
India to Restore UPI Merchant Fees, PhonePe Gains Most
India's government plans to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act to restore UPI merchant discount rates, ending the zero-MDR regime in place since January 2020.
Key Takeaways
May 2, 2026 · 2 min read · By Rishabh Bhardwaj
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The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Rohit Jain as a Deputy Governor, effective May 3, for a three-year term.
The RBI has four Deputy Governor positions, each typically overseeing distinct functions such as monetary policy, regulation, currency management, and financial markets. A new appointment at this level can signal a shift in supervisory focus or fill a vacancy left by a departing official, though the source does not specify which portfolio Jain will hold or which position this appointment fills.
Deputy Governors at the RBI carry significant operational weight. They chair key internal committees, represent the central bank in regulatory discussions, and often serve as the public face of specific policy areas. A three-year term is standard and gives the appointee a defined window to shape their assigned function.
Rohit Jain's background and prior role are not detailed in the announcement, so it is not yet clear whether this appointment signals continuity or a change in direction on any particular regulatory front.
Clarity on Jain's specific portfolio will be the first thing to track after May 3. If he is assigned banking regulation or monetary policy operations, markets and financial institutions will pay close attention to his early statements and committee positions. Any further official communication from the RBI on responsibilities will sharpen the picture considerably.

India's government plans to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act to restore UPI merchant discount rates, ending the zero-MDR regime in place since January 2020.
India's government has introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing changes to payments regulation, income tax, and the Finance Act to attract FDI and support Make in India. The Bill's final shape will depend on parliamentary debate and committee review.
The government's Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to replace the blanket UPI MDR ban with a system allowing the Centre to notify which payment modes stay fee-free.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rs 5,000 crore Bhogapuram greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh, built under a public-private partnership model. He also laid foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore in the state, signalling a broad investment push for the region.