Alert for GPay, PhonePe, Paytm Users: Big Changes in UPI Rules Have Come Into Effect from August 1! The NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) has introduced new UPI rules to improve security and system performance. Users can now check their bank balance only 10 times a day, and AutoPay transactions will only be processed between 6 AM and 9 PM.
Linked bank account checks are limited to once daily, and failed transaction status can be checked only 4 times. Name verification before payments is now mandatory for added safety.
New UPI Rules from August 1
If you regularly use Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any other UPI-based payment app, be prepared for some important changes. Starting August 1, 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced new UPI rules that aim to make digital transactions safer, faster, and more efficient.
These changes will affect how you check your bank balance, manage recurring payments, and verify transaction details. Whether you’re a casual user or someone who relies on UPI daily, here’s a complete breakdown of what’s new and how it impacts you.
Daily Limit on Bank Balance Checks
One of the most noticeable changes is the introduction of a limit on how many times you can check your bank balance through UPI apps in a single day.
- Until now, users could check their balance unlimited times. But with the new rule:
- Users will be allowed to check their bank balance only 10 times per day per UPI app.
- If you exceed this limit, the app will show a message: “Daily balance check limit reached.”
Why NPCI Introduced This Rule?
According to NPCI, this restriction is intended to reduce unnecessary load on the banking system and prevent bots or misuse through repeated API hits. It also helps maintain the speed and reliability of UPI services.
Restrictions on AutoPay (Recurring Payments)
- Starting August 1, UPI AutoPay services will also see a policy change. This affects payments like:
- EMIs
- OTT subscriptions (Netflix, Hotstar, etc.)
- Utility bills and mobile recharges
New Rule:
- AutoPay transactions will now be processed only between 6 AM and 9 PM.
- If a recurring payment is scheduled outside this time, it will be processed the next day during allowed hours.
This move helps in better monitoring of auto-debits, reduces the risk of transaction failures during non banking hours, and also helps reduce the load on bank servers.
New Rule on Checking Linked Bank Accounts
Earlier, UPI apps could freely check which bank accounts are linked to your number. That’s changing too.
What’s New:
- Now, UPI apps can check linked bank accounts only once per day per user.
- If you try to recheck or reverify linked accounts multiple times, the app will not show updated data until the next day.
- This aims to reduce repeated backend queries and enhance privacy.
Failed Transactions – Status Check Rule
We’ve all faced failed UPI transactions and kept refreshing to see if the money was deducted or not. Now, NPCI has brought a new rule to handle this more efficiently.
From August 1:
- Apps can re-check failed transaction status only 4 times.
- These checks will happen in intervals of 15 minutes each.
- After the 4th attempt, the final status will be shown and no more auto-refresh will be allowed.
This update ensures less pressure on bank servers and quicker resolution for users.
Mandatory Recipient Name Verification
To prevent fraud and ensure secure payments, name verification of the recipient has been made mandatory before every transaction.
What You Need to Know:
- Before sending money, your UPI app will now show the full verified name of the recipient.
- If the name doesn’t match or looks suspicious, you will be warned before proceeding.
This is a major safety feature aimed at reducing scams, where users unknowingly send money to the wrong person.
How These Rules Affect You?
These rule changes may feel restrictive to some users, but NPCI says they are focused on improving the overall UPI infrastructure. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Feature What’s Changing Impact
- Balance Check Max 10 times/day Plan usage carefully
- AutoPay Timing Only between 6 AM – 9 PM Payments may be delayed
- Account Check Only once/day Slower re-adding of accounts
- Failed Transactions Max 4 status checks Faster resolution, less waiting
- Name Verification Mandatory before payments Safer transactions
NPCI’s Official Statement Why UPI Rules Have Been Updated
In its latest communication, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that the new UPI rules are aimed at enhancing security, improving transaction speed, and reducing server load to ensure a smoother user experience. With UPI handling over 12 billion transactions monthly, the system is being fine-tuned to handle growing demand more efficiently.
Banks and UPI app providers like Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm have also begun notifying users about these changes through push notifications, emails, and in-app alerts.
The Future of UPI Structured, Secure, and User-Friendly
The new UPI rules effective from 01 August 2025, mark a significant shift in how digital payments will work in India. While these changes may take some time to adjust to, they are meant to strengthen the security and performance of the UPI platform.
As users, it’s important to stay informed, update your apps, and manage your transactions accordingly. Whether you’re paying your bills, subscribing to services, or transferring money, the future of UPI is now more structured and safer.
