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Wire · operational-macro

UPI MDR: Who Will Pay? Here's What The New Rules Mean For Customers

Published

9 August 2026

Topic

operational-macro

◆ Sectors

Fintech

◆ Geography

India

◆ Source

Read at ndtvprofit.com →

◆ Verified

Fusion42 · 28 August 2026 · Fusion42 review

The Indian government has clarified that UPI payments by consumers will remain free, while any future Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) will apply only to select high-value merchant transactions above a threshold. This change follows a legal amendment enabling MDR on UPI if needed to support ecosystem growth and security.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Fintech, and 17 sources have reported it between 4 Aug 2026 and 17 Aug 2026.

◆ ◆ The Wire takeaway

UPI payments will stay free for consumers, but merchants with large transactions face new cost risks from MDR. You need to start planning pricing or product changes for affected customers before these charges hit.

◆ Coverage

17 sources · first reported 4 Aug 2026 · latest 17 Aug 2026

◆ Related on Wire

◆ Topics

Fintechupimdrdigital-paymentsregulationindiafintech