WhatsApp is making another major push into everyday payments in India. The messaging platform has launched Bill Payments, allowing users to find, manage and pay bills without leaving the app.&nbsp;The feature is powered by Bharat Connect, the bill payment network, and gives users access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards and loan repayments. Meta says the feature is being rolled out gradually across India and will reach both Android and iOS users over the coming weeks.&nbsp;<h2>What can you pay on WhatsApp?</h2>The new feature is designed to bring recurring household payments into one place.Users can pay electricity and water bills, gas bills, FASTag recharges, insurance payments, credit card bills and loan repayments, among other categories. It also goes beyond a one-time payment. WhatsApp will let users view past payments and upcoming bills. A biller that has been used before can appear in the Payments Home section, giving users quicker access the next time they need to pay. The platform also supports multiple accounts under one biller, which could be useful for people managing bills for their home, office or family.Bharat Connect is designed as an interoperable bill payment platform covering multiple bill categories and payment channels.&nbsp;<h2>How to pay bills on WhatsApp</h2>Using the feature is relatively simple:Open WhatsApp and tap the Rs icon at the top of the home screen.Select the bill category and biller.Enter and confirm your account details.Check the bill amount fetched by WhatsApp.Select a payment method.Confirm the payment.&nbsp;WhatsApp says users can pay using UPI, debit cards or credit cards.The company has already been expanding payments and everyday services in India. Earlier this year, it added prepaid mobile recharges through the ₹ icon, allowing users to recharge Jio, Airtel and Vi numbers without leaving WhatsApp.<figure class="image"><img src="https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2026/09/20260903060852_WhatsApp-Launches-Bill-payments-in-India.png" alt="WhatsApp Launches Bill payments in India"></figure><h2>WhatsApp wants to become more than a messaging app</h2>The bill payment launch is another step in WhatsApp’s wider push to become a platform for everyday tasks in India. People can already use the app for payments, mobile recharges, metro-related services and government services through chatbots. Meta has previously said WhatsApp is increasingly being used by Indians to interact with businesses and access essential services. For users, the biggest change is simple: a routine bill that once required another app can now be handled inside WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has launched Bill Payments in India, allowing users to pay electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit card and loan bills inside the app. Powered by Bharat Connect, the service covers 22,722 billers across 30 categories.

WhatsApp is making another major push into everyday payments in India. The messaging platform has launched Bill Payments, allowing users to find, manage and pay bills without leaving the app. The feature is powered by Bharat Connect, the bill payment network, and gives users access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit cards and loan repayments. Meta says the feature is being rolled out gradually across India and will reach both Android and iOS users over the coming weeks. What can you pay on WhatsApp? The new feature is designed to bring recurring household payments into one place. Users can pay electricity and water bills, gas bills, FASTag recharges, insurance payments, credit card bills and loan repayments, among other categories. It also goes beyond a one-time payment. WhatsApp will let users view past payments and upcoming bills. A biller that has been used before can appear in the Payments Home section, giving users quicker access the next time they need to pay. The platform also supports multiple accounts under one biller, which could be useful for people managing bills for their home, office or family. Bharat Connect is designed as an interoperable bill payment platform covering multiple bill categories and payment channels. How to pay bills on WhatsApp Using the feature is relatively simple: Open WhatsApp and tap the Rs icon at the top of the home screen. Select the bill category and biller. Enter and confirm your account details. Check the bill amount fetched by WhatsApp. Select a payment method. Confirm the payment. WhatsApp says users can pay using UPI, debit cards or credit cards. The company has already been expanding payments and everyday services in India. Earlier this year, it added prepaid mobile recharges through the ₹ icon, allowing users to recharge Jio, Airtel and Vi numbers without leaving WhatsApp. WhatsApp wants to become more than a messaging app The bill payment launch is another step in WhatsApp’s wider push to become a platform for everyday tasks in India. People can already use the app for payments, mobile recharges, metro-related services and government services through chatbots. Meta has previously said WhatsApp is increasingly being used by Indians to interact with businesses and access essential services. For users, the biggest change is simple: a routine bill that once required another app can now be handled inside WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has launched Bill Payments in India, allowing users to pay electricity, gas, water, FASTag, insurance, credit card and loan bills inside the app. Powered by Bharat Connect, the service covers 22,722 billers across 30 categories.

