Ever sent money on a busy payday only to get the “limit reached” pop-up? You’re not alone! India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) keeps guardrails called upi transaction limits, so the system stays quick, secure, and glitch-free. Let’s decode those limits, see how they affect you, and learn a few smart hacks to stay worry-free.

What is the UPI Transaction Limit? 

At its simplest, a UPI limit is the cap on how much or how often you can transfer money through any UPI app in 24 hours (and, in some cases, per month). NPCI’s default ceiling is ₹1 lakh per day and ₹1 lakh per transaction for regular payments. Special categories like hospital bills, college fees, IPOs, and some tax payments, enjoy a higher ₹2 lakh or ₹5 lakh cap when the merchant is RBI-approved  

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) sets a universal “speed limit” of ₹1 lakh in total value and 20 transactions every 24 hours, no matter which Unified Payments Interface (UPI) app you use, be it Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or any other. These caps act as built-in safety valves: high enough to cover everyday needs like grocery runs, utility bills, and a dinner out, yet low enough to cushion you against large unauthorized debits if your phone or UPI PIN ever falls into the wrong hands. 

Understanding Daily and Per-Transaction UPI Limits 

As per NPCI rules, the default UPI transaction limit per day and per transfer is ₹1 lakh. For hospital bills, college fees, or IPOs, the limit can go up to ₹2–5 lakh. 

There Are Two Main UPI limits: 

• Per transaction limit – the maximum amount you can send in one go. 
• Daily limit – the total amount you can send in a day. 

Apps like Google Pay allow up to 20 transfers a day and 150 transfers per month.  These limits help prevent fraud and avoid server overload. Most banks and apps (like HDFC, ICICI, PhonePe) follow the ₹1 lakh rule. SBI allows only 10 transfers daily. 

To check or change your limit, go to your bank app → UPI settings → Manage Limit. Pay big bills early, use UPI Lite for small spends, link multiple bank accounts, and keep your KYC updated. 

Also Read: Personal Loan Balance Transfer – Check Interest Rate & Charges

UPI Limits by Bank and App (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, etc.) 

*Special caps apply only to RBI-approved categories. 

RBI Guidelines and Recent Changes to UPI Limits 

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NPCI regularly review UPI rules to keep digital payments safe, smooth, and inclusive. Here are some important updates you should know: 

December 2023: RBI increased the UPI transaction limit for select payments. You can now pay up to ₹5 lakh through UPI for specific purposes like hospital bills and educational fees, as long as the receiver (merchant) is verified and approved by RBI. This helps users make large, essential payments easily without switching to other modes. 

April 2025: RBI confirmed that the limit for person-to-person (P2P) transfers will remain ₹1 lakh per day. However, they are considering raising limits for merchant transactions in more categories to reduce reliance on credit/debit cards for big payments. 

Coming August 2025: NPCI plans to limit the number of times users can check their bank balance through UPI apps, especially during peak hours. This move will help reduce server load and improve speed and reliability for all users. 

Banks may adopt higher thresholds (up to ₹5 lakh) for government-approved categories, but standard retail caps remain unchanged. 

Also Read: What is Payment Reversal? Types, Causes & How It Works

How UPI Transaction Limits Impact Users and Merchants 

UPI limits may seem like a technical rule, but they affect both regular users and businesses in real ways. Here’s how: 

For Individuals: If you’re trying to make a large payment over ₹1 lakh, like buying gold or making a down payment for something expensive, your transaction might fail due to the UPI transaction limit per day. In such cases, you’ll have to split the amount into smaller transactions or use other methods like NEFT, RTGS, or IMPS. 

For Merchants (like hospitals or colleges): Businesses in sectors like healthcare or education benefit from the higher UPI limits (up to ₹5 lakh). It allows customers to pay large amounts easily through UPI, saving merchants from extra charges on card payments. 

For Freelancers and Small Businesses: If you receive multiple payments daily or transfer money to vendors, you need to track both the number of transactions and the total amount sent. Reaching the limit can delay payments and impact your cash flow. 

These limits are also put in place to reduce the chances of fraud. If someone gains access to your UPI account, they can’t wipe out your entire bank balance thanks to these built-in caps. It gives users peace of mind while transacting online. 

How to Check or Modify Your UPI Limit 

If you’ve ever wondered how much you can send through UPI in a day or want to set your own limit for safety, here’s how you can do it: 

Step 1: Open Your Bank’s Mobile App

Go to the UPI section of the app you use (like HDFC Bank app, SBI YONO, etc.). 

Step 2: Look for ‘Manage UPI Limit’ or ‘Set UPI Limit 

This option lets you see your current UPI transaction limit and adjust it if needed. 

Step 3: Lowering Your Limit 

You can reduce your limit anytime to feel more secure. For example, if you want to avoid large amounts being accidentally sent or misused, setting a lower limit helps. 

Step 4: Raising Your Limit 

Increasing your limit may not always be instant. Some banks may ask you to use net banking or even visit the branch for security reasons. 

Note on Transaction Count Limit: You can’t increase the number of transactions per day (like the 20 transactions per day limit). These limits are fixed by NPCI and apply to everyone. 

New UPI Users Have a Temporary Limit: If you’ve just created a UPI ID, your transaction cap may be set between ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for the first 24 hours. This is a cooling-off period for safety.   

Best Practices to Manage UPI Limits 

UPI is fast and convenient, but the daily and monthly limits can get in the way if you’re not prepared. Here are some smart and simple tips to help you make the most of your UPI experience: 

1. Pay big bills early in the day: If you’re planning a large transaction (like rent, insurance, or EMI), try to do it early. If you wait till later and reach your UPI limit per day, the transaction might fail or get delayed. 
2. Link more than one bank account: You can link two or more bank accounts to your UPI app (like GPay or PhonePe). If you hit the limit on one account, you can use the other to continue sending money. 
3. Use UPI Lite for small payments: For daily spends like tea, snacks, or groceries, use UPI Lite. It has a separate ₹200 per transaction and ₹5000 daily limit, so your main bank UPI quota stays free for bigger payments. 
4. Track your monthly transfers: Apps like Google Pay limit you to 150 UPI transfers per month. If you use UPI for business or frequent transfers, it’s good to check your count regularly to avoid any sudden block. 
5. Keep your KYC updated: Ensure your bank account and UPI app are fully KYC-compliant. An incomplete KYC may lead to sudden freezes or lower limits. 
6. Use other payment modes for large transactions: If you need to send more than ₹1 lakh in a single payment, switch to NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, or use your debit/credit card. These modes don’t follow UPI’s per-day limits. 

These simple steps can help you avoid transaction failures, stay within safe limits, and enjoy a smoother digital payment experience. 

Conclusion 

UPI’s spending caps aren’t hurdles. In fact, they’re guardrails that keep the rails friction-free and fraud-free. A quick peek at your bank or app limits before a hefty payment can save you time and stress. Stay informed, tweak your own cap sensibly, and glide through payments; one safe, swift tap at a time.