New UPI Use Limits From August 1: Fewer Balance Checks, Autopay Requests

From August 1, 2025, existing UPI users will see some significant changes. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which runs the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, is introducing new limits on the number of times particular activities like balance checks or autopay-setup can be done in a single day. The changes are being introduced to stabilise the UPI network so that the system does not crash in times of high usage.

Why the Change

NPCI has found that repeated calls to the UPI network—specifically, for information like balance or status inquiries—tend to overload the system. These calls aren't always transactions involving the transfer of money, but still overload the system. When a high volume of such requests is made, the network may become slow or even shut down temporarily, affecting all users.

To remedy this problem, payment banks and apps have been directed to limit the number of times particular background systems, or APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), can be used within a day. Payment banks and apps have been directed to comply with the new limits till July 31, 2025.

What Are APIs and Why Do They Matter

APIs are mechanisms that allow apps to interface with the bank's systems. For instance, every time you look at your balance or try to see if a payment went through, your app sends an API request to your bank. Even the autopay feature provided by payment apps uses APIs in the background.

NPCI has asked banks and payment system providers to track and limit the top ten most used APIs, such as balance checks, payment status queries, and autopay initiation. Both user requests and system requests will be subjected to these limits.

How This Affects Daily UPI Use

After August 1, users will only be able to use the above-mentioned facilities provided by payment apps for a limited number of times in a single day. For example, balance enquiries will be limited to around 50 times a day per app. If you are using multiple apps, this would apply to each of them separately.

This means that users who constantly check the balance or payment status within a short duration might need to change their behaviour. The controls are not imposed on the number of times users can transfer money but on the underlying processes that allow these services.

Restrictions During Peak Hours

NPCI has also specified specific peak hours when extra limits will apply. NPCI has identified the 10 AM to 1 PM time slot and the 5 PM to 9:30 PM time slot as peak hours. During these times, non-user-initiated processes—such as automatic balance or mandate checks by apps in the background—will be subject to stricter limitations. This is being done to reduce pressure during peak times so that actual transactions can occur without any disruption.

Balance Information in Payment Alerts

To reduce the frequency of balance checks, NPCI has suggested a new feature. Users will be shown their latest account balance each time they send or receive money successfully. 

What Banks and Apps Have to Do

NPCI has asked all PSPs and banks to ensure they are tracking how many times these APIs are being called. They need to ensure that the APIs are not being excessively used by the system or the users. If they fail to do so, the NPCI can take steps such as blocking certain APIs, stopping new user registrations, or imposing penalties. All service providers will also have to submit a correct statement to the NPCI by August 31, ensuring that system-initiated API requests are correctly controlled and queued.

What Should You Keep in Mind

If you have the tendency to check your balance often or check the status of your payment repeatedly, it is best to cut back. Instead, users can rely on the updated balance notification, which will be shown to them once they complete a transaction successfully.