Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of quietly paving the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions, alleging it's a surrender to American pressure. The government's recent notification exempts charges only up to Rs 2,000, sparking concerns that higher value transactions and eventually all UPI payments could incur fees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, clarified that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers, and supports digital infrastructure.
India's UPI International payment system is now playing a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, enabling seamless disaster relief donations from Indian users to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, showcasing its growing global acceptance and utility beyond tourism. UPI IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Unsplash Key Points UPI International, initially for Indian tourists, is now facilitating disaster relief donations to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The embassy of Nepal in India is actively encouraging Indian users to utilise their UPI apps for these contributions. This marks a significant shift, expanding UPI's cross-border use case beyond tourism to include inbound collection for foreign governments. The move positions UPI International alongside global payment giants like Alipay+ and UnionPay for international aid. Donors need to activate the UPI International feature on their apps to transact, with amounts converted from INR to NPR.
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has voiced concerns that the government's new 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 could reverse the progress of digital payment adoption among small retailers. This fee, effective October 15, places the burden on merchants operating on thin margins, potentially pushing them back to cash transactions and undermining the government's formalisation agenda, especially ahead of the festive season.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective from October 15, with a comprehensive framework set to take full effect by October 15, 2026. This policy aims to regulate transaction fees while protecting small merchants and person-to-person transactions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded UPI on its 10th anniversary, highlighting its role in India's digital transformation. Launched by NPCI in 2016, UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system, witnessing a massive surge in transaction volume and value, demonstrating its success in empowering people with swift, seamless, and secure digital transactions.
State Bank of India (SBI) anticipates that the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions above 2,000, effective October 15, will enable it to recover the costs incurred in processing and facilitating these transactions, potentially even generating a small surplus.
Apple has officially launched its Apple Pay service in India, initially partnering with Axis Bank for Visa and Mastercard credit card users. The service allows secure, cashless transactions via iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch using NFC technology, without requiring PINs or OTPs. This move is set to intensify competition in India's digital payments market, currently dominated by UPI and local players, with Apple planning to onboard more banks and expand merchant networks.
Government sources clarify that the 0.4% merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, will not be passed on to consumers. The charge, paid by merchants, aims to create a sustainable revenue framework for the digital payments ecosystem, with funds shared among banks and UPI entities. Small merchants using QR codes for up to Rs 1 lakh monthly are exempt.
Moving beyond digital payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the operator of Unified Payments Interface, is planning to add more muscle to the country's digital infrastructure by setting up a fourth subsidiary, NPCI Tech Solutions Ltd (NTSL).
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, marking the end of nearly six years of free service. Person-to-person transfers and small-value transactions below Rs 2,000 remain free. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is capped at Rs 300 for transactions above Rs 75,000, with differentiated rates for essential sectors and investments, and safeguards to prevent costs from being passed to consumers.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government's proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on high-value UPI transactions, calling it a "chungi" (tax) on digital payments. He alleged the move was an attempt to extract money from people's transactions, contradicting the government's goal of a trillion-dollar economy. The new UPI framework will impose a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, with certain sectors having a flat Rs 5 MDR.
Shares of fintech firms, particularly Paytm, saw significant movement after the Indian government introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI transfers exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective October 15.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transfers above Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective October 15, ending nearly six years of free merchant payments. This move led to initial rallies in fintech stocks like Paytm and Mobikwik, though some later pared gains. Person-to-person transactions and small payments remain free for customers, with the fee being a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).
Trade and business associations across India are organising a 'No UPI Day' on October 2 to protest the upcoming 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding 2,000, effective from October 15.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has endorsed the introduction of a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, which levies a 0.4 per cent fee on merchant payments above the threshold, aims to bolster the long-term sustainability and growth of India's digital payments ecosystem. The RBI clarified that person-to-person (P2P) transactions and small person-to-merchant (P2M) payments below Rs 2,000 will remain free for users, ensuring no direct charge on customers.
Parliament was informed that UPI has onboarded 55.49 crore users by June 2026, with transactions reaching 24,162 crore in volume and Rs 314 lakh crore in value in FY 2025-26. The platform, operated by NPCI, is expanding internationally through NIPL, facilitating cross-border payments and assisting other nations in building similar systems. Significant efforts are also underway by the Government, RBI, and NPCI to enhance the security and transparency of UPI transactions, including risk-based limits, security frameworks, and public awareness campaigns against cyber-crime.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
RBI Deputy Governor S C Murmu stated that the introduction of merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions is unlikely to cause a shift back to cash, despite some concerns, emphasising that MDR will help the payments ecosystem recover costs.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the newly introduced Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions, labelling it a "UPI tax" and demanding its immediate rollback. He drew parallels with demonetisation, arguing that the new framework would negatively impact small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary citizens by increasing prices.
