December 21, 2025 · 9 mins read
Santosh Kumar
Digital payments have quietly entered the fabric of business day-to-day life in India. Be it a small kirana store, a salon, a tuition centre or a home-based service, customers want to be able to pay via UPI. For a lot of shop owners and entrepreneurs, accepting UPI payments isn’t a value add anymore — it’s essential.
One of the easiest ways to get started accepting UPI payments is with a UPI QR code. It enables consumers to pay immediately by scanning the code from their mobile, without having to hand over cash or type in bank details.
A UPI QR code is a QR code that’s linked to a UPI ID or bank account. When a customer scans the code with any UPI app, they’re taken right to the payment screen with your info pre-populated. All the customer has to do is enter the amount and authorise payment using their UPI PIN.
For enterprises, this eliminates friction in the payment flow. You don’t have to carry cash, make change or fret about slow payments. The funds are deposited straight into the attached bank account, typically in seconds.
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The magic of UPI is convenience, speed and trust. Consumers are already familiar with UPI for day to day payments. By providing a QR code, you’re meeting your customers where they’re at. UPI QR codes eliminate operational hassle as well. There’s less risk of theft than cash, fewer accounting errors and improved transaction records. Payments flow directly to your bank account, simplifying income reporting and cash flow management.
For small businesses, particularly those running lean, a UPI QR code makes payments uncomplicated, with no additional expense or complication.
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Before you generate a UPI QR code, you should know the distinction between personal and business QR codes.
A personal UPI QR code is associated with a single bank account, and is commonly employed by freelancers, home-based enterprises or tiny merchants. It’s fast to install and serves casual trades nicely.
A business UPI QR code is associated with a business account or merchant profile. It can have your shop name instead of a name and often has bonus features like transaction reports, customer references, etc.
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The simplest way to obtain a UPI QR code for your shop is via a regular UPI app. Popular UPI apps such as Phone Pe, Google Pay, and Paytm allow you to create the QR code within minutes.
Once you’ve downloaded the app and connected your bank account, you can access the QR code generation or viewing feature within your profile or payment tab. Once created, the QR code can be saved, printed or shared online.
This approach is perfect for tiny stores, service professionals and folks who need a fast and paperless freebie.
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Many banks offer business-specific UPI QR codes for registered businesses that require a more formal payment arrangement.
To obtain a bank-issued UPI QR code, you typically need to possess a business bank account. The bank might request simple business information like shop name, address and registration copy.
Once authorised, the bank offers you a QR code that connects right to your business account. Bank QR codes also have the business name prominently featured, which provides a lot more customer confidence and professionalism.
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For businesses, alternatively, payment service providers that provide merchant UPI options. These platforms generate QR codes that enable UPI payments and can also offer other features like analytics, settlement tracking and customer support.
While the details shift a bit according to the approach you prefer, it’s overall a straightforward process.
First, choose whether you want a personal or business QR code. Then, select your platform – UPI app, bank or payment provider, etc. Connect your bank account and pass verification, if necessary. After authorisation, create the QR code and store it.
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Generating a QR code is just half the work. If you don’t display it properly, no one will see it, and no one will use it.
Put the code by the billing counter or check-out room where they tend to look while paying. Make it print in a nice, clear way that scanners can read easily. I laminated the QR code, so that it would be protected from wear and tear.
For service businesses, posting the QR code digitally via a messaging app or invoice can also work.
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Among the biggest benefits of UPI QR codes is quicker access to funds. Payments are deposited immediately into your bank account. This boosts cash flow and decreases reliance on daily cash handling.
For small margin small businesses, quicker cash flow can be the difference in managing inventory, salaries and expenses.
UPI QR codes are secure. Customers authenticate every transaction with their own UPI PIN, so no sensitive information is shared with the merchant.
As a business, you still want to take rudimentary precautions. Never share your UPI PIN with anyone. Watch your transaction history for suspicious activity. If you believe it has been used, call your bank right away.
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Some companies are guilty of stale QR codes. This can cause botched transactions and irate customers. Always test your QR code.
Another frequent culprit is bad visibility. A QR code buried behind clutter or positioned too low will be overlooked by customers.
Making it clear and easy to find bolsters adoption and trust.
UPI QR codes also work great in different industries. Retail shops enjoy quicker checkouts. Restaurants reduce billing delays. Freelancers receive instant payments. Home businesses project a professional image without buying costly systems.
The versatility of UPI QR codes makes it applicable for virtually any sort of business model.
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For own use and small value, no need to register under GST. A lot of users and merchants with UPI QR codes, no GST
But certain banks and payment providers might ask for GST particulars for business QR codes, in particular, registered businesses. Best to check requirements according to your business size and structure.
A few platforms permit minimal customisation of QR codes, for instance, including a logo or shop name.
Even without customisation, simply having your shop name printed clearly somewhere near the QR code means customers know who they’re paying.
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UPI payments create digital footprints that simplifies and streamlines bookkeeping. Transaction histories are downloadable or viewable in apps or bank statements and this streamlines tax filing, audits and financial planning.
Understanding how to get a UPI QR code for a shop or how to get a UPI QR code for a business is one of the easiest but most powerful things that a store owner can do. It’s easy to do, cheap or free and provides instant returns in convenience, speed and customer appreciation.
Whether you’re a small vendor or a growing business, a UPI QR code makes your payment process modern – without the hassle. In our digital-first era, it’s more than a simple way to accept payments — it’s a marker of a future-ready business.
You can obtain a UPI QR code through a UPI app, your bank or a payment service provider. Simply link your bank account, create the QR code and display it at your store.
Almost all UPI apps provide QR codes for free. Banks and payment providers can charge for premium merchant services, but plain QR codes are often free.
Every QR code is associated with an account. It’s best to use separate QR codes for different branches so you can track them better.
No. Your customers can use any UPI app to scan and pay with your QR code.
Yes. UPI QR code enables customers to send money only! It doesn’t even reveal your bank information or give anyone the ability to pull money.
Make sure your bank account is valid, and the QR code still works. If it still doesn’t work, call your bank or app support.
Yes. UPI QR codes are perfect for freelancers as well as home-based businesses, as they provide instant payments with no complex setup.
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