Retailer bodies call off October 2 UPI boycott after Sitharaman meeting
AIMRA and AICPDF withdrew 'NO UPI DAY' scheduled for October 2, 2026, after meeting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They requested deferring proposed UPI MDR, starting at 0.20%, raising the threshold to Rs 5 lakh and exempting merchant-to-merchant transactions.
Read the source at NDTV ProfitNewer AIMRA signal · — may update this storyAIMRA, AICPDF cancel October 2 ‘No UPI Day’ protest after meeting Sitharaman
What it means for online and offline
Keep UPI checkout plans steady after the October 2 boycott withdrawal, but scenario-plan merchant fee costs because the requested concessions are not confirmed policy.
Signals to track
- Official Finance Ministry, RBI or NPCI communication confirming whether any merchant-fee framework will proceed.
- Whether the requested 0.20% starting rate is accepted, rejected or replaced; it is not a confirmed rate.
- The precise basis, measurement period and eligibility rules for the requested Rs 5 lakh threshold.
- Whether merchant-to-merchant exemptions or a deferral are formally granted, and their scope.
- Merchant pricing notices, renewed protest announcements or measurable changes in payment acceptance and checkout mix.
The counter-case
The withdrawal removes a threatened payment disruption but does not establish lower merchant costs or a meaningful omni-channel shift. No fee deferral, 0.20% rate, Rs 5 lakh threshold or merchant-to-merchant exemption is confirmed. Without evidence that the boycott would have materially affected UPI acceptance, this may be a limited operational development rather than a high-impact retail signal.