Within few days after the launch of Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), the digital payments app has been downloaded nearly three million times. As of this writing, the app has reached the top spot on Google Play Store in India. Niti Ayog CEO Amitabh Kant took to Twitter and revealed that over 500,000 transactions have been successfully completed since the launch of the app.
In his tweet, Kant had used #MakeinIndia hashtag, which indicates the fact that the app is fully designed and developed in India. The main purpose behind the launch of the BHIM app is to push the adoption rate of the digital transaction in the country. The newly launched BHIM app provides an ability for the fast, secure and reliable cashless transactions using smartphones.
#Bhim App – 3Mln download since launch, No1 on Playstore in India amongst all Apps, over 500,000 transactions since launch. #MakeinIndia
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) January 2, 2017
BHIM app works in feature phones as well
Named after Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who is the main architect of the Indian Constitution, the BHIM app is a simplified one-stop payment solution. During the launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that the new app is designed to simplify the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and USSD payment modes either using smartphones or standard feature phones. Moreover, the BHIM app can be easily integrated with other Unified Payment Interface (UPI) applications and bank accounts.
Working of BHIM app
To work with the BHIM app, you need to register with the mobile number linked to your bank account. After you successfully complete the setup process, you can transfer payments and receive money to and from your bank account.
BHIM app works in such a way that it enables you to remit payments via United Payments Interface (UPI) linked bank account. The app also provides support for transfers via IFSC code and MMID if you don’t have UPI on their bank accounts. In case of UPI payments, you only require access to a Virtual Payee Address (VPA). Hence, you can perform transactions without exposing the bank account details.
#Bhim App-1 stop shop 4 Payment. Instantaneous transfer from person 2 person & person 2 merchants. Cleanest/simplest user interface!
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) January 2, 2017
Before performing any transaction, you need to configure a pin to login into the app. To conduct transactions via BHIM, you need UPI Pin. In a major relief, the government also extended the functionality of the BHIM app to feature phone owners. Accordingly, you need to dial *99# from within the feature phone without Internet access. You can also make use of the same technique from a smartphone.
Meanwhile, Kant also confirmed that BHIM will be made available on iOS platform within the next 10 days including thew availability of multilingual versions. As of this writing, BHIM app is currently available only on Android with support for English and Hindi.
Developed and managed by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM provides support for all major nationalized and private banks. Initially, you will face minor difficulty to work with BHIM app. However, once you installed and completed the process, it’s easy to use. We hope you will make use of the BHIM app and support the cashless initiative of the government.