WhatsApp rolls out bill payments in India: You can now pay electricity, gas and more without leaving the app

Indian residents in Qatar can now send funds directly to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India through Qatar Post outlets, the Ministry of Communications said on Monday. According to an official statement by the ministry, the new Qatar-India remittance service based on PosTransfer powered by UPI enables customers in Qatar to initiate money transfers by visiting a Qatar Post outlet and providing the UPI ID of the recipient in India, along with the required customer identification details. The ministry said, "New digital postal remittance service enables fast, secure and convenient transfer of funds from Qatar to India". It also added that the recipient in India needs to activate the facility for receiving foreign inward remittances through the UPI app being used. Once activated, the remitted amount is credited instantly to the beneficiary's UPI-enabled bank account. The service became available in Qatar on August 15, 2026, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The Ministry said the service has been developed through a collaboration between Qatar Post, India Post, the Universal Postal Union's Interconnection Platform (UPU-IP), and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). The initiative combines the reach of postal networks with India's digital public infrastructure to provide an efficient and convenient channel for cross-border remittances, the Ministry said. Customers can initiate transactions ranging from QAR 10 to QAR 4,000, subject to a maximum equivalent of Rs 1,00,000 per transaction. A flat service charge of QAR 15 per transaction is applicable. The service is expected to be particularly significant for the large Indian community in Qatar, providing a channel to send money to families in India through the postal network. The Ministry said the service combines the accessibility of postal networks with UPI and contributes to greater financial inclusion and seamless digital financial connectivity between India and Qatar. The service was made available in Qatar on August 15. The Ministry said the engagement underscored the importance of the initiative in strengthening digital financial connectivity and bilateral cooperation between India and Qatar. The Qatar-India corridor also marks a step towards modernising international postal financial services, according to the Ministry. It said the integration of the UPU-IP with India's UPI ecosystem demonstrates the potential of postal networks and digital public infrastructure to facilitate inclusive, interoperable and efficient cross-border financial services. PosTransfer powered by UPI is an international inward remittance service enabled through the integration of the UPU-IP with India's UPI ecosystem. It allows participating postal operators to provide customers with a simple and secure mechanism to send remittances to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India. The Ministry said India Post is also working with postal operators in other countries to operationalise additional PosTransfer powered by UPI corridors. These efforts are aimed at further strengthening international financial connectivity for the Indian diaspora, while expanding the use of India's digital public infrastructure for cross-border remittances.&nbsp;

The initiative combines the reach of postal networks with India's digital public infrastructure to provide an efficient and convenient channel for cross-border remittances, the Ministry said.

Indian residents in Qatar can now send funds directly to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India through Qatar Post outlets, the Ministry of Communications said on Monday. According to an official statement by the ministry, the new Qatar-India remittance service based on PosTransfer powered by UPI enables customers in Qatar to initiate money transfers by visiting a Qatar Post outlet and providing the UPI ID of the recipient in India, along with the required customer identification details. The ministry said, "New digital postal remittance service enables fast, secure and convenient transfer of funds from Qatar to India". It also added that the recipient in India needs to activate the facility for receiving foreign inward remittances through the UPI app being used. Once activated, the remitted amount is credited instantly to the beneficiary's UPI-enabled bank account. The service became available in Qatar on August 15, 2026, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The Ministry said the service has been developed through a collaboration between Qatar Post, India Post, the Universal Postal Union's Interconnection Platform (UPU-IP), and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). The initiative combines the reach of postal networks with India's digital public infrastructure to provide an efficient and convenient channel for cross-border remittances, the Ministry said. Customers can initiate transactions ranging from QAR 10 to QAR 4,000, subject to a maximum equivalent of Rs 1,00,000 per transaction. A flat service charge of QAR 15 per transaction is applicable. The service is expected to be particularly significant for the large Indian community in Qatar, providing a channel to send money to families in India through the postal network. The Ministry said the service combines the accessibility of postal networks with UPI and contributes to greater financial inclusion and seamless digital financial connectivity between India and Qatar. The service was made available in Qatar on August 15. The Ministry said the engagement underscored the importance of the initiative in strengthening digital financial connectivity and bilateral cooperation between India and Qatar. The Qatar-India corridor also marks a step towards modernising international postal financial services, according to the Ministry. It said the integration of the UPU-IP with India's UPI ecosystem demonstrates the potential of postal networks and digital public infrastructure to facilitate inclusive, interoperable and efficient cross-border financial services. PosTransfer powered by UPI is an international inward remittance service enabled through the integration of the UPU-IP with India's UPI ecosystem. It allows participating postal operators to provide customers with a simple and secure mechanism to send remittances to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India. The Ministry said India Post is also working with postal operators in other countries to operationalise additional PosTransfer powered by UPI corridors. These efforts are aimed at further strengthening international financial connectivity for the Indian diaspora, while expanding the use of India's digital public infrastructure for cross-border remittances.

