PayU launches India’s first RBI-compliant accessible payments checkout for visually impaired users

The new payment solution introduces screen-reader support, adaptive interfaces and visual accessibility features, enabling users with blindness, low vision and other accessibility needs to complete digital transactions more independently and confidently.

PayU has introduced an accessibility-focused payment checkout platform designed for people who are blind or visually impaired, becoming the first payment gateway in India to align with the Reserve Bank of India’s accessibility requirements announced in October 2024.

The new Accessible Payments Checkout is aimed at making digital transactions easier for users with visual and cognitive accessibility needs by improving navigation, discoverability and interaction during the payment process. The launch comes as India continues to expand digital payment adoption and strengthen financial inclusion initiatives.

The solution is compliant with the RBI’s BIS IS 17802 accessibility standards and reflects a growing focus within the fintech sector on ensuring that digital services can be used independently by all sections of society.

Features designed for inclusive payments

PayU’s accessibility-focused checkout integrates several features intended to support users with different accessibility requirements.

One of the key additions is full screen-reader optimisation, enabling users to navigate the payment journey through voice prompts and audio feedback. Payment options such as UPI, net banking, QR code payments and NEFT can be accessed without requiring sighted assistance, while transaction details and payment stages are announced clearly.

The platform also includes adaptive user profiles, allowing users to customise interface elements such as cursor size, button dimensions and navigation settings. Preferences can be saved and adjusted according to individual requirements.

To support users with low vision, colour blindness or light sensitivity, the checkout offers visual inclusivity modes, including high-contrast settings, greyscale mode, colour inversion and saturation adjustments. Text resizing of up to 200% is also supported without affecting the layout or readability of content.

"True financial inclusion is only possible when every individual can access and use digital payments independently. At PayU, accessibility is not an afterthought - it's a core design principle. With the launch of our Accessibility Checkout, we're helping merchants deliver payment experiences that are inclusive by design while enabling millions of users with diverse accessibility needs to participate more confidently in India's digital economy. This is an important step towards supporting the RBI's accessibility vision and building digital infrastructure that works for everyone," said Manas Mishra, Chief Product Officer, PayU and Wibmo.

Accessibility without additional merchant integration

PayU said merchants using its payment gateway will not need to modify their existing integrations to offer the new accessibility features. The accessibility capabilities are embedded directly into the checkout process, allowing businesses to provide compliant and inclusive payment experiences automatically.

Prashant Ranjan Verma, General Secretary, National Association for the Blind, Delhi, said, “I appreciate PayU's efforts to make digital payments more accessible for everyone, including people who are blind or have low vision. I was able to complete a UPI payment independently using PayU's accessibility-first checkout with VoiceOver. I hope PayU continues to strengthen accessibility so that more people with visual impairments can transact confidently and independently."

The launch highlights the increasing importance of accessibility in digital financial services and aligns with broader efforts to ensure that technology-led growth remains inclusive. As digital payments become central to everyday transactions, accessibility-focused innovations are expected to play a greater role in enabling equal participation in India’s digital economy.