{
  "id": 255163,
  "title": "RBI has funds to pay for UPI platform without having to charge merchants, customers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/rbi-has-funds-to-pay-for-upi-platform-without-having-to-charge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T07:31:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rbi-has-funds-to-pay-for-upi-platform-without-having-to-charge-merchants-customers/article71310040.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated on August 5, 2026 that the cost of using the UPI platform, which is currently free for merchants and customers, must ultimately be covered by someone. The cost, traditionally absorbed by banks and the National Payment Corporation of India, could potentially be borne by merchants under new government proposals. Experts suggest these merchants would ultimately pass the additional charge onto consumers. However, the RBI has revealed it possesses ample funds to cover the UPI platform's operational expenses without imposing any further charges on merchants or customers. This cost is estimated to range between 3-8.5% of the central bank's annual surplus, which has more than doubled UPI transaction volumes over the past five years. Despite the significant growth in UPI adoption, the RBI's annual surplus has grown even more rapidly, making the cost of running the platform comparatively insignificant.",
  "summary": "The government has introduced a Bill in Parliament that will allow it to notify the kinds of transactions that can attract such a charge. So far, UPI has been free for merchants and customers",
  "key_points": [
    "RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirms UPI platform costs will be covered",
    "Government proposes merchants may absorb platform's operational expenses",
    "RBI holds sufficient funds to cover costs without affecting merchants or customers"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}