When UPI (Unified Payments Interface) was first introduced for digital transactions, a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) fee was applicable. This fee was subsequently waived (set to zero) to encourage the adoption of digital transactions. What are the new rules for UPI transaction charges? As UPI usage continues to grow daily, banks and payment service providers incur significant costs in handling transactions and maintaining the necessary technical infrastructure, including servers. Consequently, the Central Government has decided to reintroduce the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI transactions. Under this new policy, a charge of 0.4% will be levied on commercial transactions exceeding ₹2,000, effective from October 15. Additionally, the maximum charge for transactions of ₹75,000 and above has been capped at ₹300. This charge applies specifically to money transfers from individuals to merchants. However, for certain categories of transactions—such as railway tickets, fuel,...