The comments in this thread lack some context. Prior to UPI, the government ensured that anyone with a mobile phone, even just a feature phone, could open a ban

The comments in this thread lack some context. Prior to UPI, the government ensured that anyone with a mobile phone, even just a feature phone, could open a bank account. This enabled direct transfer of subsidies to eligible citizens. An earlier PM Rajiv Gandhi had admitted that only 15% of benefits actually reached the intended recipients, the rest being consumed in overheads and corruption. UPI ensures that even people in remote locations can make payments without having to walk long distances to withdraw theirbcash from a bank. Villages don't have ATMs. It's more like a debit card than anything else, but you use a phone instead of a card. As for tracking fears, all debit/credit card transactions are logged so UPI is no different. If you want to use cash, you can do so, but you'd be surprised how many vendors prefer UPI as they don't have to worry about change.