From August 1, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps like Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay and others have started implementing new rules that restrict the number of backend requests users or apps can make in a day. These changes, introduced by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), are designed to ease system congestion and improve the overall reliability of UPI services.

Key Highlights

• From August 1, UPI apps restrict balance checks to 50 and linked‑account views to 25 daily.
• AutoPay mandates now run only during non‑peak hours—outside 10 AM‑1 PM and 5‑9:30 PM—improving system reliability.​ 

Why UPI limits were introduced?

NPCI observed that too many non-financial requests, such as repeated balance checks or account fetches were putting unnecessary strain on the UPI system. These actions do not move money, but still require the network’s attention, especially during high-traffic periods. The new framework introduces daily limits to keep systems running efficiently.

New UPI changes starting August 1

• Bank balance checks are limited to 50 per app per day. Banks are now required to display your updated balance automatically after each successful transaction, reducing the need for frequent checks.
• Platforms can now retrieve merchant verification data or security keys only once per day, during off-peak hours.
• Payment status checks should be staggered according to NPCI guidelines to prevent backend traffic spikes.

Also Read: Bengaluru Street Vendors Seek GST Relief After UPI Payments Cross Rs 40 Lakh

UPI apps should monitor their traffic

Apps and banks are now held accountable for all automated background activity, whether initiated by the user or not. NPCI has directed platforms to stop blindly forwarding partner requests, particularly during peak hours.

What happens if the new UPI rules are not followed?

All UPI apps had to implement the changes by July 31, 2025. A compliance audit must be submitted to the NPCI by August 31, 2025. Failure to comply may result in penalties, restricted API access, or a ban on onboarding new users.

These steps are expected to improve the UPI experience, especially during peak transaction times.