Will payment through UPI always be free... if not, then when will the charge start; RBI governor said something big!

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is focusing on expanding UPI and discussions are going on about its cost. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said that UPI is not free, someone is paying for it. He stressed that there is a cost to run UPI so the question is who will pay.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is focusing on expanding India's UPI even more. In such a situation, there are discussions on who will bear the cost of using it. In a press conference held after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Wednesday, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra has given his opinion on the pricing model amid growing speculations about whether UPI payments will be charged or not.

On whether UPI will remain free for users, Malhotra said, "I never said UPI will always be free. It is still not free; somebody is paying for it."

He stressed that while there is a cost to running UPI, the more important question is who pays, not whether payments are made or not.

"Whether collectively or individually, somebody has to bear the cost. The government is subsidising it. But I never said users will have to pay," he reiterated, trying to assuage concerns about a possible charge on consumers.

Government policies

Malhotra emphasized that the current government policies are focused on promoting the adoption of UPI. There has been a significant increase in the usage of UPI in recent months, which shows the growing trust and convenience among users.

According to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI transactions reached a record 19.47 billion by July 2025, amounting to Rs 25.08 lakh crore> This is the second-highest transaction value on record after May's Rs 25.14 lakh crore.

PC:Jagran