Key Highlights:
UPI Down: Digital payment systems across India faced a major disruption today as UPI services went down, affecting millions of users and multiple apps. From early morning hours, users of platforms like PhonePe, Google Pay, and bank UPI services reported failed transactions and login issues, sparking widespread concern.
What Happened?
On April 12, 2025, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) users began experiencing transaction failures, delays in payment confirmations, and intermittent downtimes across various platforms. The issue appeared to be widespread and not confined to any single bank or app.
Reports indicate that the disruptions began in the early morning hours and peaked around 8 AM IST. Many users took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to complain about failed transactions and not being able to make even small routine payments.
Apps & Banks Affected
Here’s a quick look at the platforms impacted:
- PhonePe – Thousands of users reported being unable to send or receive money.
- Google Pay – Transaction failures and app timeouts were widely reported.
- Paytm – Though less impacted, intermittent transaction errors occurred.
- HDFC Bank – Scheduled maintenance from 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM led to temporary UPI downtime.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank – Maintenance from 1:00 AM to 4:00 AM affected multiple services including UPI and net banking.
“We are currently facing some technical issues. Our team is working on resolving them as soon as possible,” said a spokesperson from PhonePe.
Why Did the Outage Happen?
While no single cause has been confirmed for the widespread UPI failure, part of the disruption is attributed to scheduled maintenance activities by major banks like HDFC and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
However, the scale and timing of the issue suggest a possible technical glitch or overload within the broader UPI network infrastructure managed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
As of this report, NPCI has not issued an official statement regarding a systemic outage.
User Reactions & Frustrations
The outage couldn’t have come at a worse time for many users, with today being a weekend shopping day. Small businesses and retailers that rely heavily on digital payments expressed their anger over lost transactions.
Some common user complaints included:
- QR code scans not responding
- Payments stuck in “processing” stage
- Balance deduction without merchant confirmation
- Inability to link bank accounts for UPI
Official Responses So Far
- PhonePe and Google Pay have both acknowledged service interruptions and promised a swift resolution.
- HDFC Bank posted an alert prior to its scheduled maintenance but didn’t account for the wider UPI impact.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank reassured customers that services would resume post-maintenance window, which they did—but not without hiccups.
What You Can Do If You’re Affected
If you’re one of the many users affected by the outage, here’s what you can do:
- Wait and retry later: Systems are gradually being restored.
- Check bank alerts: Follow your bank’s app or website for updates.
- Use alternate payment methods: Switch to debit/credit cards or net banking where possible.
- Avoid repeated attempts: Too many failed tries can flag your account for suspicious activity.
Is the UPI System Back Online?
As of 3 PM IST, services have started to resume in phases. However, intermittent issues may continue throughout the day. Some banks and apps are still experiencing minor delays, especially during peak usage hours.
The UPI outage on April 12 has highlighted just how deeply embedded digital payment systems are in the lives of Indians. While the downtime is temporary, the impact—especially on small businesses and everyday users—has been substantial. As India moves further into a cashless economy, maintaining robust and reliable UPI infrastructure is more crucial than ever.
Stay tuned to Hindustan Herald for real-time updates on this developing story.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald
