NPCI Launched BHIM 3.0 – New Features For UPI Payments, Better Security and Instant In-App Payments

Highlights

  • BHIM 3.0 is launched with improved features including bill splitting, shared expense tracking, a built-in assistant and more.
  • The new update also integrates BHIM Vega for instant in-app payments and plans to expand beyond personal transactions to B2B payment solutions.
  • BHIM 3.0 will roll out in April 2025.
  • It is available for Android and iOS via Google Play and Apple App Store.

Caption – BHIM 3.0 is scheduled to roll out starting next month. (Image credit – Mint)

NPCI Bhim Services Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched BHIM 3.0, bringing new features to make UPI payments easier and more convenient. Here’s everything that you should know about the BHIM 3.0 app.

BHIM 3.0 – What’s New?

The latest update introduces several user-friendly features, including:

  • Bill Splitting – Easily split expenses with friends and family.
  • Shared Expense Tracking – Keep track of shared payments and assign specific contributions.
  • Built-in Assistant – Get reminders for pending bills linked to the app.
  • Spend Analysis – Get a breakdown of all the expenses
  • Optimised for Low Network – Optimised to work on low and unstable internet connections

The new BHIM 3.0 app also comes with stronger encryption and security upgrades, protecting users from financial fraud and harmful apps.

Additionally, NPCI aims to expand BHIM’s role beyond personal transactions by collaborating with banks to offer B2B payment solutions, an area that has seen less focus until now.

BHIM Vega – Instant In-App Payments

A major highlight of BHIM 3.0 is BHIM Vega, an in-app payment system that lets users pay merchants instantly within the app, without switching to third-party apps.

Speaking at the launch, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) executive director Vivek Deep emphasised the importance of customer satisfaction and a strong support system to retain users.

“Efforts should continue to be focused on monitoring customer satisfaction and ensuring that suitable address mechanism is available to those who are already onboarded so that they do not move away to other places,” Deep said.

NPCI Bhim Services CEO Lalitha Nataraj is optimistic about the app’s growth.

“See, when you put up a clean UI UX and give a customer experience, there will be an organic growth in market share. And we will continue working on retention, because all this while, we were not putting this out as a commercial app, we were looking at it more as a reference app. So I’m sure organic acquisitions and retentions will continue. And as we see the adoption, then we will be able to draw out a meaningful business plan,” Nataraj said.

BHIM 3.0 App – Rollout and Availability

BHIM 3.0 will start rolling out in April 2025 in a phased manner. Users can update the app on Android and iOS via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

BHIM has played a key role in India’s digital payments revolution since its launch in December 2016. As of February 2025, the app reportedly processed 42 million transactions worth ₹8,731.10 crore.

FAQs

Q1. What new features does BHIM 3.0 offer?

Answer. BHIM 3.0 introduces features like bill splitting, shared expense tracking, a built-in assistant for payment reminders, and stronger encryption for enhanced security.

Q2. What is BHIM Vega, and how does it improve UPI payments?

Answer. BHIM Vega is an in-app payment system in BHIM 3.0, allowing users to pay merchants instantly within the app without switching to third-party platforms.

Q3. When will BHIM 3.0 be available, and where can users access it?

Answer. BHIM 3.0 will roll out in April 2025, and users can update the app via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for Android and iOS devices.

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