UPI Users Alert: Major Rule Changes from August 1 — Full List Here
UPI users alert! From Aug 1, NPCI rules cap balance checks, alter autopay timings, and enhance security. Learn what’s changing for your payments.
UPI Rules from August 1: Balance Checks, Autopay, Fraud Prevention — What’s New
Starting today, new UPI rules issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) come into effect, aiming to improve payment efficiency and strengthen safeguards against fraud. The guidelines apply to all major UPI apps, including Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
⚡ Balance Enquiry Limits
From today, users can check their bank balance up to 50 times per day. UPI apps may also temporarily limit balance enquiries during peak transaction hours to ease system load. Importantly, every transaction will now display the available balance instantly, offering better transparency.
💳 Auto Payment Processing
Recurring payments such as subscriptions or utility bills will no longer be processed during peak hours. NPCI has directed that such autopayments will only be executed before 10 AM, between 1 PM–5 PM, or after 9:30 PM.
♦ If an autopayment is scheduled at 11 AM, it may be processed before or after this slot.
♦ Users will receive multiple retries for successful deduction, failing which the transaction will be cancelled.
🏦 Accessing Linked Bank Details
Customers can now view their linked bank accounts up to 25 times daily. These requests must be initiated by selecting the issuer bank within the UPI app, further tightening security controls.
⏱ Faster Transaction Status Updates
One of the most common user complaints — money debited but not credited — is being addressed. From today, pending payments will update within seconds instead of staying in limbo. However, users can check a transaction’s status only 3 times, with a 90-second gap between attempts.
👤 Recipient Details for Every Transaction
To reduce the risk of fraud, the registered name of the recipient will now be displayed to the sender before confirming a transfer. The name will appear alongside the transaction ID on the UPI app screen.
⚖️ Compliance & Penalties
The NPCI circular warns that failure to comply with these new norms may invite strict action, including UPI API restrictions, penalties, or even suspension of new customer onboarding.
✅ Why It Matters
These rules, announced on May 21, are designed to:
♦ Enhance the efficiency of UPI apps
♦ Reduce system load during peak hours
♦ Strengthen fraud prevention mechanisms
♦ Improve user experience with faster updates and greater transparency
