Lobby the govt to keep NUUP access to Free Software users
Pirate Praveen
Sat 10 Jan 2026 4:31PM
Public
Seen by 63
I think we should lobby the govt to keep NUUP (https://wiki.fsci.in/NUUP *99# USSD interface to UPI) and extend it to all cities and providers or it might get silently dropped one day.
This is currently the best option for Free Software, when it works (the biggest drawback is its limited support - Airtel in some select cities only).
Even if LibreFin manages to finish the reverse engineering effort, like NewPipe breaking often when Youtube changing its API.
We can try to work with other organizations and communities like LibreFin, FOSS United and SFLC.in.
Pirate Praveen Sun 11 Jan 2026 9:37AM
I think we can start with filing an RTI request with DoT. Asking about,
What is the current status on NUUP/*99# USSD interface to UPI?
Is it officially supported way to interact with UPI service?
Have you tested/confirmed it is working across all providers and in all cities?
Provide a list of cities where this will work?
Is there any plan to discontinue this service?
Depending on their official stand on this matter we might have to try different things. If it is officially supported, we have a stronger position to demand it.
Pirate Praveen Mon 12 Jan 2026 9:18AM
@Nemo what do you think? Is it worth pursuing?
Nemo Mon 12 Jan 2026 10:44AM
DoT isn't very responsible for NUUP. It held one consultation back in 2012, but has been uninvolved since. Any RTI questions will be responded with a redirect to the Telco itself. See pg 61-69 here https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/rti/RTI_June_13072022.pdf for eg where someone filed an RTI against TRAI with similar questions.
The only data RBI seems to have is around payment-systems-indicators, where USSD Payments have gone from 18crore in Oct 2024 to 13 crore in Oct 2025 (against 27 Lakh Crore in UPI). NUUP runs as a service integrated against Telcos, so your best bet would be to send a mail to NPCI, and BSNL perhaps?
Pirate Praveen Tue 13 Jan 2026 11:38AM
@Nemo I sent a mail to the address listed on their support page, but it was undelivered.
Pirate Praveen Tue 13 Jan 2026 1:25PM
Apparently the feedback form on the website still works, I got a reply asking for screenshot of the error. But not sure if the reply will reach them. I will try providing screenshot via feedback form as well. This is the feedback form https://www.bhimupi.org.in/get-in-touch I suggest more people to report issues if it does not work in your city.
Pirate Praveen Mon 19 Jan 2026 11:28AM
Looks like somehow only my debian.org smtp server was failing, I tried sending again from autistici.org and it seems to have delivered successfully. @Badri Sunderarajan you can provide feedback on Vi/city support too.
Pirate Praveen Thu 22 Jan 2026 1:17PM
Dear Pirate Praveen,
Thank you for contacting BHIM Support.
Upon checking the screenshot, we found that the transaction was processed from another payment app and not via BHIM.
For a quick resolution we kindly request you to contact the support team of the respective application. For any transaction made directly through BHIM, we will be happy to assist you further.
Best regards,
<name remove>
BHIM Support
Pirate Praveen Thu 22 Jan 2026 1:18PM
Looks like their support does not even know about *99#
Pirate Praveen Thu 22 Jan 2026 1:19PM
Anyone on X/Twitter? Can some post this to bhim there? Any other public social media they are in?
Badri Sunderarajan · Sun 11 Jan 2026 6:47AM
I like this initiative in principle, although I am not sure what to do about it in practice. Similarly, I was unable to find ways to contact those in charge of NUUP (until recent discussion in group chats) or else I would have least complained privately. I would be happy to participate in whatever way I can.