📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Finance of India
Business
Maharashtra to enforce ‘No UPI Day’ on Oct 2, after Madhya Pradesh
✍️ Livemint
🗓 25 Sep 2026, 01:32 AM
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The Maharashtra government will suspend UPI transactions on October 2, mirroring a similar move by Madhya Pradesh, and has issued guidance for consumers on alternative payment methods.
The state government of Maharashtra announced that on October 2, all Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will be temporarily disabled across the state. The decision follows a similar "no UPI day" experiment carried out by Madhya Pradesh earlier this year, aimed at testing the resilience of the payment ecosystem and encouraging offline transactions.
Consumers have been advised to rely on cash, debit or credit cards, and other digital wallets that do not depend on UPI for the day. Retailers and merchants are expected to display notices and ensure that alternative payment options are functional to avoid inconvenience.
The finance department said the one‑day suspension will help assess the impact of reduced digital transaction volume on banking infrastructure and will provide data for future policy decisions. No penalties will be imposed on users or merchants for non‑compliance during the designated period.
Authorities have urged citizens to plan ahead, especially for essential purchases, and to keep sufficient cash on hand. The move is being monitored closely, with a review slated for early November to decide whether similar measures will be adopted in other states.
Consumers have been advised to rely on cash, debit or credit cards, and other digital wallets that do not depend on UPI for the day. Retailers and merchants are expected to display notices and ensure that alternative payment options are functional to avoid inconvenience.
The finance department said the one‑day suspension will help assess the impact of reduced digital transaction volume on banking infrastructure and will provide data for future policy decisions. No penalties will be imposed on users or merchants for non‑compliance during the designated period.
Authorities have urged citizens to plan ahead, especially for essential purchases, and to keep sufficient cash on hand. The move is being monitored closely, with a review slated for early November to decide whether similar measures will be adopted in other states.