UPI Circle Activation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing UPI Securely

Published on: 4th Sep 2026

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completely transformed the digital payment landscape in India. Taking this financial revolution a step further, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced 'UPI Circle'—a delegation feature designed to let primary bank account holders share their UPI payment capabilities with trusted secondary users, such as children, elderly parents, or domestic staff. If you want to provide financial independence to your loved ones without opening separate bank accounts, understanding the UPI Circle activation process is your first step. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up and use this feature securely. Scroll down to read more

What is UPI Circle and How Does It Work?

UPI Circle is an innovative feature that allows a primary UPI user to link a secondary user to their bank account for digital transactions. This is particularly useful for dependents who may not have their own bank accounts or debit cards. The feature operates under two distinct delegation modes:

• Full Delegation (Approve Every Payment): The secondary user initiates a payment transaction, but it only goes through once the primary user approves it on their device in real-time.
• Partial Delegation (Pre-approved Limits): The primary user sets a specific monthly spending limit for the secondary user (up to Rs 15,000 per month, with a maximum of Rs 5,000 per transaction). The secondary user can make payments instantly within this limit without requiring real-time approvals.

Prerequisites for the UPI Circle Activation Process

Before initiating the activation process, ensure you meet the following basic requirements:

• Active UPI App: The primary user must have an updated UPI-enabled application (such as BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm) linked to their active bank account.
• Secondary User's Details: You will need the secondary user's mobile number or UPI ID.
• App on Secondary Device: The secondary user must also have a UPI app installed on their smartphone to accept the invitation and initiate payments.

Step-by-Step UPI Circle Activation Process

Setting up UPI Circle is quick and secure. Follow these steps to complete the activation process:

1. Open Your UPI App: Launch your preferred UPI application on your smartphone and navigate to your profile or settings menu.
2. Locate UPI Circle: Look for the 'UPI Circle' or 'Delegate Payment' option and tap on it.
3. Add a New Member: Click on 'Add Member' or 'Link Family Member' and enter the secondary user's mobile number or UPI ID, or select them directly from your contacts list.
4. Choose Delegation Type: Select either 'Full Delegation' (requiring your approval for every transaction) or 'Partial Delegation' (setting a monthly limit up to Rs 15,000).
5. Authenticate the Request: Confirm the setup by entering your secure UPI PIN. This will send an invitation link to the secondary user.
6. Acceptance by Secondary User: The secondary user must open their UPI app, view the pending invitation, and accept it. Once accepted, the UPI Circle link is successfully established.

Key Benefits and Security Controls of UPI Circle

The UPI Circle feature is built with robust security protocols to ensure the safety of your hard-earned money:

• Complete Control: Primary users can modify transaction limits or revoke secondary user access instantly at any time.
• Transaction Tracking: Every payment made by the secondary user is logged and visible to the primary user in real-time.
• Cooling-off Period: To prevent fraud, NPCI mandates a 30-minute cooling-off period after activation, during which transactions may be restricted or limited.

The UPI Circle activation process is a simple yet powerful way to extend the convenience of digital payments to your family members safely. By acting as the financial anchor, you can empower your dependents with digital transaction capabilities while maintaining absolute control over your funds. Set up UPI Circle today and take a step forward in simplifying your family's daily expenses.