Hello!UPI; A Voice-Enabled Online Payment Launched in India

Shaktikant Das, the Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced the introduction of Hello!UPI at the Global Fintech Festival held in Mumbai. This groundbreaking innovation is a result of collaboration between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and IIT Madras' A14 Bharat Bhashini Program which has developed payment models in both Hindi and Engish. This innovative voice-enabled online payment system is poised to simplify money transactions and will broaden financial inclusion across the nation.

With this new feature, India is set to transform the traditional way of digital payments. The voice-enabled UPI payments mark a significant leap in simplifying digital transactions for millions of Indians. It is expected to be particularly beneficial for senior citizens, individuals with limited digital literacy, and those who are more comfortable with regional languages than English.

Using Voice Command for hassle-free transactions

This new voice-enabled feature is remarkably simple to use. Users can initiate UPI transactions by providing voice commands and entering their UPI PIN (Personal Identification Number) to complete their payment.

Two Operational Modes

The new voice-enabled feature of the UPI system offers users two modes of operation, that is, On-call and In-App.

• On Call:- The users of Hello!UPI can initiate voice-based transactions through their regular phone calls. This operation is preferable for those who are comfortable making payments over their phone.

• In-App:- This operation mode can be used within UPI applications. Users can utilize voice inputs, the device will recognize and respond to voice commands and can streamline the payment within the app.

What is the technology used behind Hello!UPI?

The implementation of this voice-enabled UPI involves a number of sophisticated technological processes that include

• Voice to Digital Conversion
• Automatic Speech Recognition
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Intent Recognition
• Voice Output Confirmation

As India is moving towards a more accurate and inclusive digital payment ecosystem, the voice-enabled UPI feature is expected to be adopted widely among UPI users. This initiative embodies India's commitment to embracing technological advancements while ensuring that the benefits of digital finance are accessible to all.