UPI Circle lets an account holder authorise another person to make eligible payments using the holder’s funds. It can help with shared household spending, but it also grants real payment authority. Agree on the purpose, amount and duration before setting it up, and never share the primary user’s PIN or account login.
Choose how each payment is approved
| Mode | What it permits | Decision to make |
|---|---|---|
| Partial delegation | The secondary user requests a payment and the primary user approves it | Can the primary user reliably review requests when needed? |
| Full delegation | The secondary user pays within the authorised limits without a fresh primary approval for each purchase | What amount and expiry are appropriate for the agreed task? |
NPCI’s Circle framework describes up to five secondary users per primary and one primary per secondary. Full delegation has a ₹5,000 per-transaction and ₹15,000 monthly maximum per delegation. These ceilings are not a recommended budget; lower limits and provider-specific restrictions can apply.
Check that both people meet the app’s requirements
For example, Google Pay’s Circle instructions require an active linked bank account for the primary user. The secondary user uses their own registered phone number and app, with an app lock and a UPI ID or Circle QR. A secondary user does not need their own bank account for the feature.
Check the supported mode and current onboarding process on both devices. Do not assume that a feature available in one app version or bank is already available in another. Follow any initial cooling-off or reduced-limit message shown during setup.
Set it up without sharing credentials
- Discuss what the access is for and who will review the transactions.
- Open the Circle feature in the primary user’s genuine payment app.
- Identify the intended secondary user using the supported contact, QR or ID process.
- Review the mode, amount, duration and selected account before the primary user authorises the arrangement.
- Have the secondary user complete the acceptance and security steps shown in their own app.
- Verify that both sides show the intended arrangement before relying on it.
Do not invent a new bank-account PIN for the secondary user. The app’s delegation and device-authentication process controls access; the primary bank PIN remains private.
Use a small, explicit spending agreement
Illustrative example: an adult family member needs to buy groceries during a two-week visit. Agree on the budget, whether each purchase needs approval and when access should end. A ₹15,000 product ceiling is irrelevant if the intended budget is ₹2,000.
For partial delegation, the primary user should read the payee and amount, rather than approve merely because the request came from a known person. For full delegation, review actual spending and remaining allowance regularly. A trusted person can still make a mistake or encounter a scam.
Review and remove access
Use the Circle management screen to review the linked person, limits, expiry and payment history. When access is no longer needed, follow the provider’s removal or revocation process and confirm the resulting status. Do not rely on deleting an app or assuming an invitation has expired.
If either device is lost or compromised, contact the bank or app’s official support promptly and protect the affected access. Keep a record of the delegation and disputed transactions. Removing future access does not automatically reverse a completed purchase.
Know when another arrangement is simpler
Circle is useful when someone needs controlled access to payments from your account. A normal transfer may be simpler when the money is theirs to manage independently. AutoPay is a different tool for merchant collection, described in our recurring-mandate guide.
Respect the other person’s consent and privacy when helping them use an app. Review what information the provider shares with each participant before enabling the feature. Do not use a family relationship as a substitute for clear agreement about spending.
Reviewed on 27 October 2026. Check current provider eligibility and limits before setup; examples are household planning illustrations.
Techleez Editorial Team
The Techleez publishes practical digital guides. For our scope, use of AI assistance and corrections process, read our editorial policy.
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