UPI error HS1: NPCI HSM offline
Raised by: NPCI UPI switch. Source: NPCI, UPI Error and Response Codes v2.9, section 4.4, errors from the UPI service layer.
What it means
NPCI's switch reported its HSM as offline. The HSM (hardware security module) handles encryption, such as checking encrypted PIN blocks. NPCI lists HS1 without a technical or business tag.
Not fully documented: NPCI doesn't say at which step HS1 is raised; HSM checks normally happen before the debit.
No. This decline happens before your account is debited.
Nothing to refund in the normal case. If a debit does show on your statement, the bank must reverse it by T+1 for a transfer to a person, or T+5 for a payment to a merchant.
NPCI's UPI switch.
NPCI doesn't classify this one as technical or business.
What you should do
Wait a few minutes and try again, or use another UPI app. Check your statement first in case money left your account.
If you are a merchant, bank or PSP
Switch-side issue. Retry after a gap; nothing to change in your request.
UPI error HS1 kya hai?
HS1 ka matlab hai NPCI ka encryption system (HSM) offline tha.
Related codes
If it still isn't sorted
- Raise a complaint inside your UPI app. Every UPI app has a help or dispute option on the transaction, and it goes into NPCI's online dispute system. Keep the UPI transaction ID or RRN handy.
- If the app doesn't resolve it, contact your bank's grievance desk with the same reference.
- If your bank hasn't replied within 30 days, or you're not happy with the reply, complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. It's free.
Technical or business decline?
NPCI splits declines into two kinds. A technical decline means a system didn't respond or failed: a bank offline, a timeout, a switch error. A business decline means the systems worked and said no, for a reason about the account or the payment: wrong PIN, not enough money, a limit, a risk check. Retrying helps with some technical declines and almost never with business ones.