RBI Increases UPI Lite Wallet and Transaction Limits

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the UPI Lite wallet limit to Rs 5,000 and the per-transaction limit to Rs 1,000. This move aims to boost offline digital payments by making higher-value transactions more accessible without requiring internet connectivity.

Piyush Shukla Published On December 5th, 2024

In a bid to enhance digital payments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the UPI Lite wallet limit to Rs 5,000, with an increase in the per-transaction limit to Rs 1,000. This adjustment, announced after the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on October 9, 2024, aims to promote wider adoption of UPI Lite and ease offline transactions, providing a more seamless experience for users.

Key Changes in UPI Lite Limits

Per-Transaction Limit: The transaction limit for UPI Lite has been raised from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, making it easier for users to conduct higher-value offline payments without the need for internet connectivity.

Total Wallet Limit: The total wallet limit for UPI Lite has been increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 2,000. This change allows users to store more funds in their wallet for convenient small-value transactions.

Replenishment Process: The replenishment of the used limit will be allowed only in online mode, secured by Additional Factor Authentication (AFA), ensuring a higher level of security.

Impact on UPI Lite and Offline Transactions

UPI Lite is designed to facilitate small-value digital payments without requiring a UPI PIN or real-time transaction alerts. Transactions under this system are offline, which means they do not require an active internet connection, although the replenishment process is an online activity. This change is expected to drive the adoption of UPI Lite, especially in regions with limited internet connectivity.

Past and Present of UPI’s Evolution

UPI’s International Expansion: UPI has already crossed borders, with services in countries like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Singapore. Currently, discussions are underway with over 20 countries in Africa and South America to introduce similar systems.

Growth in Transactions: Despite a decrease in transaction volume and value in November 2024 compared to October, UPI transactions remain robust, with a 10% increase in volume from September 2024. UPI’s daily averages in October reached 516 million transactions totaling Rs 71,840 crore, reflecting its continued growth and acceptance.

Summary of the news

Why in News	Key Points
RBI Increases UPI Lite Limits	Date of Announcement: October 2024 Increased Wallet Limit: ₹5,000 (previously ₹2,000) Per-Transaction Limit: ₹1,000 (previously ₹500) Replenishment Process: Online mode with Additional Factor Authentication (AFA)
UPI Lite	Functionality: Facilitates small-value offline transactions without internet or telecom connectivity. Transaction Alerts: Not sent in real-time.
UPI Lite Adoption	Expected to encourage the use of digital payments in areas with limited internet access.
International Expansion of UPI	UPI services extend beyond India to countries like Sri Lanka, Mauritius, UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal. International Discussions: Ongoing with 20 countries in Africa and South America.
UPI Transaction Data	November 2024: 15.48 billion transactions totaling ₹21.55 lakh crore (6.6% decrease in volume, 8.3% decrease in value compared to October 2024) October 2024: 16.58 billion transactions totaling ₹23.50 lakh crore.