Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk3 min

NPCI Defers MDR on Select UPI Transactions Until After Diwali; Exact Date Pending

NPCI deferred the planned October 15 start of MDR on select UPI merchant payments until after Diwali, with the exact date pending. The announced framework remains unchanged.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

NPCI has postponed the planned October 15, 2026 start of merchant discount rate (MDR) on select UPI payments made to merchants. The charges are now due to be implemented immediately after Diwali, on a date to be notified separately, according to Business Standard, which quoted NPCI. The reported decision delays implementation; it does not cancel the announced fee framework.

CAIT’s October 5 account describes its delegation’s meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over merchant concerns, but does not itself say that CAIT welcomed the later deferment. The implementation decision was attributed to NPCI, not CAIT.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When will UPI MDR charges start?

The planned October 15, 2026 start has been deferred until immediately after Diwali. NPCI’s exact revised date had not been announced in the October 13 report by Business Standard. The outlet quoted NPCI as saying that the UPI and Services Steering Committee decided, “keeping in mind the festive season,” to implement MDR on select person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions “immediately post Diwali at a date to be notified separately.”

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

This is a timing change, not a reported cancellation: Business Standard said the announced fee structure was unchanged. The report provides the deferment account; the government’s published explanations set out the framework.

#1 Best Overall
NFC Cash App Payment Stand Sign with QR Code (1, 5.1x3.5 Inches)
  • TWO WAYS TO ACCESS PAYMENT: Customers can tap the NFC-enabled area with a compatible smartphone or scan the QR code to quickly open your Paypal payment page.
  • EASY ONLINE ACTIVATION: Tap or scan the stand, register or sign in, and enter your Paypal payment link. The NFC tap and QR code then direct customers to the same destination. No QRLynk app or recurring subscription is required.
  • CLEAR, COMPACT DISPLAY: The 5.1 x 3.5-inch main display area includes easy-to-follow tap-and-scan instructions while using minimal countertop space.
  • VERSATILE COUNTERTOP PLACEMENT: Ideal for checkout counters, front desks, market booths, salon stations, reception areas, service counters, and point-of-sale locations.
  • CLEAN INTEGRATED STAND DESIGN: Features rounded corners, a slim upright panel, and a stable bent base for a professional countertop presentation.

Which UPI payments are subject to MDR?

MDR is a merchant discount rate within the merchant payment ecosystem. The announced framework applies to specified P2M transactions, not to every UPI transfer. The Ministry of Finance’s September 15, 2026 explanation says person-to-person (P2P) transfers remain free regardless of amount, P2M payments up to ₹2,000 remain free, and eligible transactions by small merchants covered by the zero-MDR framework remain free.

For specified P2M payments above ₹2,000, the ministry lists these rates:

Rank #2
NFC & QR Payment Sticker, Tap or Scan to Pay Sign for Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Zelle, Card, ACH, Wire Transfer & Crypto - By KeeperTag
  • ONE TAP, MULTIPLE WAYS TO GET PAID – Give customers one simple place to access your payment options. Add Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, card checkout links, ACH, wire transfer, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and custom payment methods.
  • NFC TAP + QR CODE – Customers can tap the sticker with a compatible NFC smartphone or scan the QR code to open your KeeperTag Pay page. No KeeperTag app is required for the person paying.
  • UPDATE ANYTIME — NO NEW STICKER NEEDED – Change usernames, payment links, banking instructions or crypto wallet addresses from your KeeperTag account while keeping the same physical NFC & QR sticker.
  • BUILT FOR SMALL BUSINESS & EVERYDAY PAYMENTS – Ideal for counters, salons, food trucks, pop-up shops, markets, service professionals, creators, drivers, events, tips and other places where customers need an easy way to access payment information.
  • NO BATTERY & EASY TO ACTIVATE – Passive NFC technology requires no charging or batteries. Activate your KeeperTag, add your preferred payment methods and place the 4 x 4 inch sticker where customers can easily tap or scan. KeeperTag provides payment links and information; payments are completed through the selected third-party service.
Transaction category Announced MDR
Specified P2M transactions above ₹2,000 0.4%; capped at ₹300 for transactions of ₹75,000 and above
Specified transactions above ₹2,000 in listed essential and thin-margin sectors, including railways, telecommunications, insurance, fuel and agricultural inputs Flat ₹5 per transaction
Specified capital-market transactions 0.02%; capped at ₹300

