The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a simplified payment platform designed to make Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and USSD payment modes simpler and usable across feature phones and smart phones. Developed by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM is supported by host of banks, including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Punjab National Bank, among others. The app is currently available in Hindi and English, and support for more languages is expected soon.
BHIM is interoperable with other Unified Payment Interface (UPI) applications and bank accounts. The neat, clean and simple interface of the app is a welcome departure from other apps from the government. This is in tune with its stated purpose of simplified payments.
1. Android users can download the application from Play Store by searching for ‘BHIM’. The app is not available for iOS users yet.
- Install the application and choose your language. The app will prompt you to verify your phone number using an SMS. Click on Next and wait for the verification process to be completed.
- Once the verification is complete, input a four digit passcode.
- After a passcode is set, the app will ask you to select your bank. Once the bank is selected, the app automatically picks up your details using your phone number. Select the primary bank account that will be used for all your transactions.
- The app displays three options — send, request and scan/pay. Transactions are possible only between verified phone numbers.
- Send money:The option is simple to use. Tap on it andenter the phone number of the person who is going to receive the money. The number will be verified and if a UPI/BHIM account has been set up for that number, the app will accept the number and will take you to the next screen where you can put in the money and send it.
If there is no number or UPI ID, you can also send the money using Bank Account + IFSC code. To access this option, click on three dots (settings) on the send money page.
7.Request money: Again, tap on the request button. Put in the number, let the app verify it. Once the verification is done, you can request the money.
8.Scan and pay: This is the place where QR codes come into picture. The app generates a QR for every user, which can then be shared or printed and pasted. To make a payment to the QR code owner, just scan it and pay.