ICICI Bank to start charging Google Pay, PhonePe for UPI transactions from…

ICICI Bank will start charging payment platforms like Google Pay and PhonePe for UPI transactions. Here’s how it may impact your online transactions.

ICICI Bank has introduced a new fee structure for payment aggregators (PAs) processing Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions on merchant platforms. The change, effective from August 1, will impact platforms such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Mobikwik, and Razorpay.

ICICI Bank will charge payment aggregators for UPI transactions from August 1. (MINT)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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New Fee Structure for Payment Aggregators

Payment aggregators act as intermediaries between banks and merchants, handling the collection and settlement of payments. According to reports, ICICI Bank has informed PAs that those maintaining an escrow account with the bank will pay 2 basis points per transaction, capped at Rs. 6. For those without an escrow account at the bank, the fee will be 4 basis points, capped at Rs. 10 per transaction.

No charges will apply if UPI payments are directly settled into a merchant’s ICICI Bank account, allowing the bank to benefit from holding these funds temporarily. Industry executives believe the move aligns with recent regulatory discussions on monetising UPI infrastructure.

Private sector peers such as Yes Bank and Axis Bank already charge PAs for UPI payments. These three banks together handle a major share of UPI transactions for both payers and payees.

Experts say the rapid growth of UPI, particularly in peer-to-merchant transactions, has increased infrastructure costs for banks. Since UPI transactions do not attract a merchant discount rate (MDR), banks earn little revenue from facilitating them. By introducing fees for PAs offers a way to offset operational expenses.

Impact on Merchants and Customers

Currently, banks also pay a fee to use the UPI switch. PAs recover costs from merchants through platform fees, convenience fees, and other charges, while customers remain exempt from direct UPI charges. Industry sources suggest PAs may pass these new costs to merchants or absorb them, depending on agreements in place.

When customers pay via UPI on merchant platforms, the PA routes the transaction between the customer’s bank and the merchant’s bank. Often, the funds are first deposited into an escrow account managed by the PA before being transferred to the merchant. This setup ensures settlement security but may now attract additional costs due to ICICI Bank’s new policy.

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