7 New UPI Rules From 1 August 2025: Paytm, PhonePe, GPay, BHIM Users Must Know About Latest Changes

As of 1 August 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is rolling out a transformative set of UPI regulations. These changes are designed to boost network efficiency, enhance security, and ensure the world’s largest digital payment platform remains robust as usage reaches unprecedented highs. Whether you use Paytm, PhonePe, GPay, or BHIM, it’s vital to understand these updates for a hassle-free payment experience.

1. Strict Cap on Daily Balance Checks

Previously unlimited, daily balance checks are now capped at 50 per UPI app per day. Hit this threshold and you’ll find the feature temporarily disabled until the next day. The aim: reduce unnecessary server requests that can slow down peak-hour payments and lead to transaction failures.

2. Limit on Viewing Linked Bank Accounts

Viewing your list of linked bank accounts via the “List Account” API is now restricted to 25 times per day, per app. This change targets excessive background requests that previously strained the banking system, helping ensure greater network stability especially during busy periods.

3. Regulated AutoPay (Recurring Payments) Timings

Recurring payments, such as EMI deductions, OTT subscriptions, or utility bills, will only be processed in scheduled non-peak windows:

• Before 10:00 AM

• Between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM

• After 9:30 PM

If you set up an AutoPay for a time outside these slots, it’ll be queued for the next available window. This helps avoid system congestion so regular payments go through without delay.

4. Restriction on Transaction Status Checks

For any pending or failed UPI transaction, status checks can only be attempted three times per day per user, with a mandatory 90-second gap between checks. This curtails repeated queries that could congest the system, helping to clear refund or retry processes faster.

5. Enhanced Account Verification & Security

When you add a new bank account or change your default payment account, stronger authentication and account validation measures are in place. Further, apps must display the recipient’s registered name before processing any payment, reducing the risk of mistaken transfers—a rule now strictly enforced.

6. Inactive UPI ID Deactivation

If a mobile number-linked UPI ID remains inactive for more than 12 months, it will be automatically disabled.

• UPI rules 2025

This is a security step to prevent the misuse of UPI IDs, especially when phone numbers are reassigned.

7. UPI Transactions via Pre-Approved Credit Lines

From 31 August 2025, UPI will support payments and cash withdrawals from pre-approved credit lines (such as OD/credit lines issued by banks, NBFCs, or backed by deposits or securities). Key limits:

• ₹1 lakh/day for payments

• ₹10,000/day for cash withdrawals

• Up to 20 peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers/day

Why These UPI Changes Matter

India’s UPI ecosystem is the busiest real-time payment network worldwide—handling over 18 billion transactions per month! The surge in usage, especially on apps like Paytm, PhonePe, GPay, and BHIM, led to network slowdowns, failed mandates, and server overloads. The new rules address these problems by:

• Reducing non-essential load (like excessive balance checks)

• Improving transaction reliability

• Strengthening user security

• Ensuring genuine and error-free payments

What’s Unchanged

• Daily UPI transaction limits and maximum transfer caps remain the same.

• Regular UPI payments, P2P transfers, and merchant transactions aren’t impacted—only back-end usage patterns and limits have changed.

Tips for Users

• Avoid unnecessary balance checks or frequent retries on failed transactions to prevent being blocked.

• Schedule recurring payments within the new designated windows.

• Always confirm recipient details on every transaction.

• Update your UPI app regularly to get the latest features and rule compliance.

Conclusion

These UPI rule changes, though they may require a period of adjustment, are ultimately designed for a safer, faster, and more reliable digital payments experience for all users, including those on Paytm, PhonePe, GPay, and BHIM. Staying informed and adapting your habits ensures you won’t be caught off guard, and will keep your transactions smooth in the evolving digital payments landscape.