As per a report by MediaNama, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said in a press release issued from Mumbai on October 13 that its UPI and Services Steering Committee had decided that, keeping in mind the festive season, the merchant discount rate (MDR) on select person-to-merchant UPI transactions will be implemented "immediately post Diwali at a date to be notified separately." The charge had been due to take effect on October 15.

Under the framework, MDR of 0.4 percent applies to eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000, while merchant payments up to Rs 2,000 stay at zero MDR and person-to-person transfers remain free, according to MediaNama and other reports. MediaNama reports that merchant bodies, fintechs and payments companies had asked for more time to understand the rates and how they apply across transaction categories; NPCI's release itself cites only the festive season. The deferral follows the Supreme Court's September 28 hearing, where it declined to stay the charge and asked the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India and NPCI to explain its legal basis.