.India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become the backbone of digital transactions in the country, facilitating over 6 billion transactions every month. To keep up with this unprecedented growth, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is introducing a series of important updates that will take effect from August 1, 2025.
These new measures, detailed in NPCI’s circular dated May 21, 2025, aim to enhance performance, reduce server load, and deliver a smoother experience for users on platforms like Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay. Here’s a breakdown of the five key changes, why they are being introduced, and how you can prepare.
Why the change?
UPI’s rapid adoption has brought tremendous convenience but also increased pressure on backend systems. During peak hours, users often experience slow transactions or even failures. These new guidelines are designed to address those issues, improve reliability, and ensure that India’s favourite payment system remains efficient and secure for all.
The 5 key changes you should know
Daily limit on balance enquiries: capped at 50 per app
What’s new: Users will now be able to check their bank balance a maximum of 50 times per day per UPI app. If you use more than one app, such as PhonePe and GPay, the limit applies separately to each.
Why it matters: Every balance check sends a server request. Excessive checks can slow down the entire ecosystem. This cap is meant to cut down unnecessary traffic and speed up essential services.
What you can do: Use balance checks wisely. For example, check only after large payments or once in the morning. If you need more checks, consider using multiple apps and distributing the load.
Linked account view limit: 25 per day per app
What’s new: You can now view your linked bank accounts only 25 times a day per UPI app. This includes actions like switching accounts or checking account details.
Why it matters: Just like balance checks, viewing linked accounts hits the server. Bots and poorly designed apps often abuse this feature, creating unnecessary strain. This change helps prevent that.
What you can do: Try to do all your account switching or setup at once. If you reach the limit, wait for the next day or use a different app as a backup.
Autopay transactions scheduled during off-peak hours
What’s new: Recurring payments like subscriptions or SIPs will now be processed only during designated off-peak hours. These time slots are before 10:00 am, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, and after 9:30 pm.
Why it matters: Running autopay transactions during off-peak periods reduces the chances of delays or failures. This update helps maintain a stable system during high-traffic hours.
What you can do: There’s usually no need for manual adjustments, but you may want to check that your bank or service provider has aligned recurring payments with the new timing.
Pending payment status: 3 attempts only with 90-second gaps
What’s new: If you have a pending transaction, you can check its status only three times per transaction, and you must wait at least 90 seconds between each attempt.
Why it matters: Frequent status checks clog the system and slow down resolutions. This rule helps streamline backend processes and reduces congestion.
What you can do: If a payment is stuck, wait patiently between status checks. If it remains unresolved after three tries, contact customer support via your app or bank.
Stricter compliance for banks and UPI apps
What’s new: Banks and third-party UPI apps will now have to adhere to tighter regulations, including:
Limits on API calls during peak hours
Mandatory annual audits by NPCI
Penalties, restrictions or possible deactivation for non-compliance
Why it matters: This ensures that all players in the UPI ecosystem are accountable and perform at a high standard, ultimately benefiting the end-user.
What you can do: Stick to trusted platforms like PhonePe, Paytm, or GPay, which are more likely to comply with these new requirements and deliver consistent service.
What remains the same and what to watch out for
While the backend is getting an upgrade, your core UPI experience won’t change much. You can still send or receive up to ₹1 lakh per transaction (higher in specific cases like medical or education payments). QR code payments, money transfers, and merchant transactions will work just as before. Most apps will also retain their usual look and feel, so you won’t need to relearn anything.
What to be mindful of
These upgrades aim to improve efficiency, but a few things are worth noting.
Exceeding limits Overusing balance checks or account views could lead to temporary restrictions.
Autopay timing Some recurring payments might fail if not scheduled within the newly mandated time slots: before 10:00 am, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, or after 9:30 pm.
App disruptions Smaller or lesser-known apps that don’t update to meet the new standards may face service interruptions.
How you can stay ahead
Here are five quick ways to prepare for the new UPI rules:
Check balance smartly: Avoid excessive balance enquiries. Spread checks across apps if needed
Adjust autopay timings: Ensure subscriptions and bill payments align with the new processing windows
Be patient with pending payments: Wait 90 seconds before rechecking, and stop after three tries
Choose trusted apps: Use NPCI-compliant platforms for greater reliability
Stay informed: Follow updates from NPCI and your payment apps regularly.
