What is VPA in UPI Payment?

The world today is full of possibilities, and each individual intends to make the most out of them in their own way. This excellency requires transactions to be exchanged at a faster pace, hence, the introduction of VPA in UPI or Virtual Payment Account in Unified Payment Interface. UPI VPA means a person can make money-related transactions directly through their bank account using an ID or a virtual address. This eliminates the need to have the beneficiary’s bank account number, the IFSC or even physically visit the bank.

Step into the world of digital transactions with this blog and get an answer to ‘What is VPA in UPI?’

What is VPA in UPI?

Virtual Payment Account, the VPA full form in UPI, is a unique ID provided to a person to help track their account activity registered under UPI or Unified Interface Payment. VPA allows an easy flow of transactions as your bank account, or other details do not govern the ID. Users no longer need to fill in any account-related information to make payments. However, UPI-enabled applications must be used for a person to send or receive money using a VPA. 

VPA in UPI payment does not require you to provide bank account details like account number, IFSC Code, beneficiary name etc. VPA in UPI looks something like ABC@bank. This can be broken down into two parts – ‘ABC’ can denote either your name or contact number, and ‘bank’ can denote the name of the bank you have an account with or the bank name associated with the app you are using. 

How Do I Create a VPA in UPI?

The UPI app used by a person typically provides them with a VPA. However, some apps allow you to create your own VPA for UPI. Follow the below-mentioned steps to create a VPA in UPI:

• Install an application that supports UPI
• The application will ask you for a contact number at which an OTP will be sent. This mobile number must be registered with your bank account.
• Once you have entered the OTP, set up the APP by filling out the details of your bank account 
• The app will assign you a VPA on its own, which will be displayed once you complete the above step. 
• The dialogue showcasing the VPA of UPI allows you to make edits to it. You can change the first half of the address. 
• Select ‘Save’ once you are done
• The next step is to link VPA to your bank account 
• You can submit details once the verification is complete.

It must be noted that each UPI app has its own set of steps to create a VPA in UPI. 

Uses and Benefits of VPA

VPA in UPI possesses multiple benefits other than putting an end to filling out bank details every time you make a transaction. The uses and benefits of VPA in UPI payments are:

• Paying no heed to the bank hours and holidays, VPA allows you to make transactions anytime, anywhere
• It obliterates the beneficiary registration process
• It makes quick transactions 
• Making payments through NEFT, IMPS or RTGS sometimes charges a fee. VPA UPI does not have transaction charges. 
• One VPA can be linked to multiple accounts.
• UPI VPA means payment is made by entering the beneficiary’s VPA, amount and remark.
• The interface is user-friendly and convenient to use
• It is perceived as the economical choice
• Multiple accounts being linked to a single VPA allows you to make transactions through the account you want 
• It ensures safety as no party can get a hold of information like bank name, mobile number or any other severe details.
• The money is protected through a secured gateway when a transaction is processed.

How do I find my VPA UPI?

Knowing your VPA in UPI payment is necessary to ensure that the transaction takes place with the correct person. You can use the following steps to find your VPA UPI:

• Log in to the UPI app
• On the corner, you shall find a profile menu
• Your VPA of UPI will be visible there; however, if you have multiple VPAs, then tap on the displayed VPA 
• All VPAs will be displayed 

How to Change UPI VPA?

You can make changes to your VPA in UPI by following the below-mentioned steps:

• Log in to your UPI app. 
• Go to the menu and select ‘Settings.’
• Select ‘Edit UPI ID’
• Make the changes you want to and click on ‘Save.’
• The changes will be applied

Example of VPA

The following example will help better answer the question – what is VPA in UPI transactions?

Suppose you wish to send INR 20,000 from your account in YES Bank to your friend with an account in Axis Bank. You log in to the UPI app and enter their VPA, 1234567890@axis. The amount instantly gets debited from your account and credited to theirs. 

Here, 1234567890 depicts their mobile number, and Axis depict the bank they have an account with. 

How Do VPA Transactions Work?

VPA in UPI payment is used to send and receive money. The process of doing so is explained in this section.

Sending Money

UPI has been revolutionary for the banking sector. To make a payment to a person, you must acquire their VPA first. After that, follow these steps:

• Log in to the UPI app you will use to transfer the money
• Navigate to ‘Fund Transfer through UPI’ 
• Enter the payee’s VPA and mention the money you want to send
• Enter remarks for a better understanding of the transaction
• In case you have multiple bank accounts linked to your VPA, select the one you want the said amount to be debited from
• Authenticate the details you have entered and complete the payment by entering the MPIN

Receiving Money

Receiving money through UPI allows instant credit in your bank account. The steps to do so are:

• Install the UPI app and log in
• Locate UPI and select ‘Collect via UPI.’
• Enter the VPA of the payer
• Provide the amount of money desired and enter remarks
• Select the VPA UPI you wish to receive money in
• Submit the request and wait for the payer to approve it on their end
• Once the payer accepts the request, the amount will be credited to your account

What is the difference between VPA and UPI?

Virtual Payment Address or VPA is a unique ID used to make a payment or receive money through UPI. In contrast, the Unified Payment Interface or UPI, is a means of making a transaction without going through the banking ordeal. VPA is a part of UPI, without which transactions through UPI would not be possible. 

UPI VPA Payment Vs Bank Account Transfer

There are a few basic differences between VPA UPI payment and bank account transfer. They are:

• UPI payment does not require bank account details, unlike bank account transfer
• UPI transactions are much more convenient and time-saving than bank account transfer
• Bank account transfer is a method of transferring money through instruments like NEFT, IMPS or RTGS. In contrast, using a mobile application, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transfers money from one account to another.
• The transaction limit of UPI is INR 1 lakh for KYC users, whereas bank account transfer allows transactions without any lid on top.
• Conventional bank account transfers require a person to enter various account details multiple times. Transactions via VPA UPI have no such requirement; only VPA, amount and a remark are required.

VPA Suffixes of a Few Common Banks

VPA combines two things – one represents the person’s details, and the other represents the bank. Therefore, each bank uses its unique initials as ID. A few of the VPA suffixes of a few common banks are:

• SBI Pay: @SBI
• PNB UPI: @PNB
• Axis bank: @axis
• Bank of Baroda: @barodapay
• HDFC Bank UPI: @HDFC
• Yes Bank: @YBL
• BHIM: @UPI 
• Paytm Payment Bank – @paytm
• Google Pay (Tez) – Suffixes depend upon your bank.

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