Key Points:
- Nationwide UPI Disruption: Thousands of users report failed transactions on platforms like Google Pay, Paytm, and SBI.
- Spike in Complaints: Downdetector reveals 64% complaints about fund transfer failures, 28% about payment issues, and 8% about app malfunctions.
- Social Media Outrage: Users express frustration over delayed refunds, app crashes, and money deductions without confirmation.
- No Official Statement Yet: NPCI and banks remain silent on the cause of the outage.
New Delhi: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services faced a massive outage across India on Wednesday evening, leaving millions unable to complete digital transactions. Popular platforms like Google Pay, Paytm, and State Bank of India (SBI) were among the worst affected. According to Downdetector, complaints surged sharply around 7 PM as users reported issues with fund transfers, payments, and app functionality.
Breakdown of Complaints
Data from Downdetector shows:
- 64% of complaints were related to fund transfer failures.
- 28% reported general payment issues.
- 8% faced app-related problems.
SBI customers were particularly hit hard:
- 57% reported fund transfer failures.
- 34% faced mobile banking issues.
- 9% struggled with account balance updates.
Social Media Backlash
Frustrated users took to social media to vent their anger. Many complained about failed transactions, delayed refunds, and app crashes. Some even reported that money was deducted from their accounts without being credited to the recipient. Memes and posts criticizing the reliability of UPI services quickly went viral.
Recurring Issue
This is not the first time UPI has faced such disruptions. A similar outage occurred on March 26, causing widespread inconvenience. Despite the growing reliance on UPI for daily transactions, such technical glitches raise concerns about its stability.
No Official Response
As of now, neither the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which manages UPI infrastructure, nor major banks have issued an official statement explaining the cause of the outage. Preliminary reports suggest a technical glitch or server overload may be responsible.
What Can Users Do?
Until services stabilize, users are advised to:
- Monitor updates from NPCI and their respective banks.
- Use alternative payment methods like debit/credit cards or net banking.
- Avoid retrying failed transactions immediately to prevent duplicate charges.
The disruption highlights India’s heavy dependence on digital payments and underscores the need for robust infrastructure to ensure seamless transactions.
