UPI Charges Explained: Will Users Have to Pay?


    By Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)

    Summary :


    UPI users will continue to make payments without transaction charges, while P2P payments will remain free. A proposed amendment could allow MDR on select merchant transactions above a specified threshold. The government has said any such MDR would be nominal and lower than debit and credit card charges.

    UPI

    Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a part of everyday payments in India. Whether it’s for making payments for groceries or utility bills or sending money to relatives, UPI makes digital payments easy and swift.

    The scope of UPI can be understood from its recent transaction statistics. In July 2026, 2,366 crore transactions were made, worth ₹29.9 lakh crore. This platform is also expanding beyond India and is available in 11 countries.

    This growth has brought a fresh debate around the cost of running the UPI network. A recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, led to concerns that users could eventually be charged for making UPI payments.

    The Ministry of Finance has now addressed those concerns, at least for users. It has said that consumers will not be charged for making UPI payments. Person-to-Person (P2P) transactions will also remain free.

    What is the recent UPI change?

    There has been a proposal made by the Government for an amendment to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act of 2007. The proposal is part of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

    The change does not itself introduce a charge on UPI payments. Instead, it creates a framework under which Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) could be introduced in the future.

    What is Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)?

    MDR is a fee linked to a merchant transaction. It is generally paid by the merchant when a digital payment is processed and can be shared among the different entities involved in the payment chain.

    The government has said that if Parliament passes the proposed amendment, the UPI and Services Steering Committee, headed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), will decide whether MDR should be introduced.

    Who Will Pay and Who Won’t?

    For people using UPI to make payments, there is no change in the current position.

    The government has specifically said that consumers will not face transaction charges. P2P payments will also continue to be free.

    So, sending money to a friend or family member through UPI will not attract a new fee. The same applies to everyday payments made by citizens through the platform.

    This clarification matters because UPI is no longer limited to large cities or tech-savvy users. It is now used for many small-value payments, including transactions at neighbourhood shops and by small businesses.

    MDR to Be Limited to Select Merchant Payments

    The government has said that any future MDR would not apply to every merchant transaction. It would be limited to certain transactions above a specified threshold.

    The rate would also be nominal. According to the Ministry of Finance, it would be much lower than the MDR charged on debit and credit card transactions.

    What happens from here?

    The proposed amendment still needs Parliament's approval. Until then, there is no new MDR framework arising from this proposal.

    If the Bill is passed, the UPI and Services Steering Committee will decide whether MDR should be introduced and, if so, how it should work.

    Source: Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)

    About the Author

    SEBI Registered Research Analyst (INH000006396).


    Founded in 1986, Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) brings decades of experience in India’s equity markets. DSIJ's research combines fundamental analysis with price action, guided by disciplined risk management and capital preservation. They follow a structured, data-driven approach designed to help investors and traders make informed decisions beyond short-term market noise. 

    Published Date : 10 Aug 2026

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    Content Partner - Dalal Street Investment Journal Wealth Advisory Private Limited



    This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks. DSIJ Wealth Advisory Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (Reg. No: INH000006396) and Investment Adviser (Reg. No: INA000001142). Please consult your financial adviser before investing. 

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