India considers merchant fees for UPI digital payments

India is evaluating the introduction of merchant discount rates for its Unified Payments Interface, potentially ending the system's long-standing zero-fee structure. The UPI network has facilitated massive growth in digital transactions across the country by removing costs for both merchants and consumers. Policymakers are now weighing the impact of implementing fees to ensure the financial sustainability of the payment infrastructure. Any shift in pricing models could alter merchant adoption rates and consumer behavior in the world's largest real-time payment ecosystem. Monitor official regulatory announcements regarding the implementation timeline and fee structure for merchants.