RSS-linked group opposes UPI transaction fee proposal above ₹2,000

Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an economic policy wing affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has opposed the introduction of transaction fees on UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000. The group's co-convener Ashwani Mahajan characterized any such levy as "unfortunate," contending that it would diminish India's standing as a global leader in digital payment innovation.

The proposed merchant discount rate (MDR) has emerged as a contentious issue among stakeholders in India's payments ecosystem. Supporters of the fee argue it would help sustain the infrastructure costs of payment processors, while critics contend that charges would discourage digital adoption among consumers and small merchants.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch's intervention reflects broader concern from nationalist economic groups about policies affecting India's domestic fintech sector. The organization has historically advocated for indigenous economic models and pricing structures that prioritize affordability and mass accessibility.

UPI, operated by the National Payments Corporation of India, has become the world's largest real-time payment system by transaction volume, processing billions of daily transfers. Any changes to its fee structure could have significant implications for merchants, consumers, and the regulatory environment governing digital payments in India.