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The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
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How UPI Merchant Discount Rate Charges Work in India (From 15 October 2026)

India’s announced UPI MDR rules start 15 October 2026. P2P transfers and P2M payments up to ₹2,000 remain free, while eligible higher-value merchant payments may carry category-based fees.
From TheFinanceBase Team4 min to read
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India’s announced UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework takes effect on 15 October 2026. It does not impose a general fee on UPI users: person-to-person transfers remain free, and person-to-merchant payments of ₹2,000 or less carry no MDR. For eligible merchant payments above ₹2,000, the announced merchant-side rate depends on the merchant’s classification and sector. The Government says merchants must not pass MDR on to customers.

As of 7 October 2026, the framework had been announced but was not yet in force. A charge appearing before the effective date should not automatically be attributed to it.

What is UPI MDR?

Merchant Discount Rate is a payment-processing fee associated with specified person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions. The Ministry of Finance says MDR is distributed among payment-system participants, including banks and payment application providers. It is not a tax, and the Government and NPCI do not collect it. The Ministry clarified: “MDR is neither a tax nor a charge collected by the Government or NPCI.” (Ministry of Finance announcement, 15 September 2026.)

The announced framework concerns merchant-side deductions. It is not a blanket UPI fee for people sending money to friends or paying merchants.

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What MDR applies to each type of UPI payment?

The announced treatment varies by payment type, amount, merchant classification and sector. The table reflects the framework scheduled to begin on 15 October 2026.

Payment or merchant category Announced MDR What it means
Person-to-person (P2P) Free, regardless of amount Transfers between people are outside the announced MDR framework.
P2M payment of ₹2,000 or less Zero MDR The merchant does not incur the new MDR on the transaction.
Qualifying small merchant in the P2PM category, receiving up to ₹1 lakh per month through UPI QR Zero MDR on all transactions, including payments above ₹2,000 The exemption depends on P2PM classification and QR receipts; a business’s apparent size alone does not establish eligibility.
Other eligible P2M payment above ₹2,000 0.4%, capped at ₹300 for transactions of ₹75,000 or more The standard announced rate applies to the merchant, subject to the cap.
Listed essential and thin-margin sectors, above ₹2,000 ₹5 flat per transaction The Government names railways, telecommunications, insurance, fuel and agricultural inputs as examples. Applicable merchant category codes (MCCs) should be confirmed with the acquirer.
Capital-market payments 0.02%, capped at ₹300 The Government identifies mutual funds, securities, stockbrokers and dealers.

The rates and exemptions are from the Ministry of Finance announcement and the Department of Financial Services FAQ. Google Pay for Business also describes implementation by transaction and registered business category in its merchant guidance.

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How is the standard MDR calculated?

For an eligible standard-category P2M payment above ₹2,000, the announced rate is 0.4% of the transaction amount until the cap applies. The Ministry FAQ’s examples show the calculation: ₹3,000 × 0.4% = ₹12; ₹50,000 × 0.4% = ₹200; and the MDR is capped at ₹300 for transactions of ₹75,000 and above.

Provider example, including GST

Google Pay for Business illustrates a ₹3,000 payment with ₹12 MDR, 18% GST on that MDR (₹2.16), and a total deduction of ₹14.16, leaving ₹2,985.84 for settlement. For a ₹100,000 payment, its example applies the ₹300 MDR cap, adds ₹54 GST on MDR, and shows a total deduction of ₹354. These are Google’s examples, not a guarantee that every provider statement will display deductions or settlement timing identically. Check the provider’s invoice and statement for the applicable accounting treatment.

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Does the customer pay the MDR?

No. The Government says MDR must not be passed on to buyers, and says banks have been advised to ensure that customers are not charged it. The Ministry also says UPI app providers may not impose platform or hidden charges for these payments. Google Pay for Business gives the same instruction to merchants. A merchant statement deduction should therefore not become a separate UPI surcharge on the customer’s bill.

Why can two QR payments have different merchant charges?

A QR code does not determine the MDR by itself. The result can differ based on the transaction date, whether the payment is P2P or P2M, the amount, the merchant’s P2PM status and monthly QR receipts, and the registered business category or MCC. Google Pay for Business says its fee is calculated on an individual payment above ₹2,000 based on MCC, rather than on monthly or annual turnover. That is provider guidance; a merchant should confirm its implementation and classification with its acquirer.

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  • Check the date: the announced framework begins on 15 October 2026. A fee shown before that date needs a separate explanation.
  • Check the payment type and amount: the announced MDR does not cover P2P transfers, and P2M payments up to ₹2,000 remain zero-MDR.
  • Check merchant classification: qualifying P2PM small merchants with up to ₹1 lakh in monthly UPI QR receipts retain zero MDR on all transactions under the announced terms.
  • Check the line item and instrument: Google distinguishes direct bank-account UPI from RuPay credit card on UPI, credit lines, AutoPay and separate SoundPod subscriptions. Those products or services may have distinct treatment and should not be assumed to follow this direct-bank-account MDR schedule.
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What was the policy before 15 October 2026?

The 2026 schedule should not be confused with the earlier zero-MDR policy. A 2025 government explanation described the earlier position for RuPay debit and BHIM-UPI following legal changes made in January 2020, and a government incentive scheme for low-value BHIM-UPI P2M transactions in FY 2024–25. That incentive had an estimated outlay of ₹1,500 crore for that fiscal year; it was historical policy, not funding for the October 2026 MDR framework. See the 2025 PIB explanation and the government incentive-scheme release.

What is still not specified?

The Department of Financial Services FAQ said the detailed operational framework for the dedicated fund would be finalized in consultation with the RBI within three months of 15 September 2026. The final fund design, including eligibility and disbursement mechanics, should not be inferred from the MDR rate schedule alone. The Government estimates that approximately 96% of merchant transactions will remain unaffected; this is its estimate based on government data analysis, not an independently verified projection.

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Merchants reviewing an MDR deduction should compare the transaction date, payment instrument, amount, MCC and P2PM classification against the provider’s statement and terms. A QR standee or sticker does not change the rate or exemption; Google Pay for Business says existing materials do not need replacement for this change.

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.

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