By Team Ys
You鈥檙e immersed in a Teams call when your teen barges in: 鈥淢om, those textbooks I forgot to buy all semester? I need them today!鈥 Just minutes later, your mom messages saying she鈥檚 almost out of her BP medicines 鈥 but navigating digital payment apps still feels overwhelming to her. And then there鈥檚 Sunita didi, who keeps the house running like clockwork 鈥 she鈥檚 out buying groceries for the week but has to call you from the checkout line because she can鈥檛 pay directly from her own phone.
These small but everyday moments play out in homes across India. Whether it鈥檚 your mom, house help, or kids 鈥 you often find yourself stepping in to make payments on their behalf. The truth is, not everyone has a bank account, and many users, especially those from older age groups, are still not familiar with using digital payment apps.
So here we are in 2025, with some user sets still relying on cash, while others field those 鈥淐an you just do it for me?鈥 calls 鈥 always when they鈥檙e right in the middle of something important.
That鈥檚 where UPI Circle comes in! Whether it鈥檚 mom picking up medicines, Sunita didi buying groceries, or your college-going son paying for books, UPI Circle lets you empower trusted individuals to make secure payments鈥攚ithout needing their own bank accounts. This feature gives them the freedom to pay when needed, while you stay fully in control.
It鈥檚 a smarter and simpler way to manage everyday payments!
Let鈥檚 explore five stories that show how UPI Circle is quietly transforming lives across India, one payment at a time.
Supporting parents effortlessly
In their 70s, Mr and Mrs Gupta cherish their visits to the local market but have always been hesitant about digital payments. Their son, Samarth, living in Bangalore, introduced them to UPI Circle. Now, they can initiate payments for groceries or medicines, and Samarth approves each one remotely鈥攇iving them confidence to go cashless with his support.
Now when Mrs Gupta scans a QR code for mangoes, Samarth receives a payment alert鈥斺溾偣200 – Fruit Stall.鈥 This thoughtful setup lets the Guptas shop with confidence, preserving their independence while keeping their son close, no matter the distance.
Empowering students, one transaction at a time
Ananya, a college freshman living away from home, didn鈥檛 have a bank account鈥攕o every time she needed money for daily expenses, it meant calling her parents and waiting for a transfer. Wanting to make things simpler, her mother added her to her UPI Circle.
Now, Ananya can pay for everything from hostel meals to stationery using her mother鈥檚 bank account, without needing one of her own. It鈥檚 cashless, seamless, and has brought both convenience and independence into Ananya鈥檚 everyday life. And the best part? Every transaction is recorded, so there鈥檚 no forgotten spending or manual tracking later – just a clear view of where the money is going, all in one place!
The driver鈥檚 cashless convenience
Mohan drives for Mr Sharma鈥檚 car rental business, where managing cash for fuel and tolls used to be a daily hassle. Tracking expenses was a constant challenge鈥攗ntil UPI Circle. Now, Mr Sharma simply empowers Mohan to make direct payments at petrol pumps and toll booths via QR codes, effortlessly and with no manual follow-ups.
Mohan now travels hassle-free, making payments on the go, while Mr Sharma gets instant notifications and can approve requests directly – no more QR code approvals or last-minute phone calls for permissions. This simple setup is transforming how small businesses manage expenses – streamlining operations, reducing cash dependency, and giving owners more control without constant coordination.
The house help鈥檚 digital ease
Shreya, a busy professional, used to scramble to arrange cash for her house help, Lakshmi, often resorting to last-minute transfers for grocery runs. With UPI Circle, she now sends money seamlessly whenever needed鈥攚ithout worrying about limits or delays.
Now, Lakshmi confidently scans QR codes at the market, paying for vegetables and other essentials with ease. Shreya receives instant notifications showing the amount, merchant name, and that Lakshmi made the payment鈥攂ringing complete transparency to the process! This simple shift not only builds trust but also empowers domestic workers across the country, reducing daily dependence on cash.
A small shop鈥檚 modern upgrade
Ramesh runs a busy kirana store and often needs his staff member, Prakash, to pay suppliers. Earlier, this meant either handing over cash or transferring money to someone else鈥檚 account each time鈥攁 repetitive, time-consuming process. With UPI Circle, Ramesh added Prakash as a trusted member, enabling him to make payments directly to wholesalers using Ramesh鈥檚 bank account鈥攅ven though Prakash doesn’t have one of his own.
Now, Ramesh simply approves each transaction on his app, bringing ease, control, and transparency to everyday operations. Unlike cash, where it鈥檚 hard to track where the money goes, every digital payment shows the exact merchant details – so nothing can be faked or misreported. It鈥檚 a smarter, more accountable way to manage spending.
A network of trust and opportunity
From Lakshmi鈥檚 grocery runs to Mohan鈥檚 business trips, UPI Circle is helping your loved ones 鈥 those who鈥檝e been hesitant or left out of the digital payments wave 鈥 finally become part of India鈥檚 digital payments story. With real-time tracking, built-in spending controls, and strong security, UPI Circle acts as a trusted, dependable wallet 鈥 not just for you, but for everyone in your circle.
In a step towards solving everyday challenges faced by unbanked and semi-digital users, PhonePe recently launched UPI Circle. More than just a payment tool, it鈥檚 a way to empower the people you trust to embrace the digital world with confidence鈥攅ven when they don鈥檛 have a bank account. With UPI Circle, unbanked dependents can make secure UPI payments using your account, while you stay in control every step of the way.
Take the first step toward financial simplicity and security, and help those around you thrive in a connected, cashless ecosystem.