New rules will be implemented for UPI users from August 1, 2025, including limits on balance checks and AutoPay transactions.
UPI: UPI (Unified Payment Interface), which has become the most popular digital payment method in India, is set for a major change from August 1, 2025. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced new limits and technical improvements to maintain the system's speed, reliability, and balance. These changes will affect millions of users of GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, and other UPI apps.
Limits Imposed on Balance Checking
The biggest change from August 1 is that users will now be able to check their account balance a maximum of 50 times a day. This limit is specifically set for users who frequently check their balance or refresh it repeatedly through third-party apps, which puts unnecessary pressure on the system. Additionally, if a user has linked multiple bank accounts to their mobile number, they will only be able to check the status of those accounts 25 times. NPCI says that these limits will reduce the load on the system and keep the UPI service fast and stable.
Fixed Time Slot for AutoPay
NPCI has also introduced a new technical update regarding the UPI AutoPay feature. Now, subscription payments (such as Netflix, Amazon Prime), EMIs, and utility bills like electricity and water will be processed in a fixed time slot. This change is necessary because AutoPay transactions could occur at any time of the day, which increased congestion on the system during peak hours. Now, these transactions will occur in pre-defined time windows, ensuring faster and more reliable service.
Every User Will Be Affected, But No Need to Worry
NPCI has clarified that these changes will apply to every UPI user, whether they make one transaction or fifty in a day. However, users with normal transaction habits are unlikely to experience any change. These rules are specifically designed for "heavy users" who check their balance or refresh the status dozens of times a day. These habits can slow down the system and affect other users.
No Change in Transaction Amount Limit
- There is no change in the limit for sending or receiving money via UPI.
- A maximum amount of ₹1,00,000 can still be sent in one transaction.
- In special sectors like healthcare and education, this limit is ₹5,00,000.
- Therefore, users making payments do not need to worry about the payment amount.
Will the User Need to Change Some Settings?
No. Users will not need any app settings or updates to implement these rules. GPay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any other UPI app will automatically implement these rules at their server level. The user only needs to keep in mind how often they are checking their balance or status in a day so that they do not face any issues when the limit is exceeded.
What Will Be the Impact on Merchants and Businesses?
Businesses that make auto collections via UPI AutoPay will now have to re-adjust their collection times according to the slots set by NPCI. However, there will be no major changes in mobile recharges, OTT subscriptions, e-commerce payments, etc., as this system will be updated in the background.
