New UPI Rules from August 1: Limits on Balance Checks, Auto Payments, and Enhanced Security

New Delhi, August 1, 2025 — The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will roll out a fresh set of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) rules starting Friday, August 1, in a move aimed at improving system performance, enhancing user experience, and curbing fraudulent transactions. These updates will be applicable across all leading UPI platforms, including Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.

Under the revised framework, UPI users will be allowed to check their bank balance only up to 50 times a day. In addition, available balance details will now appear with each transaction, eliminating the need for frequent balance inquiries. During high traffic hours, balance check requests may be slowed down or paused entirely to reduce system overload.

Another key update involves the processing of auto-debit payments. To manage network load more effectively, automatic transactions will now only be processed during off-peak hours—specifically before 10:00 AM, between 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and after 9:30 PM. If an autopay request is scheduled during a peak window, it may be delayed or rescheduled. Failed auto payments will get retry opportunities before being canceled entirely.

In a bid to tighten security, users can now access bank account information only 25 times a day, and only after selecting the issuer’s bank within the UPI app. Furthermore, the registered name of the recipient will be clearly displayed alongside the transaction ID before the user confirms any payment. This step aims to minimize the chances of money being sent to the wrong person or fraudulent accounts.

For payment status verification, the number of allowed checks is limited to three per transaction, with a 90-second gap between attempts. Unconfirmed or pending transactions will now update more swiftly, reducing confusion and improving the overall user experience.

NPCI has also issued a strong warning to all UPI service providers. Non-compliance with the new protocols may result in strict penalties, such as API restrictions, fines, and even suspension of onboarding new users.

These reforms are designed to not only speed up UPI operations but also to introduce new safeguards and ensure better transparency and control for users. With the increasing volume of digital payments in India, NPCI’s move signals a robust effort to balance convenience with accountability.