UPI vs Debit vs Credit Cards: Will UPI payments with MDR charges still be the cheapest?
For consumers, the fundamental position does not change: UPI continues to remain free. The new MDR is a merchant-side cost and cannot be passed on to the customer as a UPI transaction charge. For merchants, UPI is also likely to remain among the lowest-cost digital payment options.
The mandatory wage ceiling for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has been raised by the Union Government from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month as of September 17, 2026.
