What Did Paytm Clarify About Google Play's UPI Alert?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Paytm reassures users of seamless UPI transactions.
- Only recurring payments are affected by the notification.
- Users must update their UPI handles linked to their banks.
- Deadline for updates is August 31, 2025.
- Paytm continues to lead in India's merchant payments sector.
New Delhi, Aug 29 (NationPress) Financial services leader Paytm has recently clarified that the notification from Google Play regarding changes to unified payments interface (UPI) handles was not entirely accurate and might have led to misunderstandings.
The company reassured users that UPI payments on Paytm are functioning without any disruptions, ensuring that both consumer and merchant transactions proceed smoothly.
This update specifically pertains to recurring payments, such as subscription services.
“Thus, if a user is subscribed to services like YouTube Premium or Google One through Paytm UPI, they will need to update their old @paytm handle to the new bank-linked handles, which include @pthdfc, @ptaxis, @ptyes, or @ptsbi,” Paytm clarified.
For instance, a UPI ID previously formatted as abcd@paytm will now appear as abcd@pthdfc (or the respective bank handle). It’s important to note that one-time UPI payments remain unaffected and will continue as normal.
Paytm highlighted that this change is part of its transition to new UPI handles, following authorization from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to operate as a Third Party Application Provider (TPAP).
The deadline for completing updates for recurring payments is set for August 31, 2025, which prompted Google Play to issue its alert.
Assuring its customers, Paytm stated that this is merely an update to facilitate uninterrupted recurring payments while all other UPI transactions on the app will remain unchanged.
Paytm reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 123 crore in Q1 FY26, with its operating revenue increasing by 28 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 1,918 crore. During the June-ending quarter, EBITDA reached Rs 72 crore, reflecting Paytm’s focused strategy on cost management and growth through embedded AI technologies.
Additionally, Paytm has strengthened its position in India’s merchant payments sector as it continues to expand device subscriptions for MSMEs and large enterprises.