{
  "id": 10188667,
  "title": "‘UPI must remain zero MDR’: Mobile retailers announce October 2 protest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/upi-must-remain-zero-mdr-mobile-retailers-announce-october-2-protest",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-27T09:44:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/upi-must-remain-zero-mdr-mobile-retailers-announce-october-2-protest/articleshow/134517944.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) has announced a nationwide protest on October 2, urging the retention of a zero Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. AIMRA representative Tarvinder Singh stated that the move aims to highlight the additional financial burden the proposed 0.4% MDR could impose on mobile retailers. The protest, dubbed \"No UPI Day,\" involves covering UPI QR codes with black cloth and refraining from accepting UPI payments. AIMRA claims the charge could result in monthly net losses of Rs 2,000 to Rs 12,000 for small retailers processing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 30 lakh through UPI each month. The protest, not against UPI or digital payments, emphasizes the need to maintain a zero MDR to support Digital India.",
  "summary": "Mobile phone retailers across India are set to observe a 'No UPI Day' on October 2. This protest arises against the proposed 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions over Rs 2,000. The All India Mobile Retailers Association highlights additional costs that may impact small retailers significantly. The government insists consumers will not bear the MDR, which will apply starting…",
  "key_points": [
    "AIMRA calls for zero MDR on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000",
    "Protest, No UPI Day, involves covering QR codes and refusing UPI payments",
    "Small retailers could face Rs 2,000 to Rs 12,000 monthly losses"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Mobile phone retailers to protest against UPI MDR charges on October 2",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/mobile-phone-retailers-to-protest-against-upi-mdr-charges-on-october-2",
        "published": "2026-09-27T09:25:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Mobile phone retailers to protest against UPI MDR charges on October 2",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/mobile-phone-retailers-to-protest-against-upi-mdr-charges-on-october-2-10199153",
        "published": "2026-09-27T11:04:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}