If you use PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm for digital payments, this news is extremely important for you. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced new guidelines to enhance the performance and security of the UPI system. These new rules will come into effect from August 1, 2025, and they are expected to impact millions of UPI users and payment service providers directly.
Limit on Balance Check Requests
As per the new rules, users will now be allowed to check their account balance a maximum of 50 times per day on each UPI app. This limit will be calculated on a 24-hour rolling basis per app. Most importantly, this request must be initiated manually by the user only. The app or system cannot perform automatic balance checks in the background.
In addition, after every successful UPI transaction, banks are now mandated to include the available balance in the SMS confirmation sent to the user.
Stricter Rules for AutoPay and Mandates
The popular UPI AutoPay feature is also undergoing significant changes. If an auto-debit mandate fails, it will be allowed one initial try and up to three retry attempts. If the payment fails after four total attempts, the transaction will be considered unsuccessful.
Moreover, AutoPay transactions will now only be processed during non-peak hours. That means auto-debits will not take place between 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM, in order to reduce server load during high-traffic periods.
Strict Action for Rule Violations
NPCI has directed all Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to fully implement these new guidelines by July 31, 2025. If any provider fails to comply, strict actions such as suspension of API access, ban on onboarding new users, or even financial penalties may be enforced.
What Should Users Do?
Keep your UPI apps updated
Be mindful of the daily balance check limit
Understand the new AutoPay timings and retry policy
Contact your bank or app support in case of any issues
Conclusion:
These new guidelines aim to enhance the security, efficiency, and user-friendliness of the UPI ecosystem. As a user, staying informed and adapting to these changes will help you avoid disruptions and continue enjoying seamless digital payments.
