Overview
The UPI platform will start charging a MDR from 15 October 2026. The Ministry of Finance plans to discuss with the IBA how much of the existing government subsidy should continue and in what form.
Key Developments
- The MDR charge will become effective on 15 Oct 2026 across all UPI transactions.
- The government will not postpone the implementation date.
- Discussions with the IBA will decide the future quantum and modality of the subsidy to merchants.
- Efforts will be made to ensure that merchants do not transfer the MDR cost to the consumer.
Important Facts
The current MDR on UPI is lower than the cost of operating the payment infrastructure. Without a continued subsidy, the platform may face financial strain. The government’s role is to balance fiscal prudence with the need to keep digital payments affordable and widely adopted.
Exam Relevance
This development touches upon several GS‑3 (Economy) themes: digital payments, fisc