In a post on X, the association said, “UPI has always been free for consumers since its launch in 2016. Every Indian can continue making instant digital payments without paying any transaction charges.” Clarifying the ongoing debate around UPI charges, Payments Council of India said small merchants, including kirana stores, will also continue to accept UPI payments without paying the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). It also said that even if merchant service charges are levied on large merchants in future, consumers would not be required to pay for using UPI. Merchant service charges, wherever applicable, are commercial arrangements between merchants and payment service providers and do not translate into charges for consumers, it said, adding that such arrangements are common across digital payment systems globally.