"No MDR framework has yet been finalised," Sitharaman said. She added that consumers would continue to make instant digital payments through UPI without paying a transaction charge
NPCI plans to use the country's vast diaspora to drive global expansion, while also exploring AI-enabled payments through platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini
Apple Pay is set to launch in India by October, initially supporting Visa and Mastercard credit cards but not UPI, as Apple negotiates transaction fees with banks
The Ministry of Finance said UPI users will continue to pay no transaction charges, while a possible MDR could apply only to select merchant transactions above a threshold.
The government reiterated that UPI will remain free for citizens, with no charges on everyday transactions for consumers
Sameer Nigam, CEO of PhonePe, on Saturday said in a social media post that consumers would continue to use UPI free of charge, even as questions around charges for consumers and merchants continued
The day's opinion highlights flaws in closing auctions, the funding challenge in digital payments, humane KYC, cognitive warfare and everyday gender discrimination
Potential UPI MDR could boost revenues for dominant players like PhonePe and Paytm, while giving smaller apps a viable path to profitability and customer acquisition
The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, could pave the way for an MDR on UPI. Here's how MDR works, the current structure and what may change
Only about 4% of UPI merchant transactions may attract an MDR under the proposed law, while all person-to-person UPI payments will remain free
Governor Sanjay Malhotra says discussions on a merchant discount rate for UPI are premature, stressing the need for sustained investment to strengthen India's digital payments infrastructure.
The proposed Bill doesn't impose MDR yet, but it gives the Centre the power to decide which digital payments remain free
Amendment to PSS Act is the first of several steps; rate, threshold and revenue-sharing formula still undecided
Proposed amendment shifts the power to notify fee-protected payment modes to the Centre, a move industry sources see as an early step towards a possible UPI MDR
Transaction volume rose 4.1 per cent from June and 22 per cent year-on-year as everyday digital payments and growing adoption beyond metropolitan markets supported growth
NTT Data says India remains its most important payments market despite zero MDR challenges, as it expands Adaptis and invests in value-added payment solutions
Tax experts say one of the biggest misconceptions among taxpayers is that the income-tax department watches every small UPI transaction in real time
Retirement fund body is expected to launch the BHIM-linked UPI facility after resolving issues with its revamped member portal and stabilising the upgraded digital system
Smaller UPI apps have urged NPCI to reconsider UPI Meta, warning the proposed one-click checkout feature could further strengthen PhonePe and Google Pay's dominance
In a joint representation, smaller payment apps urged NPCI to widen consultations, warning the proposed checkout framework could entrench the dominance of larger rivals