The digital payments service PhonePe has unveiled the introduction of UPI Circle on its app. This new feature enables users to handle payments for family members and other trusted contacts. Users can now create a payment group where the main account holder can approve transactions for others, even if those members lack a bank account connected to UPI.

This capability enables dependents—like kids, household employees, or elderly relatives—to perform digital transactions with their own UPI ID, while the main user maintains full oversight. They have the ability to approve or reject payment requests, monitor expenses, access transaction history, and add or remove members from the circle whenever they wish.

"UPI Circle is a significant step forward in extending the ease and convenience of digital payments for those who are underbanked and those new to the ecosystem. Integrating UPI Circle into the PhonePe app aligns perfectly with our vision f democratising digital payments and making financial services accessible to all," says  Sonika Chandra, chief business officer, consumer payments, PhonePe.

According to reports, payment apps like Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and BHIM had started pilot trials in September 2024 after the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced this feature.

IPO‑bound fintech start-up PhonePe retained its leading position in the UPI market in March, processing 864.7 crore transactions, accounting for 47.25 percent of total UPI transactions. On a month‑over‑month (MoM) basis, this reflected a 0.28 percent decrease in market share from 765.6 crore transactions.

PhonePe handled a total transaction value of Rs 12.57 lakh crore during the month. In terms of transaction value, the Walmart‑backed fintech company accounted for 50.74 percent of the total UPI transaction volume in March 2025.

 

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Overall, UPI transactions in the country hit a new high of 18.30 billion in March, recovering from a 5 percent drop to 16.11 billion in February. March's transaction value totaled Rs 24.77 lakh crore, a 12.8 percentmonth‑on‑month (MoM) increase from Rs 21.96 lakh crore in February.