Google Pay launched Aadhaar based authentication for UPI Transactions:

Google Pay launched Aadhaar based authentication for UPI Transactions Google Pay customers may register for UPI using Aadhaar through the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Google Pay customers will be able to create their UPI PIN without a debit card thanks to the Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding experience. This step is likely to assist consumers in creating UPI IDs and making digital payments. The objective is also to increase financial inclusion. This functionality is now available to bank account holders at approved banks. Users who wish to use UPI using Aadhaar must ensure that (a) their phone number is registered with UIDAI and their bank, and (b) their bank account has Aadhaar connected.

3 Step Process

Users using Google Pay may choose between Debit card and Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding. If they choose Aadhaar, customers must input the first six digits of their Aadhaar number to begin the procedure. Users will input OTPs obtained from UIDAI and their bank to complete the authentication stage. Following that, their individual bank will finish the procedure and they will be able to set their UPI PIN. Customers will subsequently be able to use the Google Pay app to make purchases or check their balance. When a user inputs the first six digits of an Aadhaar number, it is forwarded to UIDAI for validation via NPCI. Google claims that it does not keep the Aadhaar number and rather serves as a conduit for communicating it with the NPCI for confirmation. "We are thrilled to announce UPI activation using Aadhaar-based OTP authentication on Google Pay, bringing simplicity and convenience to our users. This functionality, which is aligned with the Government's objective to achieve financial inclusion, will reinforce our efforts to drive greater adoption of digital payments in India", said Google's Top Management Person.