If you are among those who are constantly checking the bank balance or transaction status through your UPI app (e.g., Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), a major change is in store for you from August 1, 2025.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which runs the country's UPI system, has rolled out fresh guidelines to ease digital payments and prevent the system from slowing down. What you need to know and how it will affect your daily banking.
Balance check limit: Now you can check your bank balance for 50 times a day through any one UPI app. In case you are using more than one app, then all of them will have the 50-check limit.
Linked Account View Limit: You can view your list of linked bank accounts only 25 times a day on an app.
Transaction status checks: In the event of a pending or stuck payment, you can inquire about its status only three times, and every status inquiry must be spaced at least 90 seconds apart.
AutoPay (Scheduled Payments) timings: Payments for EMIs, subscriptions, utility bills, etc. will now be done at fixed times, not at random intervals during the day. The timings sanctioned are before 10 AM, between 1 PM – 5 PM, and after 9:30 PM.
Payment reversal requests: A maximum of 10 reversal requests can be made within 30 days, with a cap of 5 per sender.
Beneficiary name display: Your UPI app will show you the registered bank name of the recipient before you confirm a payment to ensure that you do not fall prey to fraud and payment errors.
NPCI says that repeated balance checks and frequent status requests between 10 AM and 1 PM and 5 PM and 9:30 PM, when the system is busiest (peak hours), create unnecessary traffic on the UPI network that slows down and even renders the system non-functional. Systemic slowing of UPI in March and April 2025 affected services of millions. These new limits are introduced to guarantee that the platform is fast, stable, and safe for all, whether individuals, banks, or merchants.
Unless you keep checking your balance or transaction status repeatedly, you will not see a significant change. Regular users, such as those checking balances or changing transaction statuses very frequently, will need to alter their behavior. The changes will be applied in all UPI-enabled apps.
Real-time money transfers are enabled by UPI.
Multiple bank accounts can be linked to a single mobile app.
It needs just a mobile number, account number, or UPI ID for the payment.
NPCI launched UPI in 2016 and has brought it to the forefront of payment systems in India.
The existing per-transaction cap (Rs 1 lakh for most cases, Rs 5 lakh for certain categories) doesn't change.
The majority of daily transactions, bill payments, and merchant payments will continue as usual, unless you exceed the new limits on inquiries.
Banks and app developers must comply with these regulatory ceilings. The NPCI will monitor compliance and can penalize or revoke access to non-compliant banks or apps.
From August 1, be mindful of how many times you check your UPI balance or status of a transaction. The new caps are to protect the payment system and make the experience of all digital banking users smooth and seamless.
If you require further explanation of how these changes might impact you or your business, you can talk to your bank or UPI app issuer.