The initiative combines the reach of postal networks with India's digital public infrastructure to provide an efficient and convenient channel for cross-border remittances, the Ministry said.

Indians in Qatar can now send money to India via UPI – Here’s how

The Indian government on Saturday (August 08) clarified that users will not have to pay transaction charges for making payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). However, it opened the possibility of introducing a nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on a limited set of UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold.&nbsp;The Finance Ministry said any future MDR on UPI would not apply to all merchant transactions. It also said the rate would remain substantially lower than the charges applicable to debit and credit card payments.&nbsp;"As and when MDR charges are introduced, they will apply only to a limited set of merchant transactions, above a certain threshold, at a nominal rate, far lower than debit or credit card MDRs," the Finance Ministry said in a release.&nbsp;The ministry added that the "vast majority" of UPI transactions would continue to remain free for merchants. Any MDR, if introduced, would depend on a threshold and would not become a blanket charge.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-ukraine-is-targeting-wildberries-warehouses-across-russia-in-its-drone-campaign-1786196632826">Explained: Why Ukraine is targeting Wildberries warehouses across Russia in its drone campaign</a><h2>UPI users and person-to-person payments to remain free</h2>The clarification came in connection with the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill proposes changes to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.&nbsp;If Parliament passes the Bill, the "UPI and Services Steering Committee", headed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), will decide whether to introduce MDR and determine its framework, according to the ministry.&nbsp;The government stressed that the proposed amendment only creates an enabling provision and does not mean that charges will be imposed on ordinary UPI users.&nbsp;"UPI will remain free for citizens," the Ministry said, adding that all person-to-person transactions will also continue to remain free.&nbsp;The government said the rapid growth in UPI transactions requires continuous investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention and payment infrastructure.<h2>Govt cites need for sustainable UPI ecosystem</h2>The Finance Ministry also said the digital payments ecosystem needs a sustainable revenue framework to encourage more companies to expand their operations.&nbsp;"Reliance on subsidies alone is not viable for the next wave of growth. A balanced framework is required to ensure that UPI remains robust, inclusive, and future-ready," the Ministry said.&nbsp;The government said the proposed amendment forms part of its broader effort to make India's digital payment infrastructure sustainable and competitive. It also aims to ensure that the system can support the country's expanding digital economy.&nbsp;The ministry rejected reports claiming that external influences had prompted the proposed policy changes. It described such claims as "unfounded, completely false and misleading."&nbsp;According to ministry data, UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system. It processed 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.9 lakh crore in July 2026 alone. UPI is currently live in 11 foreign countries, while several other countries have also shown interest in the digital payment system.

The government clarified that UPI will remain free for users, while a nominal, threshold-based MDR could apply to a limited set of merchant transactions in the future.

