Indian Overseas Bank Unveils Voice-Based UPI 123Pay: Now Make Digital Payments Without Internet

Indian Overseas Bank introduces UPI 123Pay for feature phone users
In a major step toward inclusive digital banking, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched a new payment feature that enables customers to make UPI payments without the need for internet access. The initiative, developed in partnership with Network People Service Technology Limited (NPST), introduces a voice-based digital payment system called UPI 123Pay — designed especially for people using feature phones or those with limited access to smartphones and the internet.

This new facility, created in collaboration with MissCallPay, aims to bring millions of unconnected users into the digital economy. According to recent estimates, India still has nearly 850 million people who have not yet adopted UPI, out of which around 400 million use feature phones. Many smartphone users also face challenges in navigating app-based interfaces, leaving a significant population excluded from seamless digital transactions.

How UPI 123Pay Works

UPI 123Pay allows users to make digital payments without an internet connection. The process is remarkably simple:

• The user gives a missed call to a pre-assigned number provided by the bank.

• The system then automatically calls back via IVR (Interactive Voice Response).

• During the IVR call, users can enter the transaction amount and their UPI PIN to authorize the payment.

• The entire process can be completed using voice commands or basic keypad input — no smartphone apps or data needed.

This innovative payment system ensures that even those in remote areas or with limited technical know-how can participate in India’s growing digital payments ecosystem.

Key Features and Benefits

One of the standout advantages of UPI 123Pay is that it functions without internet or mobile data, reducing dependency on connectivity and minimizing cybersecurity risks. This makes transactions more secure and convenient, especially for rural and elderly users.

The service supports 12 major Indian languages, ensuring ease of access for users across the country. Apart from making payments, users can also:

• Check their account balance

• View the last five transactions

• Change their UPI PIN

• Register complaints

• Resume incomplete transactions seamlessly

This all-in-one solution has the potential to transform how feature phone users interact with digital payments.

A Step Toward a More Inclusive Digital India

Deepak Chand Thakur, Chairman and Managing Director of NPST, emphasized that voice-based UPI marks a significant step toward building an inclusive digital economy. According to him, this system will help connect individuals who have remained on the fringes of technological advancements.

He also revealed that future versions of UPI 123Pay will be integrated with AI-based voice platforms such as Alexa and Google Assistant to make transactions even easier. With such upgrades, every individual—regardless of their device or technical knowledge—will be able to experience the benefits of digital payments.

Empowering India’s Unbanked and Underconnected

The introduction of UPI 123Pay by Indian Overseas Bank reflects India’s continued progress in bridging the digital divide. By providing a simple, safe, and internet-free method of digital payment, the bank is expanding financial inclusion to millions who were previously dependent on cash transactions.

This initiative not only supports the government’s Digital India mission but also ensures that digital payments reach every section of society, including rural and low-income populations.

As India moves toward becoming a cashless economy, the launch of UPI 123Pay serves as a major milestone—bringing the convenience of digital transactions to every corner of the country, one voice command at a time.