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@article{199943,
        author = {Siddhartha Ranjan and Dhananjay Raghuwansi and Janhvi Deshmukh and Prachi Agnihotri},
        title = {From Cash to Scan: A Study on the Adoption and Impact of UPI Among College Students.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {412-420},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=199943},
        abstract = {Walk into any college canteen today and you will notice something interesting — instead of coins and cash, students are busy scanning QR codes. Not long ago, we had to visit ATMs to withdraw our weekly pocket money. Today, apps like Google Pay and Phone Pe have completely transformed how students manage and spend money. This research explores this major shift and tries to understand how digital payments have become the “new normal” for college students and how this change is influencing their spending behavior.
The purpose of this study was not just to look at how many students have payment apps installed, but to understand how often they use them, which apps they prefer, and most importantly, whether paying digitally makes students spend more than paying with physical cash. The study also explores the psychology behind spending — do we treat money differently when we don’t physically see it leaving our hands?
To understand this, a survey was conducted among 110 students from different academic streams. The questionnaire covered daily expenses like food, travel and printing, as well as impulsive spending habits and budgeting behavior. The goal was to capture a realistic picture of how students spend most of their money only digitally.
The findings were very clear. More than 90% of the students surveyed rely almost entirely on UPI for daily transactions, from paying for tea to settling café bills. However, the convenience comes with a downside. Many students admitted that because paying is so quick and effortless — often just a fingerprint or PIN — they tend to make impulse purchases they would normally avoid if they had to pay with cash. The “pain of paying” has reduced, leading to faster and sometimes careless spending. Another key finding was the strong dependency on digital systems. When UPI servers fail or internet connectivity drops, many students feel stranded without any backup payment option.
In conclusion, while UPI has made life easier and faster, it also demands better financial discipline and awareness. Students must become more mindful of tracking their digital spending to avoid losing control over their budgets.},
        keywords = {UPI, College Life, Pocket Money, Digital Payments, Spending Habits, Impulse Buying, Google Pay, Student Budget.},
        month = {May},
        }