The Supreme Court refused to stay the Centre’s decision to impose Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions above 2,000 rupees, with the charges set to take effect from the 15th of next month.

Hearing a plea challenging the imposition of MDR on UPI payments above 2,000 rupees, the apex court observed that the issue is less legal and more technical. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre and other respondents to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks.