UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, has become India’s most used digital payment system. Whether you’re paying for groceries or splitting a bill with a friend, UPI makes it quick and convenient. But from August 1, 2025, some important rule changes are coming that every user should know about.
About UPI and Why the Rules Are Changing
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), along with government support, has issued several updates to ensure better security and system efficiency. With over 10 billion monthly transactions, maintaining speed, safety, and service quality is crucial. These new rules aim to address transaction abuse, fraud risks, and system load.
Key New UPI Rules You Must Know
1. Daily Balance Check Limit
You can now check your account balance on UPI apps only up to 50 times per day per app. This limit is meant to reduce system congestion and misuse.
2. Linked Account View Restriction
Each app can display linked bank accounts only 25 times per day. All requests must be user-initiated manually.
3. Status Checks for Transactions
If your payment is pending, you can only check its status 3 times with a minimum 90-second gap between each request.
4. New Autopay Time Slots
Recurring UPI payments such as for subscriptions or loans will now be processed only during specific time windows:
- Before 10:00 AM
- Between 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- After 9:30 PM
Each mandate will be retried three times if it fails the first time.
5. UPI ID Deactivation
Any UPI ID that remains inactive for more than 12 months will be automatically deactivated. This prevents misuse of dormant accounts.
6. Verified Recipient Names and Response Times
You’ll now see the exact name of the receiver before confirming a payment. Banks must also respond to UPI system calls in less than 10 seconds to avoid delays.
What About Charges and SBI Credit Card on UPI?
For regular bank-to-bank UPI transfers, there are no charges. But if you’re using a SBI credit card on UPI for merchant payments, fees may apply as per the bank’s policy. UPI itself does not charge users, but your issuing bank might, especially for high-value or credit card-based transactions.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
The government’s goal is to build a strong, safe, and scalable digital payment infrastructure. These updates will:
- Reduce fraud and misuse
- Improve user verification and experience
- Ensure balanced system usage during peak hours
Should You Be Concerned?
Most casual users won’t be affected. Just avoid frequent balance checks, be aware of the auto-debit timing, and confirm charges if you use UPI with a credit card. These updates are aimed at improving security and reliability.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. UPI rules may vary slightly depending on your bank or app. Please check with your service provider for specific details.
