UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26th March 2025

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NPCI Launches BHIM 3.0 with Enhanced Features

Why in News?

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), through its subsidiary NPCI BHIM Services Ltd. (NBSL), has launched BHIM 3.0, an upgraded version of the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app. This move is aimed at enhancing user experience, promoting financial inclusion, and empowering merchants amid India’s growing digital economy.

Introduction to BHIM

BHIM was launched in 2016 as a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based mobile payment app to promote cashless transactions.
It has become a critical component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and digital economy.
BHIM 3.0 marks a transformative shift—from a basic UPI app to a comprehensive digital financial assistant.

Key Features of BHIM 3.0

For Individual Users:

Multilingual Support: Available in 15+ Indian languages to improve regional access.
Low-Internet Functionality: Works even in low-connectivity areas, aiding rural and semi-urban users.
Spending Dashboard: Categorises and tracks monthly expenses.
Bill-Splitting & Shared Expenses: Useful for families and roommates managing joint finances.
Task Assistant: Sends alerts on due payments, UPI Lite balance, and pending tasks.

For Merchants:

BHIM Vega: An in-app payment gateway designed for online platforms.
No Dependency on Third-party Apps: Simplifies checkouts, increases payment conversion rates.
Tailored for MSMEs: Empowers small businesses to adopt digital payments easily.

Strategic Significance

Financial Inclusion & Literacy:

- Tools like budgeting, dashboards, and payment reminders help users plan and manage finances, especially first-time users of digital finance.
- Promotes family-centric financial tools, a growing trend in Indian fintech.

India as a DPI Leader:

- BHIM 3.0 exemplifies India’s model of scalable, inclusive digital public infrastructure.
- Enhances India’s soft power globally as countries like Singapore, UAE, and France seek to emulate the UPI model.

Merchant Empowerment:

- BHIM Vega helps transform BHIM into a B2B payment platform, competing with private fintech giants.
- Encourages MSME digital adoption by reducing barriers and offering integrated, cost-effective tools.

BHIM 3.0 vs Earlier Versions – Comparison

Functionality:
Earlier versions focused mainly on basic UPI transactions (send/receive money), while BHIM 3.0 transforms the app into a comprehensive personal finance assistant.
Internet Connectivity:
Previous versions required strong internet; BHIM 3.0 works even in low-connectivity areas, aiding rural users.
User Interface:
Earlier versions had basic UI; BHIM 3.0 offers an intuitive dashboard, task assistant, and smart alerts.
Financial Tools:
BHIM 3.0 adds expense tracking, bill splitting, and shared payment features, absent in earlier versions.
Language Accessibility:
Earlier versions supported fewer languages; BHIM 3.0 is available in 15+ Indian languages.
Merchant Features:
New BHIM Vega enables in-app payments for online platforms, which earlier versions lacked.
Target Users:
Earlier versions were user-centric; BHIM 3.0 caters to both individuals and merchants, including MSMEs.

Conclusion

BHIM 3.0 represents a major leap in India’s digital payment ecosystem. It strengthens financial inclusion, boosts user engagement through smart tools, and positions BHIM as a viable competitor in the digital payments space. It also reinforces India’s role as a global Digital Public Infrastructure innovator, making it a case study for developing economies seeking scalable, inclusive fintech solutions.