Business Desk
Last Updated: 14 February 2026, 10:54 PM IST
These updates aim to reduce server strain, enhance security, and improve overall transaction efficiency.
Representative Image | Photo: Canva
New Delhi: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has implemented sweeping changes to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) framework, with the new rules coming into effect on February 14, 2026. The updates affect millions of users across popular platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm, and are designed to enhance security, reduce server strain, and improve transaction speed.
The changes represent the latest step in NPCI’s ongoing efforts to make India’s digital payments ecosystem faster, safer, and more efficient as UPI transaction volumes continue to grow.
What’s Changing
Under the revised norms, users can now check their bank account balance a maximum of 50 times per day per app. Those with multiple UPI apps can still access up to 100 balance checks total across all apps combined. Additionally, requests to view linked bank account details through the List Account API have been capped at 25 times per app per day.
UPI autopay transactions, including subscriptions, EMIs, and bill payments, will now be processed only during non-peak hours. Each autopay request will be limited to a maximum of four processing attempts, comprising one original attempt plus three retries.
In a move aimed at enhancing security, UPI IDs that have remained inactive for 12 months will be automatically deactivated. According to NPCI, this step addresses the risk posed by mobile numbers being reassigned to new users, which could result in unintended fund transfers.
The response time for critical UPI transaction APIs has been reduced from 30 seconds to 10 seconds, a change expected to make real-time payments quicker and more reliable. Stricter verification and authentication processes have also been introduced for linking new bank accounts to UPI.
Why It Matters
NPCI has outlined multiple objectives behind the changes: controlling rising server load, making UPI payments more secure, reducing transaction failures and slowdowns, and improving the user experience for both customers and banks.
The rules also pave the way for credit line payments via UPI. From August 2026, users will be able to make payments or withdraw funds using a pre-approved credit line provided by a bank or non-banking financial company, with preparatory rules already in effect.
According to reports, non-compliance with the new rules could result in strict action, including API bans or penalties on apps or banks. UPI users, especially shopkeepers, freelancers, and those who make regular digital payments, are advised to familiarise themselves with the updated guidelines.
Published: 14 Feb 2026, 10:54 pm IST
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