STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
UPI’s New MDR: Cost For Merchants, But No Charge For Customers Seen
With Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processing 24 billion transactions worth about $311 billion in August 2026, the new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework marks a significant change in the economics of India’s largest digital payment network, although the immediate impact on consumers is expected to be limited because the customer-facing UPI transaction remains free. What […]
Sajan C Kumar
·
Sep 16, 2026
STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
UPI To Remain Free For P2P Transfers, 96% Of Merchant Transactions: Govt
The new Unified Payments Interface (UPI) framework will have no impact on person-to-person transactions, with all P2P UPI payments continuing to remain completely free irrespective of the amount transferred. The framework will also keep merchant payments up to ₹2,000 free of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). Transactions covered under the zero-MDR framework for small merchants will […]
CW Bureau
·
Sep 15, 2026
STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
ToneTag Launches India’s First In-Car Fuel Payment Solution With IndianOil
ToneTag, a global payment infrastructure and sound-based communication technology company, has launched India’s first in-car fuel payment solution at Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, using an IoT-enabled implementation of NPCI’s UPI Circle framework for TATA.CARS’ DrivePay solution in collaboration with IndianOil. The solution enables customers to pay securely for fuel at IndianOil outlets directly through […]
CW Bureau
·
Sep 11, 2026
BANKING & FINANCE
UPI Turns 10: How It Scaled From 1.78 Crore To 24,162 Crore Transactions
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched on August 25, 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), completes a decade of transforming the way India makes payments. What started as a digital payments platform has evolved into the backbone of India’s digital payments […]
CW Bureau
·
Aug 24, 2026
GENERAL
UPI To Remain Free For Users; Limited Merchant MDR May Be Introduced
The government on Saturday categorically clarified that UPI users will not face any transaction charges, while the vast majority of merchant transactions will also remain free under any future merchant discount rate (MDR) framework. The clarification comes amid debate over the recent amendment to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act (PSS Act), with the government […]
CW Bureau
·
Aug 8, 2026
STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
EbixCash Integrates Wallet With BHIM UPI, Scales UPI Payment Capabilities
EbixCash has integrated its Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) Wallet with BHIM UPI, allowing its more than 14 lakh active wallet users to make UPI QR code payments directly using their wallet balance. The move is aimed at boosting customer engagement and increasing transaction volumes by making the wallet part of India’s mainstream UPI ecosystem. The […]
CW Bureau
·
Aug 5, 2026
STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
India Signs Pacts With 24 Countries To Drive Global Reach Of India Stack
India has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with 24 countries to promote the adoption of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), marking a significant step in exporting homegrown digital governance platforms such as India Stack, DigiLocker, UPI, e-Sanjeevani and e-Office to partner nations. The agreements provide a framework for collaboration in capacity building, knowledge sharing, technical […]
CW Bureau
·
Jul 30, 2026
STARTUP/TECHNOLOGY
Paytm Launches Pocket Money For Teenagers To Make UPI Payments
Paytm (One 97 Communications Ltd), India’s full-stack merchant payments leader serving MSMEs and enterprises, and the pioneer of mobile payments, QR codes and Soundbox, has announced the launch of Paytm Pocket Money. The feature enables teenagers to make Paytm UPI payments without having their own bank account, while allowing parents and trusted family members to […]
CW Bureau
·
May 18, 2026
