A Utility Bill Payment API allows businesses and developers to integrate utility bill payment services into their applications or platforms. This type of API enables customers to pay their utility bills—such as electricity, water, gas, broadband, and more—directly through the app or website. These APIs are commonly offered by payment gateways, banks, and platforms like BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) in India.

Here’s an overview of the common endpoints, flow, and key features of a Utility Bill Payment API:

Key Features:

• Bill Fetching: The API fetches pending bills for customers based on the information provided, like account number, customer ID, etc.
• Multiple Payment Methods: Supports various payment methods such as UPI, net banking, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets.
• Instant Payment Confirmation: Upon successful payment, customers receive real-time confirmation via SMS, email, or in-app notifications.
• Wide Bill Coverage: Supports payments for various utility services such as electricity, water, gas, DTH, internet, and postpaid mobile bills.
• Transaction History: Allows users to retrieve their past payment history.

Key API Endpoints:

1. Bill Fetch API

• Purpose: Fetch the pending utility bill details for a customer.
• Endpoint: /bill/fetch
• Method: POST
• Parameters:
• Biller ID: The ID of the utility service provider (e.g., electricity, water, gas).
• Customer ID/Account Number: Identifier specific to the customer provided by the utility company.
• Mobile Number: (Optional) For verification and communication purposes.
• Response: Bill details such as:
• Amount Due: Total bill amount.
• Due Date: Deadline for the payment.
• Biller Name: Name of the utility company.
• Service Period: The billing period for which the amount is due.

2. Bill Payment API

• Purpose: Initiate and process the payment for a utility bill.
• Endpoint: /bill/pay
• Method: POST
• Parameters:
• Biller ID: Utility provider ID.
• Customer ID/Account Number: Specific customer identification used by the biller.
• Bill Amount: Amount to be paid.
• Payment Method: (e.g., UPI, credit card, debit card, net banking).
• Transaction ID: Unique transaction ID generated by the platform for tracking purposes.
• Payment Details: Information like payment mode, bank, card details (if applicable).
• Response:
• Transaction Status: Success, failure, or pending.
• Transaction ID: A unique ID to track the payment status.
• Payment Date: Date and time when the transaction was processed.
• Biller Acknowledgment: A confirmation code provided by the biller.

3. Check Payment Status API

• Purpose: Check the status of a utility bill payment after it has been initiated.
• Endpoint: /bill/status
• Method: POST
• Parameters:
• Transaction ID: Unique transaction ID associated with the payment.
• Biller ID: Utility service provider ID.
• Response:
• Payment Status: Success, failure, or pending.
• Transaction Date: Date when the payment was processed.
• Reference Number: A reference number from the biller for successful payments.

4. Refund API

• Purpose: Process refunds for bill payments, if required.
• Endpoint: /bill/refund
• Method: POST
• Parameters:
• Transaction ID: The original transaction ID for which the refund is being processed.
• Refund Amount: The amount to be refunded.
• Refund Reason: Reason for refund (e.g., duplicate payment, cancellation).
• Response:
• Refund Status: Status of the refund (initiated, completed, or failed).
• Refund ID: Unique ID associated with the refund.
• Date: The date when the refund was processed.

5. Transaction History API

• Purpose: Retrieve the customer’s bill payment history over a certain period.
• Endpoint: /transaction/history
• Method: GET
• Parameters:
• Customer ID: Customer identifier for whom the transaction history is to be retrieved.
• Date Range: Start and end date for the required history.
• Response:
• List of past transactions, including:
• Transaction ID
• Biller Name
• Bill Amount
• Payment Status
• Date of Payment

6. Biller List API

• Purpose: Retrieve the list of billers available for utility bill payments.
• Endpoint: /biller/list
• Method: GET
• Response:
• A list of billers, including:
• Biller ID
• Biller Name
• Supported Bill Types (e.g., electricity, water, gas)
• Service Regions (optional)

Security Measures:

• Data Encryption: Payment data is encrypted to ensure secure transactions.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Users are often required to authenticate payments through OTPs or PINs.
• Compliance: Adherence to regulatory frameworks such as RBI and NPCI’s guidelines ensures that bill payment platforms are secure.

API Integration Flow:

1. Bill Inquiry:
• The customer enters their bill details (e.g., customer ID, account number), and the platform uses the Bill Fetch API to retrieve the outstanding bill.
2. Payment Processing:
• The customer selects a payment method, and the platform invokes the Bill Payment API to complete the transaction.
3. Payment Confirmation:
• After the payment is processed, the platform checks the payment status using the Check Payment Status API.
4. Notification:
• The customer receives a payment confirmation or failure message, along with the transaction reference number for future tracking.
5. Refund Handling:
• If the customer requests a refund or a payment failure occurs, the platform can initiate the refund process using the Refund API.
6. Transaction History:
• Customers can view past bill payments using the Transaction History API.

Popular Use Cases:

• Banking Apps: Integration of bill payments into banking apps to allow users to pay utility bills directly.
• E-Wallets: Digital wallets can offer utility bill payments as a service to customers.
• E-Commerce Platforms: Allowing customers to pay utility bills along with shopping.

By integrating a Utility Bill Payment API, businesses can offer seamless bill payment services to their customers, enhancing the user experience and providing a convenient way to manage utility bills.