The Indian government on Saturday (August 08) clarified that users will not have to pay transaction charges for making payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). However, it opened the possibility of introducing a nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on a limited set of UPI merchant transactions above a specified threshold. The Finance Ministry said any future MDR on UPI would not apply to all merchant transactions. It also said the rate would remain substantially lower than the charges applicable to debit and credit card payments. "As and when MDR charges are introduced, they will apply only to a limited set of merchant transactions, above a certain threshold, at a nominal rate, far lower than debit or credit card MDRs," the Finance Ministry said in a release. The ministry added that the "vast majority" of UPI transactions would continue to remain free for merchants. Any MDR, if introduced, would depend on a threshold and would not become a blanket charge. Also Read: Explained: Why Ukraine is targeting Wildberries warehouses across Russia in its drone campaign UPI users and person-to-person payments to remain free The clarification came in connection with the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill proposes changes to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. If Parliament passes the Bill, the "UPI and Services Steering Committee", headed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), will decide whether to introduce MDR and determine its framework, according to the ministry. The government stressed that the proposed amendment only creates an enabling provision and does not mean that charges will be imposed on ordinary UPI users. "UPI will remain free for citizens," the Ministry said, adding that all person-to-person transactions will also continue to remain free. The government said the rapid growth in UPI transactions requires continuous investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention and payment infrastructure. Govt cites need for sustainable UPI ecosystem The Finance Ministry also said the digital payments ecosystem needs a sustainable revenue framework to encourage more companies to expand their operations. "Reliance on subsidies alone is not viable for the next wave of growth. A balanced framework is required to ensure that UPI remains robust, inclusive, and future-ready," the Ministry said. The government said the proposed amendment forms part of its broader effort to make India's digital payment infrastructure sustainable and competitive. It also aims to ensure that the system can support the country's expanding digital economy. The ministry rejected reports claiming that external influences had prompted the proposed policy changes. It described such claims as "unfounded, completely false and misleading." According to ministry data, UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system. It processed 2,366 crore transactions worth ₹29.9 lakh crore in July 2026 alone. UPI is currently live in 11 foreign countries, while several other countries have also shown interest in the digital payment system.

The government clarified that UPI will remain free for users, while a nominal, threshold-based MDR could apply to a limited set of merchant transactions in the future.

No UPI fee for users, select merchant transactions may face charges: Govt

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (Aug 6) dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's claim that ordinary users could end up paying for UPI transactions. In a post on X, the Congress leader had claimed that with the Modi government's Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, "eliminates the statutory guarantee that had so far kept UPI transactions fee-free". He alleged that "The burden of this will ultimately fall on ordinary people, who may now have to pay even for using UPI".Replying to Ramesh's X post, Indian FM Sitharaman clarified that any Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), if introduced in the future, would be charged only to merchants and not to customers.The exchange comes amid a political debate over the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to give the Centre the legal authority to modify the existing zero-MDR framework for UPI and RuPay transactions.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/government-reveals-scale-of-bank-fraud-54-accused-fled-india-ed-launches-global-hunt-1785917330019">Government reveals scale of bank fraud: 54 accused fled India, ED launches global hunt</a><h2>Sitharaman: MDR is for merchants, not customers</h2>Responding to Jairam Ramesh on X, Sitharaman said his claim was misleading and urged him not to spread misinformation. "Before spreading a canard, @Jairam_Ramesh ji, please consider this: Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies only on the merchants and not on the end users/customers. It will support the Banks &amp; Fintech to invest more on infrastructure, innovation &amp; security. All users of UPI will reap the benefits of this investment," she wrote.The finance minister said the objective of MDR is to strengthen India's digital payments ecosystem by enabling banks and fintech companies to invest more in infrastructure, innovation and cybersecurity.<h2>No decision yet on imposing MDR</h2>Sitharaman also clarified that the government has not taken any decision to introduce an MDR on UPI transactions.She said the issue would be examined by the UPI and Services Steering Committee, headed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), only after Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.The proposed legislation authorises the Centre to specify which electronic payment modes or transactions will remain free of charge. According to the finance minister, any discussion on merchant fees will take place only after the Bill becomes law.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-can-t-bring-your-son-back-assam-cm-meets-family-of-boy-who-died-saving-pet-dog-from-floods-1785994667567">'I can't bring your son back': Assam CM meets family of boy who died saving pet dog from floods</a><h2>What did Jairam Ramesh say?</h2>Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh argued that even if the Merchant Discount Rate is levied on merchants, the cost would ultimately be passed on to consumers.He also rejected the government's position that introducing MDR is necessary to make the UPI ecosystem financially sustainable, describing the argument as "entirely wrong."Sitharaman, however, maintained that customers would not be required to pay the merchant fee.<h2>FM blames Opposition for delay in debate</h2>The finance minister also criticised the Opposition for repeated disruptions during the ongoing Monsoon Session, saying the proposed legislation could have been debated in Parliament had proceedings not been stalled. "Could have been discussed on the floor of the House if your party @INCIndia engages constructively in Parliament when the Bill was/is tabled. (LS/RS respectively)," she wrote.The Bill itself does not impose an MDR on UPI or RuPay transactions. Instead, it creates a legal framework that would allow the government to modify the current zero-MDR regime through a notification at a later stage.

