Key Updates to UPI Rules Effective August 1, 2025

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is introducing a set of new guidelines for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions starting August 1, 2025. These changes are meant to streamline digital payments, enhance user experience, and ease banking system loads during high-traffic periods. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Daily Limit on Balance Checks

Users will now be restricted to checking their account balance no more than 50 times per day per UPI app. This cap is designed to prevent excessive load on banking servers, particularly during peak usage times. Additionally, after each successful UPI transaction, the app will automatically update and display the account balance to help users keep track without repeated manual checks.

2. Scheduled Autopay Windows

Recurring payments—such as EMIs, SIPs, and subscription renewals—set up via the UPI Autopay feature will now be processed only during specified hours:

• Before 10:00 am,
• Between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm,
• After 9:30 pm.

These timings intentionally exclude peak UPI periods: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm, aiming to smoothen out system load. If a scheduled autopay falls during these restricted timeframes, it may be executed just before or after the window. The system will attempt retries if the autopay doesn’t go through in the first attempt, but ultimately, if all retries fail, the transaction will not be processed that day.

3. Limited Access to Linked Account Details

To enhance security and reduce unnecessary server requests, users can now fetch information about accounts linked to their mobile number only 25 times per day across UPI apps. This function allows customers to view which bank accounts are associated with their mobile number, and requests can be made only after the user selects their issuing bank.

4. Faster Transaction Status Updates

During heavy usage hours, UPI transactions occasionally show pending or delayed statuses. According to the new policy, payment status must be updated almost instantly, providing users with clear and accurate feedback within seconds. If a transaction remains unclear, users can only check its status up to three times, each with a mandatory 90-second interval between checks.

5. Automatic Display of Recipient Name

Each time users initiate a UPI transfer, the app will now display the registered recipient name before confirming the payment. This step helps in verifying recipient details, reducing the risk of transferring money to unintended accounts.

Purpose and Impact

These measures, though relatively subtle for the end user, are engineered to:

• Reduce operational pressure on banks and payment apps, especially during busy periods
• Increase the efficiency and reliability of digital transactions
• Enhance transparency and security for individual users

The NPCI’s aim with these updates is to make UPI payments even more robust, reliable, and user-friendly encouraging greater adoption of digital payments across India.