Payments · 2 October 2026

What Is UPI AutoPay? Recurring Payments with UPI Mandates Explained

Short answer

UPI AutoPay is a feature of UPI, run by NPCI, that lets a customer approve a recurring payment mandate once in their UPI app. After that, the business can collect the agreed amount automatically on schedule, such as monthly for a subscription, an EMI or a bill, without the customer approving each payment.

How UPI AutoPay works

The business creates a mandate request with the amount, frequency and validity.
The customer approves it once in any UPI app with their UPI PIN.
Before each debit, the customer gets a pre-debit notification.
On the due date the amount is debited automatically.
The customer can view, pause or cancel the mandate in their UPI app at any time.

Limits and authentication

Under RBI rules for recurring e-mandates, payments up to a set limit can be debited without the customer entering their PIN each time; above the limit, each payment needs extra authentication. RBI has set a higher limit for some categories such as insurance premiums, mutual fund investments and credit card bills. Check the current limits with your provider, because RBI revises them from time to time.

Where businesses use UPI AutoPay

Subscriptions: OTT, software, news, gyms and memberships.
Loan EMIs and buy-now-pay-later repayments.
Insurance premiums and SIP investments.
Utility, broadband and mobile bills.
School and coaching fees.

UPI AutoPay vs e-NACH vs card mandates

Many businesses offer more than one option so customers can choose.

UPI AutoPay: set up in seconds in any UPI app; best for small and medium recurring amounts.
e-NACH: a bank-account mandate, suited to larger amounts and longer tenures.
Card mandates: recurring charges on debit or credit cards, following RBI e-mandate rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can a customer cancel UPI AutoPay?

Yes. The customer can pause or revoke the mandate at any time from their UPI app.

Is UPI AutoPay available in all UPI apps?

Most major UPI apps and banks support UPI AutoPay mandates.

Does the customer get notified before each debit?

Yes. A pre-debit notification is sent before each recurring payment is taken.