NPCI defers UPI MDR charges until after Diwali 2026
In short
NPCI has put off the new MDR charge on some person-to-merchant UPI payments until after Diwali 2026. The exact date is still not known, and the charge has not been cancelled.
This matters because merchants and users will not face the fee yet. It is still unclear when the charge will actually begin.
What the reporting says
NPCI has deferred implementation of Merchant Discount Rate charges on select person-to-merchant UPI transactions until after Diwali 2026. The summary says the exact date is still not announced and the deferment does not cancel the proposed charges. The immediate consequence is a later start for the fee, while the final rollout date remains unknown.
Why it matters
NPCI has deferred the implementation of Merchant Discount Rate charges on select person-to-merchant UPI transactions until after Diwali 2026, according to the provided summary. The exact date has not been announced, and the deferment is not a cancellation. This affects merchants and UPI payment flows, but the eventual timing and any broader effects are still unknown.