A Study on the Usage of Digital Payment Apps in Bhiwandi City with Special Reference to PhonePe

Abstract The rapid transformation of India into a cashless economy has been significantly driven by Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platforms. This study focuses on Bhiwandi, a critical logistics and textile hub in the Thane district, to analyze the adoption patterns, consumer satisfaction, and challenges associated with digital payment apps, specifically PhonePe. Using a descriptive research design and a sample of 200 respondents (including small-scale textile workers and logistics professionals), the paper identifies that PhonePe’s intuitive interface and high merchant acceptance have made it the market leader in the region. However, concerns regarding transaction failure and cyber-fraud remain significant barriers.