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted that the success of UPI, which handles nearly half of the world's real-time digital transactions, stems from a collaborative ecosystem including financial inclusion, digital identity, and affordable internet. He attributed this digital payments revolution to the vision of PM Narendra Modi.
Left parties have strongly condemned the government's decision to impose charges on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, with CPI General Secretary D Raja alleging the move was made under "US pressure" to favour foreign payment companies. Both CPI and All India Forward Bloc demand the withdrawal of this "anti-people decision," arguing it burdens consumers and merchants while undermining UPI's role as a public digital infrastructure. They highlight concerns that the charges weaken India's digital sovereignty and serve commercial interests of foreign corporations like Visa and Mastercard.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a decade since its launch, becoming the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem. It has seen exponential growth in transaction volume and value, expanding financial inclusion and setting a global benchmark for real-time payments.
Can your money be protected against online frauds like hacking, digital arrests, etc?
The Indian government has clarified that consumers will not be charged for UPI transactions, and most merchant transactions will also remain free. This comes amidst speculation following an amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. Any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be nominal, threshold-based, and aimed at ensuring UPI's long-term sustainability and infrastructure development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completing a decade, calling it a major turning point in India's digital payment journey. Launched in 2016, UPI has become the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem, showing exponential growth in transaction volume and value, and is a key pillar of the Digital Public Infrastructure.
A think tank, GTRI, has urged India to resist US pressure regarding its UPI policies, advocating for competition, policy autonomy, and a sustainable payments ecosystem. This comes as the Lok Sabha passed a bill allowing charges on UPI, and the US has criticised India's digital payment systems, raising concerns about the future of India's digital payment landscape.
PhonePe, at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, unveiled its strategic vision for the next decade, focusing on inclusive digital progress for individuals, households, and businesses across India. The roadmap details innovations in financial inclusion, wealth creation, credit access, and merchant solutions.
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) have successfully integrated the Maldives' instant payment system 'Favara' with India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This enables real-time fund transfers from Maldives to UPI-enabled Indian bank accounts, marking a significant step in cross-border digital financial connectivity and bilateral economic cooperation.
The Payments Council of India has confirmed that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will continue to be free for consumers and small merchants, despite a recent Lok Sabha Bill. This clarification addresses concerns about potential charges, emphasising that while a sustainable financial model for UPI infrastructure is being developed, transaction charges will not be passed on to users or small businesses.
India's UPI system continues its rapid growth, dominating retail payments. Recent amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act allow for targeted Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) on high-value merchant transactions, aiming to create a self-sustaining revenue model for the ecosystem while keeping P2P and low-value payments free. This move could generate significant revenue and encourage ecosystem participation.
A think tank, GTRI, has urged India to resist US pressure regarding its UPI policies, advocating for the defence of competition, policy autonomy, and the long-term sustainability of its payments ecosystem. This comes as the Lok Sabha passed a bill allowing charges on UPI transactions, a move GTRI suggests should not be influenced by foreign trade complaints.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on digital transactions applies to merchants, not customers, and aims to support banks and fintech in infrastructure investment. She countered Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's claims, stating that a committee will decide on MDR only after Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a process currently stalled by parliamentary disruptions.
The move comes amid growing demand from organisations in India for local access to Claude.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions moderated slightly in June from a record high in May, reaching Rs 28.9 lakh crore. Despite a month-on-month decrease in volume, the daily average transactions hit a new high, indicating UPI's strong adoption for low-value payments. The platform also demonstrated significant annual growth and expanding international presence.
UPI transactions in India reached record highs in May, driven by summer travel and the IPL, with transaction value hitting Rs 29.90 lakh crore and volume reaching 23.2 billion.
Users experienced difficulties with UPI payments due to technical issues in some banks' systems. NPCI stated that its systems are operational and it is working with banks to resolve the problems.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to consider linking the ATM interchange fee to the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), alongside a potential hike from the current 19 to 21-22, which could impact customer charges for transactions beyond the free limit.
India and Nepal have launched a peer-to-peer (P2P) cross-border remittance mechanism, linking India's UPI with Nepal's NPI. This system allows real-time money transfers via mobile banking, enhancing convenience for travellers and businesses, fostering financial inclusion, and strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
UPI transactions reached 22.35 billion in April, marking a 25 per cent increase compared to April 2025. UPI now accounts for 85 per cent of all digital transactions in India and is live in eight countries.
