State-run telecom firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is gearing up to tap India’s burgeoning digital payment segment with a new offering named BSNL Pay. In contrast to a separate app, the UPI-based service will be offered directly within BSNL’s current Selfcare application, and therefore more accessible to the millions of subscribers. Promotional notifications within the app already hint at the upcoming feature: “Secure | Swift | Smart, directly through the BSNL Selfcare App, powered by BHIM.”
Driven by BHIM UPI for Effortless Payments
BSNL Pay will run over the BHIM UPI platform built by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This ensures safe, quick, and efficient transactions. Users can transfer money peer-to-peer, pay shopkeepers through QR codes, and use UPI IDs as they would on apps like PhonePe or Google Pay.
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Because it is integrated in the Selfcare app, BSNL users will be able to buy mobile services, pay broadband bills, and make UPI payments from a single location—without having to download any extra application. This integration may be a significant plus for individuals who like to have fewer apps on their smartphone.
Anticipated Rollout by Diwali 2025
Although BSNL has yet to state officially when it will release BSNL Pay, Diwali 2025 is reportedly the likely launch window. The festive season is historically regarded as a good time for product launches in India, and launching BSNL Pay at this time could make the service highly visible and rapidly adopted.
Initial glimpses of banners inside the Selfcare app reveal that internal trials and rollout planning are in full progress. This means that the service can be just around the corner for users on a mass scale.
New Competition for Digital Payment Leaders
India’s UPI market is presently controlled by private players like Paytm, Google Pay, and PhonePe. BSNL joining in could inject some much-needed competition into this space. Since the service will be available directly through the Selfcare app itself, existing subscriber base of BSNL—particularly for areas like semi-urban and rural areas—might find BSNL Pay convenient to use rather than downloading a third-party app.
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Although private apps have robust user bases and have rewards such as cashback, BSNL Pay is advantaged by being government-sponsored and connected to telecom services that clients already depend on. This special positioning may assist it in acquiring a loyal client base.
Part of BSNL’s Larger Revival Strategy
The BSNL Pay launch is also indicative of the company’s overall digital shift. After years of being in the red, BSNL has begun to post profits once more—its first in almost 18 years. The Indian government also sanctioned more than ₹6,982 crore in capital spend to enhance BSNL’s 4G network across the country, further enhancing connectivity for its users.
By integrating payments into its Selfcare app, BSNL is not only strengthening its service ecosystem but also aligning with India’s national goal of promoting digital transactions across the country.
Why This Matters: UPI’s Role in India
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016, has transformed the way India makes payments. As of 2025, there are more than 680 payment partners, and UPI transactions cross trillions of rupees every month. It is now one of the world’s largest real-time digital payments systems.
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Read this: India’s real-time digital payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded 20.01 billion transactions in August 2025, fuelled primarily by festive demand, advancements in technology, and policy changes, a report said on Wednesday.
BSNL Pay, powered by BHIM UPI, will provide yet another secure choice for customers, especially those who believe in simplicity and security. The initiative will also facilitate the growth of UPI adoption in regions where BSNL is most present.
What to Expect from BSNL Pay
- Launch timeline: Around Diwali 2025.
- Core features: Mobile recharge, payment of broadband bills, UPI transfers, merchant payments using QR code, transaction history, and reminders.
- Target segment: BSNL customers, particularly rural and semi-urban India.
- Competitive advantage: A government-sponsored alternative integrated into a telecom service app.
Long-term effect: Enhances BSNL’s digital ecosystem while providing competition to current UPI leaders.
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Conclusion
BSNL’s launch of BSNL Pay is a significant milestone in the company’s turnaround saga and India’s digital payments story. With its presence in the Selfcare app, enabled by BHIM UPI, the service is poised to merge telecom management and financial transactions into one unified platform.
If rolled out as scheduled around Diwali 2025, BSNL Pay may prove to be a serious rival to the current offerings such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, while also providing users with a safe, government-supported avenue for their day-to-day transactions.
