UPI’s New Safety Step: NPCI to Stop “Pull” Transactions from October 31 India’s digital payment system, UPI (Unified Payments Interface), is getting a major safety upgrade. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has decided to disable “pull” transactions also known as collect or recipient-initiated requests starting October 1 or October 31, 2025, depending on the source. This measure aims to protect users from online fraud. Here’s what it means in simple words.
What Are “Pull” Transactions?
UPI’s New Safety Step: NPCI to Stop “Pull” Transactions from October 31 n UPI, there are two ways to send or receive money:
- Push transactions: You, the payer, initiate payment. For example, you scan a QR code or enter someone’s UPI ID and send money—safe and under your control.
- Pull (collect) transactions: The receiver initiates a request for money. You get a notification in your UPI app, and if you enter your UPI PIN to approve it, money is deducted. It was meant to be convenient—for example, when you split a bill with friends.
Why Is NPCI Ending “Pull” Transactions?
Over time, fraudsters started misusing pull transactions. They sent false collect requests via fake QR codes or messages, tricking users into entering their UPI PINs. You might think you’re paying a friend—but you’re actually sending money to a scammer.
To stop this misuse, NPCI has decided to stop processing all peer-to-peer (P2P) collect requests, so they no longer appear in your UPI app.
Multiple trusted sources confirm this:
- UPI’s New Safety Step: NPCI to Stop “Pull” Transactions from October 31 Economic Times (ET) says NPCI will discontinue P2P pull transactions from October 31, 2025
- Moneycontrol and Business Today report that NPCI told banks and UPI apps to end P2P collect requests from October 1, 2025
- Times Bull also notes that pull transactions in personal transactions will stop after October 31.
- Outlook Business reiterates discontinuation from October 31, 2025
- ETtech Explainer confirms that disabling pull transactions starts October 31 to reduce fraud.
Although there’s a slight difference in the precise date (October 1 vs. October 31), the clear intent is to completely end peer-to-peer collect requests by the end of October 2025.
What Happens After This Change?
- UPI’s New Safety Step: NPCI to Stop “Pull” Transactions from October 31 You will no longer receive collect requests from individuals. No more approving someone else pulling money from your account.
- All future payments must be initiated by you (push method)—so you stay in full control.
- This change doesn’t affect merchants. Shops or businesses that already use UPI with proper KYC verification can still safely use collect requests
- Pull transactions were already limited to ₹2,000 per request and capped per day still, fraud persisted enough to prompt this change
Why This Is a Smart Move
- Less chance to get tricked: Fraudsters can no longer send automated collect requests hoping you’ll fall for them.
- Better control and clarity: You now make all decisions to send money, so the power stays with you.
- Easier to track fraud prevention: With pull removed, UPI platforms can better focus on safe payment flows.
Although pull transactions formed just around 3% of total UPI transactions, the misuse potential was enough for NPCI to act decisively
What Should You Do?
- Use only push payments: Always initiate transfers yourself—scan QR codes or enter UPI IDs.
- Ignore unexpected payment requests: Especially if someone sends a quick payment collect request. Decline and stick to push methods.
- Check transaction details carefully: Make sure the recipient name and amount are correct before confirming.
- Keep your UPI PIN safe: Don’t share it ever. Only enter it when you’re initiating the transaction.
- Support merchants correctly: Call or pay trusted shops in-person, or make push payments to their verified IDs.
Snapshot: The Change at a Glance
| Feature | Before October 2025 | After October 2025 |
| Pull (collect) | Allowed for P2P (≤ ₹2,000) | Disallowed for P2P |
| Push (user-initiated) | Allowed | Still allowed (only way now) |
| Merchant collect reqs | Allowed (if KYC compliant) | Still allowed |
| Fraud risk | Higher (scams via fake collect) | Lower (more payer control) |
| NPCI rule date | October 1 or 31, 2025 (end of month) | Same |
Final Word
The move to block pull transactions from late October 2025 is a strong step forward in protecting UPI users from fraud. While the pull feature offered convenience, its misuse by fraudsters posed serious risks. By shifting to push-only payments for peer-to-peer transactions, NPCI makes UPI safer and gives you more control over your money.
This is a good reminder: always initiate payments yourself. Stay alert, confirm details, and keep your UPI PIN secure. With these easy habits and NPCI’s new rule, your digital payments can stay seamless and secure. Further reading on this topic