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Mdr Charges

UPI continues to grow strongly, volumes up 23% at 24.07 bn in September

Clocks highest daily avg volume of over 800 mn transactions

UPI continues to grow strongly, volumes up 23% at 24.07 bn in September
Updated On : 01 Oct 2026 | 9:39 PM IST

SC to hear plea against MDR on UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 on Monday

The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a plea challenging the Centre's decision to impose a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions of over Rs 2,000. Ending nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, the government has introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on transfers worth over Rs 2,000 made to merchants through the UPI platform from October 15 while explicitly ring-fencing everyday person-to-person transactions and small payments from any charge. The MDR will be capped at Rs 300 for payments of Rs 75,000 and above. Essential and thin-margin sectors -- railways, telecom, insurance, fuel and agricultural inputs -- will pay a flat MDR of Rs 5 per transaction above Rs 2,000. Payments into mutual funds, securities and through stockbrokers and dealers will attract 0.02 per cent MDR, also capped at Rs 300. Person-to-person (P2P) transfers -- which make up 37 per cent of UPI's transaction volume and 70 per cent of its transaction value -- will continue to

SC to hear plea against MDR on UPI merchant payments above ₹2,000 on Monday
Updated On : 27 Sep 2026 | 12:58 PM IST

UPI MDR is not a tax, won't mean extra cost for customers: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the charge on specified merchant transactions above ₹2,000 will be borne within the payments ecosystem, while UPI payments by customers will remain free

UPI MDR is not a tax, won't mean extra cost for customers: FM Sitharaman
Updated On : 25 Sep 2026 | 9:40 AM IST

UPI Above Rs 2,000: Why Charge If Only 4% Are Affected? | Rohit Mahajan

In this episode of Manager's Mantra, Rohit Mahajan, Founder and CEO of Plutos ONE, discusses the debate around UPI and MDR, and how AI is making it easier for people to build new products

Icon YoutubeUPI Above Rs 2,000: Why Charge If Only 4% Are Affected? | Rohit Mahajan
Updated On : 21 Sep 2026 | 1:46 PM IST

The ₹1-lakh question: When does a small UPI merchant stop being 'small'?

Merchants receiving up to ₹1 lakh a month in eligible UPI QR payments remain outside the new MDR regime, but repeated breaches can trigger reclassification to P2M

The ₹1-lakh question: When does a small UPI merchant stop being 'small'?
Updated On : 20 Sep 2026 | 12:18 PM IST

Paytm vs Pine Labs vs One MobiKwik: Analyst decodes fintech stock charts

Fintech stocks react to MDR news: Paytm, Pine Labs and One MobiKwik Systems decline up to 13% during the week, recover on Friday. Here's why the tech analyst remains bullish on Paytm and Pine Labs.

Paytm vs Pine Labs vs One MobiKwik: Analyst decodes fintech stock charts
Updated On : 18 Sep 2026 | 12:13 PM IST

'Don’t put the burden on us': What Delhi shopkeepers say about the new UPI charges | MDR

UPI payments will remain free for consumers, but from October 15, eligible merchants will face a 0.4% MDR on certain UPI transactions above ₹2,000.

Icon Youtube'Don’t put the burden on us': What Delhi shopkeepers say about the new UPI charges | MDR
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 10:33 PM IST

No foreign influence behind MDR on UPI payments above ₹2,000: FinMin

The finance ministry on Wednesday clarified that there was no foreign influence behind the decision to impose 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. The clarification follows accusations by some Opposition parties, including the Congress, that the government succumbed to US pressure in taking the decision to impose the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). "Some claims suggest the change is due to foreign influence. This is false. India's UPI policy decisions are made independently, with the clear goal of building a self-sustaining, inclusive, and affordable digital payments ecosystem," the finance ministry said in a post on X. Since its launch in 2016, UPI has grown into the world's largest real-time interoperable payment system - entirely on India's own terms, it said. UPI processed 24.5 billion transactions in August 2026 alone. To keep this system self-sustainable, secure and innovative, a small fee on high-value merchant transactions helps fund better

No foreign influence behind MDR on UPI payments above ₹2,000: FinMin
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 6:44 PM IST

