DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
★ SPECIAL PRINT EDITION ★
SECTION: BUSINESS
Govt Keeps UPI Transactions of Up to Rs 2,000 Free of Charges

Govt Keeps UPI Transactions of Up to Rs 2,000 Free of Charges

Sep 15, 2026 - 08:57
UPI payments up to Rs 2,000 to remain free of charges: Govt
Listen to Story ~2m
Translate Article
0:00 Ready 0:00

Key Highlights

  • UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 remain free of charges.
  • A nominal MDR may be introduced on selected UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold.
  • Consumers and person-to-person payments continue to remain free.

The government has notified that banks and payment system providers cannot impose direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions of up to Rs 2,000 or payments made using RuPay debit cards.

This notification was issued under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The ministry of finance stated that "In exercise of the powers conferred 2,000,".

The notification keeps UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 free of charges and paves the way for a possible nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold.

Read More: Saudi Oil Pipeline Shutdown Sparks Global Oil Price Surge Amid Middle East Tensions

Launched Decade Ago Upi Processed

Launched a decade ago, UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs 29.82 trillion in August. Google Pay and Walmart-owned PhonePe accounted for around three-fourths of the month's total UPI transaction volume.

The government had indicated in August that consumers and person-to-person payments would continue to remain free. Any fee, if introduced, would be paid.

Finance Ministry Also Rejected Reports

The finance ministry also rejected reports that external influences were behind the proposed policy changes, describing such claims as "unfounded, completely false and misleading."

"s digital payments ecosystem sustainable, competitive and capable of supporting the country" said a government spokesperson.

Upi Transactions 2000 Remain Free

Key Background and Context

Government on Monday notified that banks and payment system providers cannot impose direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions of up to Rs 2,000 or payments made using RuPay debit cards.The notification was issued under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act. 2007.“In exercise of the powers conferred 2,000,” the ministry of finance said.“No bank or system provider shall impose.

Also Read: FPIs Pull Out Rs 13,138 Crore from Indian Equities in Sept Amid Global Uncertainty

Whether directly or indirectly, any charge upon a person making or receiving a payment The notification keeps UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 free of charges and paves the way for a possible nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold.The government had indicated in August that consumers and person-to-person payments would continue to remain free. Any fee, if introduced, would be paid The government said the proposed changes were part of a broader effort to make India’s digital payments ecosystem sustainable, competitive and capable of supporting the country’s growing digital economy.The finance ministry also rejected reports that external influences were behind the proposed policy changes, describing such claims as “unfounded, completely false and misleading.”Launched a decade ago, UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs 29.82 trillion in August.

Google Pay and Walmart-owned PhonePe accounted for around three-fourths of the month’s total UPI transaction volume. Government on Monday notified that banks and payment system providers cannot impose direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions of up to Rs 2,000 or payments made using RuPay debit cards.The notification was issued under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.“In exercise of the powers conferred 2,000,” the ministry of finance said.“No bank or system provider shall impose, whether directly or indirectly, any charge upon a person making or receiving a payment The notification keeps UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000 free of charges and paves the way for a possible nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold.The government had indicated in August that consumers and person-to-person payments would continue to remain free.

Any fee, if introduced, would be paid The government said the proposed changes were part of a broader effort to make India’s digital payments ecosystem sustainable, competitive and capable of supporting the country’s growing digital economy.The finance ministry also rejected reports that external influences were behind the proposed policy changes, describing such claims as “unfounded, completely false and misleading.”Launched a decade ago, UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions worth Rs 29.82 trillion in August. Google Pay and Walmart-owned PhonePe accounted for around three-fourths of the month’s total UPI transaction volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rs 2,000

A nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) may be introduced on selected UPI merchant transactions.

What's Your Reaction?

Like Like 1
Dislike Dislike
Love Love 1
Funny Funny
Wow Wow 2
Sad Sad
Angry Angry

I write about the forces shaping business and the global economy, from startup growth and changing markets to international trade and policy. My work focuses on breaking down complex developments into clear, practical insights and understanding what they could mean for businesses, investors, and the wider economy.

Comments (0)

User