NPCI postponed the introduction of a merchant discount rate on selected UPI payments until after Diwali, according to reports published on 13 October. The rollout had been scheduled to begin on 15 October.
The proposed arrangement concerned a 0.4% charge on qualifying merchant transactions above ₹2,000. Reporting said a revised implementation date would be announced later, rather than setting a replacement date in the postponement itself.
A merchant discount rate concerns payment acceptance by businesses. This announcement should not be described as a blanket fee on every consumer transfer or every person-to-person UPI payment, and the deferred start is distinct from permanent cancellation of the proposal.