November 25, 2025 · 9 mins read
Santosh Kumar
Ever since the National Payments Corporation of India launched various digital platforms and services, India has seen a steep surge in digital transactions in recent years. Digital payments now account for more than 99% of total payment transaction volume. The various digital payment modes include NEFT, IMPS, RTGS, UPI, debit cards, credit cards, etc. With the rapid increase in digital payments, it is crucial for users to undertake robust security measures to protect their hard-earned money from fraudsters. Some of these safety measures include creating strong passwords, changing these passwords from time to time, updating the various digital platform apps, enabling notifications for each transaction, and avoiding public WiFi as much as possible.
To enhance security with the many digital apps, users have to manage different unique user IDs and unique passwords. These passwords may also be in the form of a PIN (personal identification number), which may be 4 digits or 6 digits.
One such PIN is the UPI PIN, and the other is the MPIN. As they sound almost the same, it is obvious for digital app users to get confused with them. Many may wonder if UPI PIN and MPIN are the same. The answer is no.
UPI PIN is the 4-digit or 6-digit personal identification number that is used to link the bank account of users to a UPI app. Since there are many UPI apps like BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, etc., each UPI app must have a different UPI PIN for added security. It is advisable not to share these UPI PINs with anyone and to keep them as confidential as possible. UPI PINs are used for any payments made through the specific UPI app. UPI PINs are also specific to bank accounts, meaning each bank account must have a unique UPI PIN. As a safety measure, it is recommended not to use the same UPI PIN for multiple bank accounts.
1: Open the preferred UPI app.
2: In bank account settings, select "Set PIN.”
3: Enter debit card details when prompted for verification.
4: Create a new UPI PIN of our choice, typically a 4 4-digit or 6-digit code.
5: Re-enter the UPI PIN for confirmation.
6: UPI PIN is set and ready for use for all UPI transactions.
7: Users must be careful not to use common numbers or birthdays, etc., as their UPI PIN. This may make them vulnerable to cyber fraud.
MPIN, mobile personal identification number, is, on the other hand, the PIN that can be used only in the user’s mobile banking app to authenticate transactions. No transaction of a mobile banking app is complete without the use of MPIN.
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1: Log in to the mobile banking app.
2: Create an MPIN of the user's choice, typically of 4 or 6 digits.
3: The app will ask to re-enter the MPIN.
4: MPIN is set and ready for all future transactions through the mobile banking app.
5: As a robust security measure, some banks will prompt users to change their MPINs from time to time.
6: Having a unique MPIN may be an added security advantage to prevent scammers from stealing our hard-earned money.
Since the answer to whether UPI PIN and MPIN are the same is no, it is recommended that users do not use the same code for UPI PIN and MPIN so that they can enjoy a smooth digital banking experience.
Though there are many similarities between the UPI PIN and MPIN, the answer to whether UPI PIN and MPIN are the same is strictly no. Some of the similarities between UPI PIN and MPIN are:
1: Both UPI PIN and MPIN are 4-digit or 6-digit numbers, depending on the bank, and both add a layer of security to the digital transactions.
2: While UPI PIN is set when the UPI app is linked to the user’s bank account, MPIN is set during the initial login process through internet banking portals.
3: Both UPI PIN and MPIN should never be shared with anyone in order to prevent any financial fraud or unauthorized payments in case the phone is stolen or misplaced. In fact, changing UPI PINs and MPINs periodically from time to time is a good security habit to safeguard our financial transactions. They can be changed online by opening the respective UPI apps or mobile banking apps.
Also Read: Virtual RuPay Cards: Using UPI without Bank Account
The main difference between UPI PIN and MPIN is their difference in functioning on different digital platforms. Knowing the differences between UPI PIN and MPIN may prevent many errors from occurring and help users safeguard their money. Some of the differences are
1: While a UPI PIN is used exclusively on a particular UPI-enabled app, an MPIN can only be used on a specific mobile banking app.
2: UPI PIN is mandatory for UPI transactions, and MPIN is used to approve mobile banking transactions.
3: UPI PIN is used for managing UPI transfers to friends, family, or merchants or businesses. MPIN is used to transfer money from the bank, check the bank statement, check the bank balance, check the transaction status, and perform other mobile banking-related activities.
4: UPI PIN is linked to the user's UPI ID and the user's bank, while MPIN is linked only to the user’s bank account.
5: UPI PIN can be reset only through the specific UPI app, while MPIN can be reset through the mobile banking app.
Users can link their RuPay credit cards to various UPI apps like BHIM and Google Pay and enjoy a plethora of benefits with increased security, rewards, cashbacks, etc. The ZET Credit Card by SBM has the dual benefits of being backed by FD (fixed deposits) as well as being a lifetime free card. It has no annual or joining fees. ZET Credit Card is the only one of its kind that does not need income proof, a good credit score, or any documentation. ZET credit cards are a boon to those who are yet to build their credit history or have a poor credit score. The ZET credit card can be linked easily to the UPI app of the user's choice by selecting the “Add Credit Card” option in the app. Once the ZET Credit Card is verified, users can make both online and offline payments and enjoy a host of rewards like cashbacks, discounts, and many more. The ZET credit card is the ultimate choice of users who want not just safety but also endless rewards.
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In essence, both UPI PIN and MPIN add as a double-layered security for the smooth functioning of the digital financial transactions that users perform on a day-to-day basis. With the number of digital transactions in India skyrocketing, we must have a clear idea of exactly what UPI PIN and MPIN are. To give some clarity to the question as to whether UPI PIN and MPIN are the same, the answer is no. They serve different purposes in one’s digital transaction journey and can never be used interchangeably. They both must be kept private. Their differences lie in how and where they are used. While UPI PIN is used to authorize the UPI-based payments, MPIN is used for mobile banking transactions.
No, UPI PIN and MPIN are not the same. UPI PIN is used for UPI apps, while MPIN is for mobile banking transactions. It is advisable that the UPI PIN and MPIN should never be the same and should be changed from time to time to prevent financial fraud or cyber theft.
As MPIN and UPI have different setups and different functions and are used in different apps, MPIN can never be linked to UPI. MPIN can be used only in the mobile banking app and only for mobile banking transactions.
With so many digital transactions, users have to remember many passwords and PINs; it may happen that users sometimes forget their MPIN. In such cases, they are required to log in to their mobile banking app or website and reset or generate a new MPIN. It is, however, not possible to recover the old MPIN.
A UPI PIN is a 4-digit or 6-digit code that enables users to perform UPI transactions through a UPI-based app. With every UPI transaction, the UPI PIN needs to be entered. UPI PIN should never be shared with anyone.
With digital fraud and online scams becoming popular every day, it is advisable not to share MPIN with anyone, not even with close family members or friends. In fact, it is mandatory that we keep changing them from time to time. Some banks also prompt for MPIN changes periodically.
Upon seeing an incorrect UPI PIN error, users must stay calm and try to remember and re-enter the PIN correctly. Entering the wrong PIN multiple times will block the UPI app, and no transactions can be done at that time. Users have to reset the PIN to continue performing transactions.
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