Big UPI Changes From Aug 1: What Google Pay, PhonePe Users Must Know
NPCI will enforce new UPI rules from Aug 1. Daily limits on balance checks, reversals, and status requests will affect apps like Google Pay and PhonePe.
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The National Payments Corporation of India will roll out new Unified Payments Interface regulations on Aug. 1, aiming to enhance system performance, accelerate response times and strengthen digital payment oversight.
In an April 26 circular, NPCI flagged a surge in “Check Transaction Status” API calls from payment service provider banks. A follow‑up directive on May 21 instructed PSP and acquiring banks to limit both volume and frequency of system requests to prevent network congestion.
Under the revised framework, each UPI application will cap daily balance inquiries at 50 per user. The limit applies independently to every app, allowing checks across multiple wallets or banking platforms without overlap.
Automated payments will shift to three time slots: before 10 a.m., between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and after 9:30 p.m. Scheduled transactions outside these windows will queue until the next valid period, reducing load during peak hours.
Apps must now update failed or successful payment statuses within seconds. Long polling or repeated status checks that previously slowed the system will be curtailed by the new response‑time mandate.
Pending transaction status queries will be limited to three attempts per transaction, with at least 90 seconds between each request. This measure aims to control API traffic and prevent repetitive server calls.
Users will see a maximum of 25 daily views of their linked bank‑account list per app. Application back‑end systems triggering additional checks will face enforcement action.
Requesting payment reversals will be restricted to 10 requests within any 30‑day period, and no more than five for the same sender. This cap seeks to deter frivolous reversal filings and streamline dispute resolution.
To curb misdirection and fraud, the recipient’s registered bank name will display before users authorize UPI transfers. This step will help verify beneficiary details more clearly.
NPCI has warned that banks and apps exceeding usage guidelines or misusing APIs may incur penalties or see their UPI access curtailed. Regular audits and real‑time monitoring will enforce compliance across platforms.
