RBI suggests one hour delay for UPI, IMPS transfers exceeding Rs 10,000

To strengthen safeguards against rising digital fraud, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may introduce a one-hour waiting time for some digital payments.

According to a discussion paper released recently, RBI has suggested a mandatory delay of upto one hour for fund transfers above Rs 10,000 via UPI and IMPS. The measure would primarily apply to person-to-person (P2P) transactions. Payments made to verified merchants are expected to remain unaffected.  

The central bank has also proposed to introduce a whitelisting feature that allows users to mark trusted beneficiaries. Transactions made to trusted beneficiaries would not be subject to the cooling period, thereby balancing security with user convenience.

This proposal aims to curb digital payment fraud driven by social engineering tactics that pressure users into making instant transfers. As UPI and IMPS offer real-time transaction feature, recovering funds post-transaction remains a challenge for both users and financial institutions.                

Additionally, the central bank is exploring enhanced protections for vulnerable users, which include senior citizens, as part of the broader framework.

As per the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the number of cases regarding digital payment fraud has increased 10 times over the past four years. The total value of such frauds also jumped sharply to Rs 22,931 crore in 2025 from Rs 551 crore in 2021.

The proposal is currently open for feedback, with responses invited till early May. If implemented, it could signal a shift in India’s digital payments ecosystem from speed-first to a more security-focused approach.