NEW DELHI: India has postponed the planned introduction of a 0.4% merchant fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions above ₹2,000 until after the Diwali festival, according to a Reuters report published on October 13, 2026.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced the delay, citing the festive season and the need to accommodate the increase in consumer spending during this period.
The fee had originally been scheduled to take effect on October 15. The revised implementation date is yet to be announced.
The proposed charge has drawn opposition from retail traders concerned about the potential impact on businesses that accept digital payments. The postponement gives merchants and payment service providers additional time to prepare for the proposed change.
UPI remains one of India's most widely used digital payment systems, allowing customers to transfer money and make purchases through mobile applications.
Consumers and merchants should follow official NPCI announcements for confirmation of the final implementation date and applicable charges.
WINPUBLIC TV — Business News Desk
