BharatPe and YES Bank Revolutionize Payments: Buy Now, Pay Later Hits UPI
BharatPe & YES Bank’s “Pay Later” unleashes instant credit on every QR scan—but at what hidden cost? Discover how this BNPL bombshell could supercharge your wallet or trap you in debt. India’s payments revolution starts NOW… will you dare to pay later?
BharatPe and YES Bank have launched “Pay Later with BharatPe,” a groundbreaking Credit on UPI solution powered by NPCI. This buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) feature brings instant, paperless credit to everyday UPI transactions, targeting underserved consumers and merchants across India.
What is Pay Later with BharatPe?
Pay Later with BharatPe offers users an instant UPI-linked credit line with up to 45 days of interest-free usage. Consumers spend daily on any merchant via QR scans, online shopping, recharges, or bills through the BharatPe app, then repay monthly in full or via 3-12 month EMIs.
The service integrates seamlessly into the BharatPe UPI app, where users track limits, usage, and repayments in one place. Credit refreshes automatically upon repayment, ensuring continuous access without delays. BharatPe CEO Nalin Negi highlighted its role in addressing low credit penetration for small merchants and new-to-credit users.
Key Features and User Benefits
This BNPL on UPI stands out with zero-paperwork onboarding and flexible repayment options. Users earn Zillion coins as guaranteed rewards on every transaction, redeemable for brand vouchers, products, or utility bills.
- Instant approval and activation via app.
- Universal acceptance: Works on any UPI QR or online merchant.
- Secure tracking: Monitor EMIs, dues, and pay via UPI.
- Rewards integration: Boosts value on routine spends.
YES Bank’s Anil Singh noted the bank’s UPI expertise enables scalable digital onboarding and underwriting. For Delhi users like you, this means effortless payments at local kirana stores or e-commerce sites without upfront cash.
What are the user eligibility criteria for Pay Later with BharatPe
Pay Later with BharatPe requires users to complete a simple onboarding process in the BharatPe UPI app, including YES Bank's KYC, Aadhaar authentication, and setting a UPI PIN. Specific eligibility details like minimum age, income, or CIBIL score are not publicly detailed in official announcements, but general UPI credit lines often demand Indian residency, age over 18-21, verified PAN/Aadhaar, and creditworthiness assessment.
Onboarding Steps
Users start by tapping "Pay Later" in the BharatPe app, then undergo YES Bank's digital KYC (possibly video KYC), link the credit line to UPI, verify via Aadhaar, and create a UPI PIN for instant use. No paperwork or delays are needed, making it accessible for new-to-credit individuals.
General UPI Credit Criteria
Across similar YES Bank and UPI products, eligibility typically includes:
- Indian citizen aged 18+ (often 21+).
- Valid savings/current account, preferably with YES Bank or BharatPe-verified.
- Linked PAN, Aadhaar, and positive credit profile (CIBIL checked).
- Stable income proof for higher limits, though not always mandated upfront.
BharatPe targets underserved users like small merchants, so approvals factor transaction history over strict income thresholds.
Approval Factors
Credit limits (starting low, up to lakhs based on profile) depend on YES Bank's underwriting, including app usage and basic KYC success. Not all applicants qualify; rejections stem from poor credit or incomplete verification. Check the app post-KYC for personalized eligibility.
BharatPe's Fintech Journey
BharatPe holds a unique position with its NBFC license via Trillion Loans, stake in Unity Small Finance Bank, and RBI-approved Online Payment Aggregator license. From merchant QR payments to consumer UPI, it has expanded rapidly.
This launch builds on prior innovations like UPI TPAP and rebranded consumer apps. Post-past challenges, BharatPe reports strong growth, processing billions in TPV. Partnerships like this with YES Bank leverage its UPI dominance.
YES Bank's Role in Digital Credit
YES Bank powers the credit infrastructure, drawing on its UPI ecosystem strength. It handles underwriting for BharatPe-originated customers, ensuring compliant scaling. Similar to its PhonePe tie-ups, this embeds credit natively in UPI.
The bank offers standalone Credit Line on UPI, but this co-branded version targets BharatPe's vast merchant base. Such collaborations democratize finance in a market where UPI handles trillions monthly.
Why BNPL on UPI Matters Now
India's UPI ecosystem processes over 15 billion transactions monthly, yet credit access lags for 150-200 million eligible users. Traditional cards exclude many due to paperwork; this fills the gap with frictionless BNPL.
It empowers small merchants' daily cash flows and consumers' impulse buys without overdrafts. Amid RBI's push for Credit Line on UPI (CLOU), players like Vegapay enable such issuances. Expect wider adoption as NPCI expands rails.
BharatPe Pay Later Compare to other BNPL Offerings
BharatPe Pay Later stands out in India's BNPL market by integrating credit directly into UPI for universal QR and online use, unlike platform-specific rivals. It offers 45-day interest-free periods and 3-12 month EMIs with minimal fees, competing with apps like LazyPay, Slice, and ZestMoney that focus on shorter tenures or e-commerce.
