Amlegals iconAmlegalsSep 11, 2026

Who Pays for UPI? Rethinking the Sustainability of India’s Zero-Cost Digital Payments Model

Introduction The Unified Payments Interface ("UPI") has transformed India's digital payments ecosystem by enabling instant payments without a direct transaction charge for consumers and merchants. However, its unprecedented growth has raised a fundamental question: if UPI transactions remain free for users, who should ultimately bear the cost of maintaining the infrastructure?

Who Pays for UPI? Rethinking the Sustainability of India’s Zero-Cost Digital Payments Model

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Introduction The Unified Payments Interface ("UPI") has transformed India's digital payments ecosystem by enabling instant payments without a direct transaction charge for consumers and merchants.

However, its unprecedented growth has raised a fundamental question: if UPI transactions remain free for users, who should ultimately bear the cost of maintaining the infrastructure?

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Introduction The Unified Payments Interface ("UPI") has transformed India's digital payments ecosystem by enabling instant payments without a direct transaction charge for consumers and merchants. However, its unprecedented growth has raised a fundamental question: if UPI transactions remain free for users, who should ultimately bear the cost of maintaining the infrastructure?

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