RBI Introduces New E-Mandate Framework For Safer, Seamless Autopay
The Reserve Bank of India has rolled out the Digital Payments – E-Mandate Framework, 2026 to make recurring digital transactions more seamless, secure and user-centric, while strengthening a consent-driven autopay ecosystem.
A key feature of the framework is the mandatory 24-hour pre-debit notification, requiring issuers to inform users in advance about transaction details such as merchant name, amount, timing, and purpose. This gives customers the opportunity to review or stop transactions before funds are deducted.
The new guidelines significantly enhance user control, allowing customers to modify, pause, or cancel mandates at any time. Users can also set limits on variable recurring payments and opt out of specific transactions or entire mandates.
To balance flexibility with security, all opt-out requests must be authenticated through an additional verification step, such as a one-time password (OTP), to prevent misuse.
The framework also aims to reduce friction in everyday payments by removing the need for repeated authentication for transactions up to Rs 15,000. For essential financial payments including insurance premiums, mutual fund investments and credit card bill payments, the threshold for transactions without additional authentication has been raised to Rs 1 lakh.
Overall, the move is designed to improve ease of use while maintaining robust safeguards, giving users greater control over their recurring digital payments.