Feature Comparison
| Provider | Interest-Free Period | Max Tenure | Credit Limit | Usage Scope | Key Fees |
| BharatPe Pay Later | Up to 45 days | 3-12 months | Varies (app-based, up to lakhs) | Any UPI QR/online | Nil processing; late ₹750+ |
| LazyPay | 15-30 days | Up to 12 months | Up to ₹1L | UPI/250+ apps (Swiggy, Zomato) | 2% processing |
| Slice | Up to 90 days | 3 months | ₹2K-₹1L | Visa card offline/online | Zero annual |
| ZestMoney | Varies (0% EMI) | 3-24 months | Up to ₹2L | 10K+ stores/e-com | No joining/pre-closure |
| Amazon Pay Later | Up to 30 days | 3-12 months | Up to ₹60K | Amazon only | Nil processing |
| Flipkart Pay Later | 35 days | N/A (pay next month) | Up to ₹1L | Flipkart ecosystem | Zero additional |
Interest and Cost Comparison
BharatPe matches or exceeds rivals' grace periods at 45 days interest-free, with EMIs at 18-42% APR post-grace, similar to LazyPay's 15-32% but lower processing fees. Slice and ZestMoney emphasize zero-cost short EMIs for students/freelancers, while BharatPe suits broader UPI daily spends without merchant restrictions. Late fees align industry-wide (₹500-1500 slabs), but BharatPe's UPI tracking reduces defaults via app reminder
Fees, Interest and EMI Terms for this UPI Credit Product
Pay Later with BharatPe provides up to 45 days interest-free credit on full repayment, with EMI options for 3-12 months and dynamic APRs shown in-app. Fees remain minimal, aligning with YES Bank's UPI credit framework, including nil processing for EMIs.
Interest Structure
| Aspect | Details | Rate/Charge |
| Interest-Free Period | Up to 45 days on full monthly repayment | 0% |
| Post-Grace/EMI Interest | Monthly rate on overdue or EMI tenure | 1.99%-3.49% (18%-42% APR) |
| Overdue Interest | On unpaid balances | 2% monthly (24% APR) |
EMI Terms
| Tenure | Key Features | Example (₹1,00,000 at 18% APR) |
| 3-12 months | Convert bills in-app; nil processing/foreclosure fees | 6 months: ~₹18,167 EMI, ~₹9,000 total interest |
| Repayment Options | Full pay (no interest) or EMI | Auto-generates monthly statements |
Fees and Charges
| Fee Type | Amount/Details | Conditions |
| Processing Fee | Nil for EMI conversion | Up to 2.5% (₹199-₹499) on cash advances |
| Late Payment | ₹750-₹1,500 slabs | Plus overdue interest |
| Joining/Renewal | Nil | No annual fees |
| GST | 18% | On interest and charges |
| Overlimit/Convenience | Nil | |
Personalized rates and limits appear post-KYC in the BharatPe app.
Impact on Consumers and Merchants
For consumers, it's freedom: Buy groceries, gadgets, or pay bills now, settle later interest-free for 45 days. EMIs suit bigger spends, with rewards adding perks.
Merchants gain from higher ticket sizes as customers spend freely via UPI QR—BharatPe's core strength. Small shops in Tier 2-3 cities benefit most, boosting local economies. Overall, it drives UPI's retail dominance.
Broader Fintech Landscape
India's fintech sector thrives with UPI handling over 15 billion monthly transactions, fueling BNPL growth amid 150-200 million underserved credit users. BharatPe Pay Later exemplifies embedded finance, blending UPI's ubiquity with YES Bank's underwriting for seamless credit, unlike e-com-locked rivals like Amazon Pay Later.
RBI's Credit Line on UPI (CLOU) and PA approvals empower players like BharatPe (with NBFC and Unity SFB stakes) to scale responsibly. Competitors—LazyPay, Slice, ZestMoney—offer shorter EMIs (up to 24 months) at 15-42% APR, but BharatPe's 45-day grace and universal QR acceptance target daily spends for merchants and consumers.
Digital India accelerates adoption, with fintech TPV hitting $20B; expect more NPCI-backed innovations amid global models inspired by India's rails.
Challenges and Responsible Use
BNPL products like BharatPe Pay Later risk over-indebtedness due to easy access and minimal upfront checks, potentially leading to debt traps for impulse buyers. Users face high late fees (₹750+), credit score damage from small defaults, and compounding penalties that balloon small dues rapidly.
Key Challenges
- Regulatory Gaps: RBI demands transparency in fees and data privacy, but ambiguity persists on BNPL classification, raising fraud and recovery issues.
- Overspending: 45-day grace encourages unchecked borrowing, especially among youth without budgeting.
- UPI-Specific Risks: NPCI/RBI rules mandate purpose tagging to curb misuse, yet lighter underwriting heightens defaults.
Responsible Use Tips
Track limits via BharatPe app reminders, repay full within 45 days to avoid 18-42% APR, and limit to essentials—avoid layering multiple BNPLs. Build habits: Budget spends, check CIBIL pre-use, and seek RBI-regulated options for protection.
Future of Payments in India
India's payments future hinges on UPI's evolution into a credit powerhouse, with BharatPe Pay Later signaling widespread CLOU adoption amid RBI's push for regulated embedded finance. NPCI plans to expand rails for 500 million users, integrating AI-driven underwriting and cross-border remittances by 2027.
Key Trends
- UPI Credit Boom: From 15B transactions/month, expect 30% credit penetration by 2028, powering BNPL, micro-loans via apps like BharatPe.
- Embedded Finance: Fintech-bank ties (YES, Unity SFB) enable instant EMIs at kiranas, e-com, reducing cash to <10%.
- Tech Innovations: Blockchain for fraud-proof UPI 3.0, offline capabilities, and purpose-linked credits curb misuse.
Digital India targets $1T fintech TPV; global exports of UPI model under President Trump's innovation alliances could redefine payments worldwide. Responsible scaling via RBI oversight ensures inclusion without debt risks.
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