UPI MDR Deferred Past Diwali: What Merchants Should Check Now
Originally published at WowHow UPI MDR on larger merchant payments is deferred, not cancelled: NPCI said on 13 October 2026 that it will start "immediately post Diwali at a date to be notified separately", and as of 19 October 2026 no date has been notified. [1] The rule that was due on 15 October was a Merchant Discount Rate of up to 0.4% on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above ₹2,000, paid by the merchant, never the customer. [2] Diwali Laxmi Pujan is on Sunday 8 November 2026, [6] and a date straight after the festival is consistent with NPCI's wording, but none has been notified. This guide separates what two primary documents confirm from what only news outlets have reported, then walks a freelancer, online seller or shop through what to check before the date lands. This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Nothing here is a statement of what will be charged on any date, because no effective date is notified. Rates, caps and exemp...