missed call-based tactics, calling an IVR number, and proximity sound-based payments.

To use UPI 123PAY, customers can follow these simple steps:

1. Call the bank's IVR number at 9188-123-123.
2. Select the recipient's name for the service.
3. Confirm the transaction with the UPI pin.

The UPI 123PAY service is designed to be user-friendly and is available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and Telugu. This allows customers to use the service in their preferred regional language.

PNB's CEO, Atul Kumar Goel, highlighted that a large portion of India's population resides in rural and semi-urban areas, where cash is still widely used. With a significant number of PNB branches located in these regions, the UPI 123PAY service aims to cater to customers who don't have smartphones or internet access.

Furthermore, the UPI 123PAY service is not limited to PNB customers only; even non-PNB clients can utilize this payment channel. Currently, IVR payments are also available at City Union Bank, IDFC First Bank, and NSDL Payments Bank.

Note: The above content has been simplified and rephrased to remove any plagiarism.