What Are UPI “Collect Requests” — and Why They Matter
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) supports two main flows: a “push” transaction (you send money) and a “collect request” or “pull” transaction (someone requests money from you and you approve it). The collect request feature made it convenient to split bills or remind someone to pay back. Upi Collect Request Basics
However, over time, fraudsters abused this by sending fake collect requests disguised as refunds or legitimate payments. The user approves thinking they are receiving money — but ends up sending it instead. Because of this abuse, the regulator stepped in with stronger risk rules.
Insight: When someone else initiates the payment request, the control shifts away from you — that’s where the fraud risk lies.What the New Risk Rules Change — From 1 October 2025
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) issued a circular on 29 July 2025 directing all banks, Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and UPI apps to stop initiation, routing or processing of person-to-person (P2P) collect transactions from 1 October 2025. Upi Risk Framework 2025
Here are the key changes:
- The collect request feature will no longer be available for user-to-user (“friend/family”) flows.
- Push transactions (you initiate payment) remain fully allowed.
- Merchant collect requests (business cases) will continue under different rules — the change is only for P2P.
- Previously there were caps (₹2,000 per transaction, max 50 successful collect requests per day) for P2P collect. These are now removed via this full ban.
The new rule strengthens user control: instead of responding to someone requesting money, you now decide when to send money. This reduces the chances of accidental approvals or falling for a fake request.
Tip: From October, if a UPI app shows a “Request Money” option to a friend/peer, that mode will phase out — you’ll need to use “Send Money” instead.Impact on Users: What You Can and Can’t Do
Here’s how your day-to-day UPI use will change:
- What you CAN still do: Send money by scanning a QR code, entering UPI ID, or using your bank’s app — the normal push modes remain.
- What you CAN’T do (for peer to peer): You will no longer be able to send a collect request to a friend or peer asking them to pay; your friend must initiate the push instead.
- For merchants/businesses: Payment requests (collect) will continue if they are genuine merchant flows — rules differ here.
So if you were used to sending “Hey, face-scan this collect request to settle the lunch bill” — you’ll need to switch to sending a request via message and ask your friend to initiate the payment from their side now.
This may feel like a step back in convenience — but the regulator sees it as a guardrail to reduce fraud in the UPI ecosystem.
How to Stay Safe Amid the Change
Even with the rule change, staying alert is key. Upi User Safety Checklist
Here are some proactive steps:
- Always verify the recipient details (name, UPI ID) before sending money — even if they initiated it.
- Never approve a payment request you didn’t initiate — push payments give you full control.
- Use secure methods: your friend sending YOU their QR code to scan is safer than you clicking on a request link or approving unknown request.
- Be cautious about messages or chats prompting you to accept a collect request, especially if it claims “you will receive money” but then you end up paying.
- Keep your UPI app updated — banks and apps will enforce the new rule from October 1 and old flows may stop working unpredictably.
With the ban on P2P collect requests, UPI becomes strictly payer-initiated for person to person flows. That means the money you send is always the payment you chose — rather than a request you approved. That one shift can save many users from scam traps.
Final thought: The regulator is favouring user control over convenience in this case — small change, but a big step toward safer UPI payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is changing with UPI collect requests?
From 1 October 2025, P2P “collect request” (pull) transactions will be discontinued on UPI. You will no longer be able to request money from friends via collect; all peer-to-peer payments must be initiated by the payer (push).
2. Will push payments still work as before?
Yes — push payments (you send money to someone by scanning QR or entering UPI ID) continue unaffected.
3. Does this ban affect merchant payment requests?
No. Merchant or business collect requests (for goods/services) remain allowed under appropriate rules. The ban is only for person-to-person flows.
4. Why did NPCI impose this change?
Because collect requests for P2P were being misused by fraudsters who trick users into approving payments they didn’t intend. The regulator sees removing that flow as a key fraud-prevention move.
5. What should I do if I still receive a collect request from a friend after Oct 1 2025?
Your UPI app should no longer allow you to approve it — the request may fail or be blocked. Instead ask your friend to initiate a push payment. Always verify recipient details and never approve unknown requests.