These are the categories and rates described by the Ministry of Finance’s September 15 release. The precise rules for a particular merchant or transaction should be checked against the current official FAQ or any later notice; the sector labels alone do not establish individual eligibility. The ministry estimates that approximately 96% of P2M transactions will be unaffected. That is the ministry’s estimate, not an independently measured result.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Will UPI charges apply to customers?

Under the announced government framework, MDR is a charge within the merchant payment ecosystem, not a customer transaction charge. The Ministry of Finance says banks have been advised to ensure merchants do not pass the fee on to customers. That describes the government’s stated policy; it does not establish how every merchant will behave in practice.

Rank #3
Custom Scan to Pay Sign with Stand, QR Code Payment Sign, Tabletop | Helps customers scan and pay faster with a custom tabletop sign for Venmo, Cash App, PayPal or other QR payment options
  • Create a cleaner checkout experience with a custom scan-to-pay sign that keeps your payment QR codes in one visible tabletop display for faster customer action.
  • Personalize the title, app labels and bottom text to match your business, event or booth setup while keeping the payment options easy to identify at a glance.
  • Designed for counters, salon desks, pop-up markets, bakeries, cafes and small business front desks where customers need a simple scan-and-pay prompt.
  • Choose from multiple size options to fit compact counters or larger display areas, and pair the sign with stand for stable tabletop presentation.
  • High-definition printing, this custom QR code plaque is designed for sharp details and reliable scanning. The smooth, scratch-resistant surface keeps your sign looking clean and professional.

The ministry’s August 8 explanation said consumers making payments would not face transaction charges and that P2P transactions would continue to be free. Its later explanation specifies the P2M exemptions and rates. These are official statements of the framework, not a guarantee that future policy cannot change.

What did CAIT say about the UPI MDR deferment?

In a release dated October 5, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said a delegation led by its Secretary General and MP Praveen Khandelwal met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss merchant concerns about a proposed 0.40% MDR on UPI transactions above ₹2,000. CAIT also said the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) and the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) withdrew a planned “No UPI Day” protest after what CAIT described as constructive discussions and an assurance that trade concerns would receive consideration.

That account documents trade-body engagement before the deferment, but it does not state that CAIT welcomed NPCI’s October 13 decision. The decision to defer implementation was attributed to NPCI by Business Standard; CAIT’s documented role was to raise merchant concerns.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How the framework developed

On August 8, the Ministry of Finance described legislation enabling a threshold-based framework and said NPCI’s UPI and Services Steering Committee would decide whether MDR would apply. On September 15, the ministry published the rates and coverage summarized above. The October 13 report then said the planned October 15 implementation was postponed until immediately after Diwali, with a specific date still to be notified.

Best Value
Pahdecor Personalized 3D Double QR code Sign, Scan to Pay Sign, Venmo Instagram PayPal CashApp Direct Payment, Small Pop Up Shop Review Plaque Beauty Hairdressers Signs (Clear)
  • Totally Customized: Just Click “Customize Now” Fill in the the social App ID and Upload the QR code, we will do the rest for you.
  • Feature: cut from a whole acrylic board, smooth edge with rounded edge to prevent from injury.Suitable base to ensure stability.mirror acrylic base, 3D QR code border,100% handmade.
  • Design: 8 x 8inch acrylic sheet, you can custom the background color and also the base color,it’s fashion and eye-catching.
  • All Occasions Available: this business scan sign can be used for personal studio, restaurant, hotel, Hair Salon and anywhere you like, which can save payment time, and also avoiding touching money in case of epidemic.
  • Material: High quality clear acrylic and mirror acrylic

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.