SEBI Investigates Concerns Over Merchant Discount Rate on UPI Payments
- Reports
- 12
- Developments
- 1
- Repetition
- 92%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched an investigation into concerns raised by the industry regarding the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applied to UPI payments. The new framework mandates an MDR of 0.02 per cent, capped at ₹300 per transaction, for capital market payments via UPI, effective since October 15. Stockbrokers have raised concerns that this levy could disproportionately increase their operational costs since funds transferred by clients do not guarantee a trade.
Why it matters
The industry argues that the MDR applies even when clients transfer funds without immediate trading activity, meaning the broker may earn little to no revenue from the transaction itself. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey confirmed that the regulator would examine these issues to find ways to ease the burden on the industry.
Who's involved
- Securities and Exchange Board of IndiaRegulator investigating the application and impact of MDR on UPI payments
- ZerodhaIndian financial services company facing operational cost increases due to MDR on UPI
- Nithin KamathZerodha CEO who highlighted the issue regarding the viability of MDR for investment firms
- GrowwIndian fintech company operating in the stockbroking sector and facing increased operational costs
- IndiaThe overall financial market structure potentially undergoing shifts due to payment rules
- Reserve Bank of IndiaCentral bank overseeing the payment ecosystem that is subject to investigation regarding UPI charges
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
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The entities involved
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Securities and Exchange Board of India
registration authority
Related events
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