New UPI rules from August 1:
Daily balance checks, autopay & API usage now regulated, here’s how Paytm, PhonePe, GPay users will be impacted
Jul 28, 2025
Synopsis
NPCI has issued additional set of guidelines to be adhered by UPI ecosystem members that includes limiting balance enquiry requests to regulating the use of APIs like Autopay Mandate Execution, and Validate Address.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced several changes in Unified Payment Interface (UPI) ecosystem with an aim to improve the performance of UPI transactions. NPCI has issued additional set of guidelines to be adhered by UPI ecosystem members that includes limiting balance enquiry requests to regulating the use of APIs like Autopay Mandate Execution, and Validate Address.
Tarun Nazare, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Neokred, says, "I welcome the new guidelines outlined by NPCI, these measures are prudent and forward-thinking, as they prioritise system efficiency and user security. By capping balance requests and optimising API usage—especially with clear restrictions during peak hours—the guidelines will effectively reduce server overloads and potential service outages. The emphasis on customer consent and timely compliance ensures transparency and accountability among payment service providers."
ET Wealth Online tells you the details of the prominent changes which UPI users will experience from August 1.
Cap on daily balance requests via UPI
As per the new NPCI guidelines, each customer can make up to 50 balance enquiries per app per day within a rolling 24-hour period. These requests must be initiated only by the customer and not by the app or system automatically. To reduce system load during peak hours, UPI apps should have the ability to limit or stop balance enquiry requests when needed. Additionally, issuer banks are required to include the available account balance in the confirmation message after every successful UPI transaction.
Access limit on bank accounts linked to UPI
The List Account API helps users view the list of bank accounts linked to their mobile number through a specific bank in the UPI app. As per NPCI guidelines, the usage is limited to 25 requests per customer per app per day (on a rolling 24-hour basis). These requests should be made only after the customer selects their bank in the UPI app. If the account list fails to load, any retry must be done only with the customer’s consent to avoid unnecessary system load.
Fixed time windows for auto-debits, mandate execution limit
NPCI has set a limit of one initial attempt and up to three retries per mandate (identified by each sequence number). This means a total of four attempts are allowed to execute a single mandate. To further reduce congestion, all Autopay executions should be scheduled during non-peak hours only.
Peak hours are defined as the period during the day when UPI financial transactions reach the highest transactions per second, observed from 10:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs and from 17:00 hrs to 21:30 hrs.
The NPCI has directed Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to implement the relevant changes in their system by July 31, 2025. Failure to comply may lead to actions such as restrictions on UPI API access, penalties, suspension of new customer onboarding, or other appropriate measures.
According to the NPCI press release on May 21, 2025, “Members are requested to take note of this compliance requirement and communicate it to relevant stakeholders and their respective partners for implementation by 31' July 2025. In the event of non-compliance to the above guidelines, NPCI may take necessary action including UPI API restrictions, penalties, suspension of new customer on-boarding or any other measures deemed appropriate.”
[The Economic Times]
