We’re living in a digital-first world. But what happens when the internet isn’t playing along. Especially in small towns and rural areas, slow or no internet can turn the simplest task, like sending money, into a total headache.
But there’s exciting news. If you’ve ever faced that annoying “No internet” message while trying to pay for groceries, recharge your phone, or send money to someone, your life’s about to get a whole lot easier.
Introducing UPI Lite X – Send Money Offline
UPI Lite X is a groundbreaking product introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Even without an internet connection, it enables you to make UPI payments.
No joke. No Wi-Fi? No mobile data? No problem.
This new feature uses a tech called NFC (Near Field Communication), the same thing that lets you tap your phone at metro gates or in some malls. With NFC turned on and the UPI app set up, you can now tap your phone against someone else’s device and make the payment right then and there. No waiting, no spinning circles. Your Lite account is debited, and theirs is credited. All offline.
And guess what, the transaction is instant.
Don’t Have a Smartphone with NFC? You’ve Got Options Too
Thinking your phone’s too basic for all this? Recall. You can use UPI offline to make payments even if you have a simple feature phone, one that has a keypad instead of a touch screen. No apps, no data required.
Quick UPI Access via 99# USSD Code
Simply open the dial pad and enter *99# via your registered mobile number with your bank account. A simple menu will pop up. From there, you can:
Send or receive money
Check your account balance
See your last few transactions
No app. No data. Just plain old mobile magic. It’s perfect for people who don’t use smartphones or have patchy internet. It’s a small update with a big impact, especially in remote areas.
Supported by 83 Banks and Growing
You might be surprised to know this isn’t just a beta test. It’s already been rolled out by 83 banks across India and supported by four telecom networks. That means millions of people can use it right now. It works in 13 different languages, including Hindi and English.
One small catch, with the *99# method, you can transfer up to ₹5,000 per transaction. But for most everyday things, that’s more than enough.
Why This Matters
Let’s be real, digital payments aren’t just convenient anymore, they’re necessary. From paying the milkman to sending money to your kid’s school, UPI has become the backbone of day-to-day transactions. And now, the fact that you can do it without the internet. That represents a significant advancement in financial inclusion.