The UPI AutoPay maximum limit has evolved significantly since its launch in July 2020, making it easier for users to handle large recurring payments. Understanding these limits is crucial for anyone looking to automate their regular payments through UPI apps.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Limit | ₹15,000 per transaction for all merchants |
| Enhanced Limit | ₹1,00,000 for 8 specific merchant categories |
| Authentication | No UPI PIN for amounts within respective limits |
| Frequency Options | Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly |
| User Control | Full flexibility to pause, modify, or cancel |
| Security | Multi-layer authentication and notification system |
| Coverage | Works across all major UPI apps and banks |
| Recent Updates | Enhanced limits effective from December 2023 |
Current UPI AutoPay Limits: The Complete Breakdown
Standard Limit: ₹15,000 Per Transaction
For most recurring payments, the UPI AutoPay limit is set at ₹15,000 per transaction without requiring additional authentication. This covers the majority of everyday recurring payments including:
- Utility bills (electricity, water, gas)
- Mobile and broadband recharges
- OTT platform subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+)
- Gym and club memberships
- Small loan EMIs
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions
Enhanced Limit: ₹1,00,000 for Select Categories
Based on NPCI circular UPI/OC-151A issued on December 14, 2023, following RBI’s directive, certain categories now support the enhanced UPI AutoPay maximum limit of ₹1,00,000 per transaction without additional factor authentication (AFA).
Categories Eligible for ₹1 Lakh Limit
The following Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are eligible for the enhanced limit as per NPCI’s Annexure A:
| MCC Code | Category | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 5413 | Credit Card Bill Payments | Monthly credit card bill settlements |
| 5960 | Direct Marketing Insurance Services | Life, health, vehicle insurance premiums |
| 6012 | Financial Institutions Merchandise/Services | Banking services, loan processing |
| 6211 | Securities Brokers/Dealers | Investment platform fees, brokerage charges |
| 6300 | Insurance Sales & Underwriting | General insurance premiums |
| 6381 | Insurance Premiums | Specific insurance premium payments |
| 6399 | Insurance (Not Elsewhere Classified) | Other insurance-related payments |
| 6529 | LIC | Life Insurance Corporation premium payments |
How Do the New Limits Work?
Authentication Rules Based on Amount
The NPCI circular specifies different authentication requirements based on transaction amounts:
For Amounts ≤ ₹1,00,000:
- No UPI PIN required for subsequent recurring payments
- Banks process transactions based on Digital Signature (DS) only
- First execution within 5 minutes of mandate creation requires no additional authentication
For Amounts > ₹1,00,000:
- UPI PIN mandatory as Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA)
- Both Digital Signature and UPI PIN validation required
- Enhanced security measures for high-value transactions
Payment Processing Timeline
| Transaction Amount | Authentication Required | Processing Method |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹15,000 | None (for all categories) | Digital Signature only |
| ₹15,001 to ₹1,00,000 | None (for eligible MCCs only) | Digital Signature only |
| Above ₹1,00,000 | UPI PIN required | Digital Signature + UPI PIN |
Recent Updates and Changes
December 2023: Major Limit Enhancement
Following RBI circular RBI/2023-2024/88 dated December 12, 2023, NPCI increased the AFA-free limit from ₹15,000 to ₹1,00,000 for specific categories including:
- Mutual fund subscriptions
- Insurance premium payments
- Credit card bill payments
August 2025: Execution Timing Rules
New NPCI guidelines introduced timing restrictions to improve system efficiency:
- Peak hours restriction: AutoPay executions avoid 10:00 AM-1:00 PM and 5:00 PM-9:30 PM
- Retry mechanism: Maximum 3 retry attempts for failed transactions
- Rate limiting: System-level controls to prevent overload
Impact on Different Payment Categories
UPI AutoPay for Credit Card Bills
Credit card bill payments (MCC 5413) now support up to ₹1,00,000 without UPI PIN, making it easier to automate high credit card bill payments without monthly authentication hassles.
UPI AutoPay for Insurance
Multiple insurance-related MCCs (5960, 6300, 6381, 6399, 6529) support the enhanced ₹1,00,000 limit, covering life insurance, health insurance, and LIC premiums comprehensively.
UPI AutoPay Mutual Fund Limit
Financial institutions and securities brokers (MCCs 6012, 6211) can now process mutual fund SIPs up to ₹1,00,000 automatically, encouraging systematic investment habits.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for UPI AutoPay Limits?
The NPCI regularly reviews transaction limits based on:
- User adoption patterns and feedback
- Security requirements and fraud monitoring
- Market demand for higher value automation
- Technological infrastructure capabilities
Recent trends suggest continued expansion of enhanced limit categories as digital payment adoption grows and security measures improve.
How to Set Up UPI AutoPay on Paytm?
Setting up UPI AutoPay on Paytm for automatic bill payments and recharges is a simple process that can save you time and prevent missed payments.
Here is how to set up UPI autopay on Paytm:
Step 1: Open the Paytm app on your smartphone
Step 2: Tap on your profile icon located at the top left corner of the screen
Step 3: Navigate to ‘UPI & Payment Settings’ and scroll down to find ‘Automatic payments’ or ‘UPI settings’ at the bottom of the menu
Step 4: Tap on ‘Setup New’ to initiate the AutoPay mandate creation process
Step 5: Choose your service provider from the available categories:
- Mobile recharge (all major telecom operators)
- Electricity bill payments
- Water bill payments
- Piped gas bill payments
- Broadband/landline bill payments
- Insurance premiums (LIC and other providers)
Step 6: Enter the required service details on the next screen:
- Bill account number or customer ID
- Mobile number for recharge services
- Policy number for insurance payments
Step 7: Configure your payment settings:
- Set the payment amount (within applicable UPI AutoPay limits)
- Choose payment frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly)
- Select your preferred bank account for auto-debit
- Review and confirm all details
Step 8: Complete authentication with your UPI PIN to activate the mandate
Once setup is complete, your UPI AutoPay on Paytm will automatically process payments on schedule without requiring manual intervention each time.
For more details, you can check:
RBI Circular on UPI AutoPay Limits
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