UPI MDR above ₹2,000 may attract 18% GST; merchants can claim ITC

Merchants would have to pay 18 per cent GST on the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges for UPI payments above Rs 2,000, but can claim input tax credit (ITC), thereby easing the overall tax burden, tax experts said on Wednesday. Effective October 15, UPI payments to merchants (P2M) above Rs 2,000 will attract a 0.4 per cent merchant discount rate with an overall cap of Rs 300. Besides, a flat concessional MDR rate of Rs 5 would be applicable on specific merchant categories such as railways, telecom services, insurance, and fuel for transaction above Rs 2,000. The share of P2M UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 has steadily increased from 15.1 per cent in FY23 to 20.1 per cent in the June quarter of FY27, reflecting a sustained shift towards higher-value merchant payments on UPI. Under the proposed framework, the MDR would be borne by the merchants as a charge for payment settlement services. Since the charge is to be borne by merchants for processing and settling digital payment ...

UPI MDR above ₹2,000 may attract 18% GST; merchants can claim ITC
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 6:35 PM IST

'Tax maximisation' or a 'much-needed step'? Verdict split on UPI MDR

UPI MDR has sparked a debate among major fintech players, with some calling it necessary for sustainability while others question the cost burden on merchants and businesses

'Tax maximisation' or a 'much-needed step'? Verdict split on UPI MDR
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 1:53 PM IST

UPI MDR explained: How new charges compare with debit, credit cards

Credit cards can cost merchants 1.5-2.5%, while debit cards can cost up to 0.9%; new UPI MDR is capped at Rs 300

UPI MDR explained: How new charges compare with debit, credit cards
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 1:24 PM IST

Paytm, Mobikwik rally up to 7% as NPCI levies charge on UPI transactions

Paytm shares rallied 7 per cent to a fresh 52-week high of ₹1,856.50 on the BSE. Mobikwik stock rose by 6 per cent to ₹214. However, Pine Labs slumped 6 per cent to ₹182 per share.

Paytm, Mobikwik rally up to 7% as NPCI levies charge on UPI transactions
Updated On : 16 Sep 2026 | 10:20 AM IST

MDR on UPI payments: Six rules govt must settle before charges can start

The Bill opens the door to selective UPI MDR, but leaves the operating details undecided. Here are six questions the final framework will need to answer before any charge takes effect

MDR on UPI payments: Six rules govt must settle before charges can start
Updated On : 17 Aug 2026 | 9:04 AM IST

The case for keeping UPI free outweighs the costs of its infrastructure

It is worth seeing the argument from a perspective that does not limit itself to asking how UPI infrastructure costs ought to be funded

The case for keeping UPI free outweighs the costs of its infrastructure
Updated On : 14 Aug 2026 | 10:27 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Stock exchange closing auction system needs review

The day's opinion highlights flaws in closing auctions, the funding challenge in digital payments, humane KYC, cognitive warfare and everyday gender discrimination

Best of BS Opinion: Stock exchange closing auction system needs review
Updated On : 07 Aug 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

Best of BS Opinion: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening

Today's opinions examine the RBI's inflation dilemma, rising life insurance surrenders, India's employment crisis, possible UPI charges and the shift from food to nutrition security

Best of BS Opinion: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening
Updated On : 06 Aug 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

Baseless, false: Finance Ministry denies reports of fee on UPI transactions

"The Government remains fully committed to promoting digital payments via UPI," the finance ministry said

Baseless, false: Finance Ministry denies reports of fee on UPI transactions
Updated On : 11 Jun 2025 | 10:09 PM IST

Explained: How 2% MDR on RuPay-UPI may affect credit card industry

According to analysts, SBI Card and Paytm stand to gain the most if RBI agrees to levy 2% merchant discount rate (MDR) on RuPay-based credit cards linked to UPI

Explained: How 2% MDR on RuPay-UPI may affect credit card industry
Updated On : 27 Jul 2022 | 6:50 PM IST

Top events today: Gen Rawat to take over as CDS, Railway fare hike, & more

Business Standard brings you top events that are lined up for Wednesday

Top events today: Gen Rawat to take over as CDS, Railway fare hike, & more
Updated On : 01 Jan 2020 | 3:05 PM IST

FM's New Year gift: No MDR charges on RuPay, UPI payments from Jan 1

Department of Revenue (DoR) will soon notify RuPay and UPI as the prescribed mode of payment for digital transactions without any Merchant Discount Rate

FM's New Year gift: No MDR charges on RuPay, UPI payments from Jan 1
Updated On : 28 Dec 2019 | 9:03 PM IST