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BIZ1 sourceIN ×117 SEPT 2026 06:00 IST

Zero-MDR gave banks no return on UPI merchant onboarding costs

Headline by Prism · from 1 report

The Indian government is implementing a new merchant discount rate framework for UPI transactions to support ecosystem sustainability while exempting small transactions.

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M. Nagaraju

2 quotes
  • I would not describe it as a crisis, but the risks were real, and they were formally placed before the government.
    [1]Mint· 17 Sept· opens on the quote
    In the article

    and eligible small merchants remain outside the charge framework. He said the issue was not an immediate crisis but a growing sustainability concern that had been formally brought to the government's attention. “ I would not describe it as a crisis, but the risks were real, and they were formally placed before the government. " Edited excerpt: What was the tipping point? In 2025, the government had not taken any decision to introduce MDR on UPI. The statement issued at that time responded to media reports claiming that such a decision had

  • The MDR on higher-value merchant payments provides a predictable source of funding for infrastructure and security.
    [1]Mint· 17 Sept· opens on the quote
    In the article

    also carries costs for banks, since each merchant requires verification, QR deployment and support, and zero MDR provided no return on that effort for larger merchants. The framework addresses these concerns directly. The MDR on higher-value merchant payments provides a predictable source of funding for infrastructure and security. Why 0.4% and why a ₹2,000 threshold? What data, economics or policy calculations drove the government to these specific numbers? The ₹2,000 threshold follows the line already used in the government’s incentive scheme

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Sources1

All filed from IndiaNamed India · Unified Payments Interface · Department of Financial Services · Indian Banks' Association · M. Nagaraju · National Payments Corporation of India · Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance · Payments Council of India · Reserve Bank of India

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Zero-MDR gave banks no return on UPI merchant onboarding costs | Prism