Could your next UPI payment come with a fee? The claim has sparked a political showdown between the BJP and the opposition Congress party. Now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has finally broken her silence. Here' what she said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (Aug 6) dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's claim that ordinary users could end up paying for UPI transactions. In a post on X, the Congress leader had claimed that with the Modi government's Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, "eliminates the statutory guarantee that had so far kept UPI transactions fee-free". He alleged that "The burden of this will ultimately fall on ordinary people, who may now have to pay even for using UPI". Replying to Ramesh's X post, Indian FM Sitharaman clarified that any Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), if introduced in the future, would be charged only to merchants and not to customers. The exchange comes amid a political debate over the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to give the Centre the legal authority to modify the existing zero-MDR framework for UPI and RuPay transactions. Also read | Government reveals scale of bank fraud: 54 accused fled India, ED launches global hunt Sitharaman: MDR is for merchants, not customers Responding to Jairam Ramesh on X, Sitharaman said his claim was misleading and urged him not to spread misinformation. "Before spreading a canard, @Jairam_Ramesh ji, please consider this: Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies only on the merchants and not on the end users/customers. It will support the Banks & Fintech to invest more on infrastructure, innovation & security. All users of UPI will reap the benefits of this investment," she wrote. The finance minister said the objective of MDR is to strengthen India's digital payments ecosystem by enabling banks and fintech companies to invest more in infrastructure, innovation and cybersecurity. No decision yet on imposing MDR Sitharaman also clarified that the government has not taken any decision to introduce an MDR on UPI transactions. She said the issue would be examined by the UPI and Services Steering Committee, headed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), only after Parliament passes the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation authorises the Centre to specify which electronic payment modes or transactions will remain free of charge. According to the finance minister, any discussion on merchant fees will take place only after the Bill becomes law. Also read | 'I can't bring your son back': Assam CM meets family of boy who died saving pet dog from floods What did Jairam Ramesh say? Earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh argued that even if the Merchant Discount Rate is levied on merchants, the cost would ultimately be passed on to consumers. He also rejected the government's position that introducing MDR is necessary to make the UPI ecosystem financially sustainable, describing the argument as "entirely wrong." Sitharaman, however, maintained that customers would not be required to pay the merchant fee. FM blames Opposition for delay in debate The finance minister also criticised the Opposition for repeated disruptions during the ongoing Monsoon Session, saying the proposed legislation could have been debated in Parliament had proceedings not been stalled. "Could have been discussed on the floor of the House if your party @INCIndia engages constructively in Parliament when the Bill was/is tabled. (LS/RS respectively)," she wrote. The Bill itself does not impose an MDR on UPI or RuPay transactions. Instead, it creates a legal framework that would allow the government to modify the current zero-MDR regime through a notification at a later stage.

Could your next UPI payment come with a fee? The claim has sparked a political showdown between the BJP and the opposition Congress party. Now, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has finally broken her silence. Here' what she said.

Will ordinary Indian users have to pay for UPI? Nirmala Sitharaman breaks silence on Congress' MDR fee claim

India’s unified payments interface added another milestone to its name in November as it leads the country’s acceleration towards digital payments.


UPI Scales Another Milestone in November

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WhatsApp rolls out bill payments in India: You can now pay electricity, gas and more without leaving the app

Indians in Qatar can now send money to India via UPI – Here’s how

No UPI fee for users, select merchant transactions may face charges: Govt

Users to pay for UPI? Nirmala Sitharaman responds to Congress' MDR fee claim

UPI Scales Another Milestone in November