{
  "id": 5351026,
  "title": "WhatsApp launches bill payments in India: How to pay electricity, gas, water bills on messaging app",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/whatsapp-launches-bill-payments-in-india-how-to-pay-electricity-gas-5351026",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-03T14:49:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/whatsapp-launches-bill-payments-in-india-how-to-pay-electricity-gas-water-bills-on-messaging-app-101788445676043.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "WhatsApp has introduced a bill payment feature in India, simplifying the process for users to manage and pay their everyday household and utility bills directly through the app. The service, powered by Bharat Connect (BBPS), enables payments to over 22,700 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards and loan repayments. To access bill payments, users simply tap the ₹ icon at the top of their WhatsApp home screen, where they can view past payments, upcoming bills, manage multiple accounts under a single provider and choose their preferred payment mode. Arun Srinivas, Meta India's Managing Director and Country Head, emphasized that WhatsApp is already the simplest way for millions of Indians to stay connected and access services, with bill payments further streamlining a routine household task. The feature is the second major announcement by WhatsApp since Kunal Shah's appointment as CEO, following the launch of browser calling, which allows users to make and receive audio and video calls directly through WhatsApp Web.",
  "summary": "WhatsApp users can tap the ₹ icon at the top of the home screen to access bill payments, said a press release",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}