Introduction
SEBI Verified UPI Handles 2025: Digital investing is now the backbone of Indian financial markets, with more than 330 million users transacting through Unified Payments Interface (UPI). While this rapid adoption marks a leap forward for efficiency and banking convenience, it has also brought challenges—including a growing risk of fraud and accidental payments to unregistered or fake entities. To address this, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has introduced “Validated UPI Handles” and the “SEBI Check” tool. These new features revolutionize investor safety, add transparency, and help curb payment scams.
What’s new about these systems, and how do they empower ordinary investors and traders? This blog demystifies SEBI & NPCI’s digital security overhaul for the Indian investment community.
Why Security Is Essential for Digital Investing
The popularity of mutual funds, online trading, and digital SIP registrations means that crores of rupees flow through UPI every minute. Brokers and fund houses must collect funds securely—and maintain investor trust. In recent years, there have been regular headline-grabbing scams: fake UPI handles, impersonation of reputable intermediaries, and misleading payment requests to unsuspecting retail investors.
SEBI’s regulatory mission is to safeguard all channels in the financial system—from physical securities to digital payments—while supporting India’s march toward a cashless economy. Against this backdrop, the newly launched verified UPI handle and SEBI Check initiatives are set to become game-changers.
The Problem: Fake UPI Handles and Payment Scams
Before October 2025, investors wanting to invest through UPI could easily be misled:
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No Standard Naming Convention: Any entity could register a generic UPI handle, making it difficult to spot fakes.
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No Real-Time Verification: It was hard for investors to check whether the UPI ID actually belonged to a SEBI-registered intermediary.
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Mistakes & Fraud: Even careful investors risked sending money to non-existent brokers or copycat mutual funds.
SEBI identified these issues as threats to investor protection and market integrity, pushing for innovation to restore transparency and safety.
The Solution: Validated UPI Handles
Effective October 1, 2025, every SEBI-registered intermediary must use a verified UPI handle with the unique “@valid” identifier—a special suffix issued and maintained only by NPCI for legitimate payment collection by brokers, mutual funds, and regulated entities.
Features of the System
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Category-Specific Suffixes: For easy identification, each verified UPI handle contains a special category marker.
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Brokers:
.brk(e.g., abc.brk@validhdfc) -
Mutual Funds:
.mf(e.g., xyz.mf@validicici)
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Bank-Specific Identifier: Each UPI handle ends with the name of the self-certified syndicate bank, further preventing fraud.
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Visual Cue for Legitimacy: Payments routed through these handles trigger a “thumbs-up inside a green triangle” icon—a clear sign for users that the transaction is safe.
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QR Codes: Verified QR codes with the same icon are provided for quick, error-free mobile payments.
Major brokers (serving over 90% of total investors) and all mutual funds have already adopted these handles.
SEBI Check: Your Verification Assistant
Alongside verified handles, SEBI and NPCI have built the SEBI Check platform—a digital tool for real-time verification. This allows an investor to:
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Check the UPI ID’s authenticity: By scanning the QR code or manually entering the UPI handle at SEBI Check or the “Saarthi” mobile app, the investor instantly sees if the intermediary is SEBI-registered.
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Verify account and IFSC details: Before sending large sums, customers can cross-verify the intermediary’s bank account number and IFSC code.
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Enhanced Accessibility: Available in app and web formats, SEBI Check makes security practical for all investor types—retail, HNI, and institutional.
Existing SIPs instituted before October 2025 remain unaffected, but all new SIP mandates and payments must use the new verified UPI handles.
Guide to Using @valid UPI Handles and SEBI Check
Step 1: Locate the UPI handle of your investment intermediary—look for the “@valid” ending and the category marker.
Step 2: Scan any provided QR code. You should see the “thumbs-up inside a green triangle” visual mark.
Step 3: For added caution, manually enter the UPI ID in SEBI Check (web/app) to confirm the intermediary’s name, bank, and IFSC.
Step 4: Only then complete your payment or SIP registration.
Step 5: For ongoing investments, update mandates to use the new handle for future payments.
Why Is This Different from NEFT, RTGS, IMPS?
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The “@valid” handle provides a unique, digitally auditable trail for every SEBI-regulated payment, which older payment rails (NEFT, RTGS) do not.
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SEBI Check acts as an extra authentication layer, boosting investor confidence for first-time investors and small-ticket retail investors.
Use Cases and Industry Impact
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Mutual Fund SIP registration: All brand-new SIP mandates require a verified UPI handle. This ensures investor money always arrives in SEBI-approved accounts.
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Brokerage Trading: With
.brk@validmarker, clients can transfer funds, settle dues, and invest without fear of fraud. -
Refunds and Redemptions: Verified handles streamline return payments and reduce erroneous transfers.
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Regulatory Enforcement: SEBI now tracks all UPI transactions routed through validated handles, improving compliance and preventing money laundering.
What Investors Say
India’s investor community—ranging from metro cities to Tier-II towns—has welcomed the move. Testimonials from market participants indicate higher trust and a renewed wave of digital investment activity. Major fund houses report lower reversal rates and fewer support tickets regarding payment fraud since the rollout.
Common Questions and Concerns
Q: Can I use old UPI handles for existing SIPs or investments?
Yes, for existing ongoing SIPs started before October 2025, payments can continue until further notice.
Q: What if an intermediary gives me a normal UPI handle after October 1?
Reject the payment. Request a handle ending with “@valid” and verify using SEBI Check.
Q: Are there additional charges for using verified handles or SEBI Check?
No. SEBI has clarified that these verification tools must be free for end-users.
SEBI’s Commitment to Investor Protection
According to SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, these mechanisms represent a new era of digital trust. The regulator vows regular audits of verified handles and is planning future upgrades to include biometric verification and in-app warnings for suspected scams.
Tips for Investors
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Always Verify Before Paying: Checking the handle in SEBI Check takes only seconds and can prevent massive financial loss.
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Do Not Share Payment Proofs Without Confirmation: Scammers often use screenshots of generic payment apps to claim funds—only respond to evidence after confirming with SEBI Check.
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Update SIP Mandates to New Handles: For long-term investing, make sure mandates reference “@valid” handles—protect future payments.
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Monitor Regulator Updates: SEBI issues new circulars often; keep an eye on their digital channels for further enhancements.
Conclusion
The fusion of verified UPI handles and the SEBI Check platform means Indian investors now enjoy a secure, transparent, and real-time payment ecosystem. This innovation rewards user vigilance and will help safeguard savings, investments, and financial futures—making India’s digital investment journey safer than ever before.