5 रुपये से 300 रुपये तक चार्ज... जानें- UPI लेनदेन पर किसे MDR देना है, किसे नहीं

According to a report by Aaj Tak, the Indian government is clarifying the framework surrounding the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. The new guidelines emphasize that person-to-person (P2P) UPI transactions will remain entirely free for all users, ensuring that common daily transfers continue without any additional costs.

The proposed framework aims to balance the sustainability of digital payment infrastructure with the needs of small-scale merchants. Under the reported guidelines, MDR charges would only be applicable to specific merchant transactions exceeding 2,000 rupees. Officials indicate that this structure is designed to protect the vast majority of the ecosystem, with approximately 96 percent of merchant payments and small shopkeepers remaining outside the scope of these charges.

This policy shift is part of a broader effort to maintain the momentum of India's digital economy while addressing the operational costs faced by payment service providers. By exempting small transactions, the government intends to prevent any disruption to the widespread adoption of UPI among micro-enterprises and individual consumers. Further details regarding the implementation timeline and specific merchant categories are expected to be released by regulatory authorities in the coming weeks.