UPI services faced a nationwide outage on Tuesday evening, disrupting payments across apps like Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe and SBI UPI.
Downdetector recorded a sharp spike in complaints, with most users reporting failed transactions and QR code scan issues.
Social media was flooded with reactions and jokes as users across major cities shared stories of stalled payments and delays.
UPI down: Many people across India faced an awkward pause on Tuesday evening when everyday payments suddenly stopped working. From buying vegetables to paying at tea stalls, phones showed a simple message that payments had failed. The issue was not linked to poor internet or empty bank accounts. Instead, the country’s popular digital payment system went down at the same time in many places. The problem started in the evening and quickly spread to many cities. Users were confused, and shop owners were left waiting. For millions who depend on quick scans and taps, everyday tasks turned into delays. Complaints grew fast as people kept trying, but the problem stayed the same.
SurveyUPI down: Reports on Downdetector
Data from outage tracker Downdetector showed a sharp rise in complaints as the evening progressed. At the time of reporting, more than 500 users had flagged problems while making payments. Most complaints were about failed transactions during routine transfers. Around 82 per cent of users said they could not complete a payment. Another 12 per cent reported trouble while scanning QR codes at shops and street vendors. The remaining users faced issues while sending funds to others. As minutes passed, the number of reports climbed close to 600.
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UPI down: Outage map
The outage map pointed to a wide impact, not a local issue. Big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Jaipur saw heavy reports. This suggested a nationwide disruption rather than isolated bank-level trouble. Many users refreshed apps hoping for quick relief today.
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UPI down: How is social media reacting?
The social media platforms were filled with reactions within just a few minutes of the outage. There have been screenshots of failed transactions. People have also started making jokes, saying that after the restoration, they would have to deal with unpaid bills. People have shared stories of standing in front of the counters of grocery stores, with a queue piling up behind them.
On X, it became a popular topic very fast. People started confirming that it wasn’t just a situation in one place. Even though there are complaints of frustration, the overall response has been light-hearted, with people using humour to deal with the inconvenience. There have been comparisons made by some people that have called it going back to the cash era. It can be accepted that within a few hours, the situation can be dealt with by carrying cash till the services resume across all the major cities tonight.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
