The Times of India · 16 Sep, 04:55 · Business briefing

'To strengthen UPI's long-term sustainability': RBI backs 0.4% MDR on transactions above Rs 2,000

The Reserve Bank of India has endorsed a merchant discount rate of 0.4 per cent on Unified Payments Interface transactions exceeding Rs 2,000.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The Reserve Bank of India has endorsed a merchant discount rate of 0.4 per cent on Unified Payments Interface transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. This policy shift aims to enhance the long-term financial sustainability of the digital payment infrastructure. By introducing a fee for higher-value digital transfers, the central bank seeks to balance user convenience with the operational costs borne by banks and payment service providers. This development marks a significant evolution in India’s digital payment landscape, moving towards a model that shares the financial burden more equitably among stakeholders while ensuring the system’s continued growth and stability.

Employer demand for AI in Banking skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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You must adapt to a more regulated digital economy. Professionals in fintech, banking, and regulatory compliance now hold heightened strategic value. Focus on understanding payment gateway economics and regulatory frameworks. If you work in finance, deepen your expertise in transaction cost analysis and risk management. For tech leaders, prioritise skills in secure payment integration and data privacy. Smart professionals will immediately review their organisation’s payment strategies to anticipate margin impacts. Upskill in regulatory technology and financial compliance to remain indispensable. This shift demands agility; those who master the intersection of technology and financial regulation will lead the next wave of digital transformation.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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