Aware of this mandate? The RBI has new guidelines for your credit card bills. Now, these bills will be fetched via BBPS and UPMS. It’s a central system or control centre for all bills in India. This way, whenever you get a credit card bill, instead of wandering through a jungle of banking apps and payment portals, your bill will now be fetched through BBPS and UPMS. Yes, the RBI just made paying your credit card bill about as breezy as ordering more samosas online. So, less hunting, less waiting, and zero lost in transit payments.
This new mandate includes all credit card bill payments to be routed through the Bharat Bill Payment System or BBPS and Unified Presentment Management System or UPMS. If you are wondering why we need it, then you must know a few facts. The update means heightened security and smooth automation. Earlier, our payment system used to be fragmented, but now all your bill payments will be unified. Ease for consumers as well as banks, isn’t it?
Corporate Soldiers are here with all the information you need on this mandate!
What is This New Mandate?
The RBI wants to standardize the process for credit card payments. This will improve transparency and security across credit card payments. The centralized system BBPS, is operated by NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd., which connects banks, payment apps, and billers under a single umbrella. On the other hand, UPMS is an end-to-end mandate management system that complements BBPS. It handles all the recurring bills, manages auto-reminders, and auto-payment registrations. This way, no bill will be lost in the process, and all data remains safe.
BBPS + UPMS Credit Card Bill Flow
- The credit card issuer generates the bill.
- Bill is fetched to BBPS via UPMS, according to the scheduled billing cycle.
- BBPS shares bill details with chosen payment apps.
- Apps send user reminders and payment options or alternatives in real-time.
- User pays via app, net banking, wallet, ATM and so on.
- BBPS settles payment instantly.
- It notifies all other apps or platforms of ‘Skip Notification’ to prevent duplicate payments.
- User receives confirmation and bank processes settlement.
- In case of a dispute or query, it will be handled via the centralized BBPS system.
What Does it Mean For The Cardholders?
The way to pay stays the same, be it auto-debit, payments done via mobile app, or net banking. It’s just that every payment is now quietly double-checked and processed through BBPS in the background. This gives you a highly secure, reliable, fraud-proof system. Paying your credit card bills is now as simple as sending a WhatsApp message, with RBI keeping an eagle eye on every step, so payments arrive safely, securely, and with minimum fuss.
The Reason Behind The Mandate
BBPS includes everyone when it comes to credit card bills, such as banks, and even apps like PhonePe, and Cred and even net banking. Therefore, no matter where you pay, it goes smoothly through one secure channel. This secure channel is overseen by RBI, so it’s safer and smarter. In case your payment ever gets stuck, BBPS can track it down faster than ever.
This is the main reason behind the RBI’s mandate to route all credit card bill payments through the BBPS. The process is to centralize, secure, and standardize a fragmented payment system. Every credit card transaction will now be under a single, RBI-monitored network. This is an important move that will sharply reduce the risks of fraud and errors. Also, this process will simplify the dispute resolution. Improved transparency, faster settlements, and a smoother customer experience.
Simple & Safer Process
For consumers, the change is smoother than you can imagine, in fact, it feels almost invisible. Whether you are paying via net banking, mobile app, or auto-debit, the front-end flow remains familiar. The real transformation occurs backstage. This means every credit card payment, across all banks, now goes through BBPS (safe under the RBI’s gaze).
| Aspect | What to do? |
| How to Pay? | Log in to your app, select Bharat BillPay and pay |
| Auto Payment Setup | Automatic monthly payment |
| If Payment Fails | Automated refunds |
| For Large Payments | Check your bank’s or app’s transaction limits |
This will drastically reduce the chance of fraud, smooth out the settlements, and centralize all kinds of grievance redressal. Hence, it makes complaints and queries easier to resolve!
It’s Mandatory For All The Banks and Fintechs
Your bank should integrate with BBPS. From all major banks to minor ones and fintech must integrate the new system. However, major banks, such as HDFC, Axis, and Yes Bank, are still in the integration process. Also, all the payment apps like PhonePe, Amazon Pay, and Cred must now adapt to the BBPS. The RBI is refusing to grant extensions to banks and fintech companies. This shows how RBI is firm about nationwide uniformity in a timely manner.
New Mandate vs Old System
| Feature | BBPS+UPMS | Old System |
| Integration | One Channel, Multiple Banks | Integration is separate for each app/bank |
| Payment Confirmation | Instant and standardized | Delayed |
| Reminders | Structured and real-time | SMS, email, manual follow-ups |
| Security | RBI-monitored and centralized | Varies by platform |
| Dispute Resolution | Quick and standardized | Inconsistent and fragmented |
| Coverage | Covers all major and growing banks | Separated for banks and apps |
| Proof of Payment | System-generated and immediate | Depends on channel |
| Payment Modes | Net banking, wallets, apps, ATM | Apps, net banking, bank branches |
| Duplicate Payments | Skip notifications to prevent it | Often occurs, requires manual checks |
Automation is Here!
Smart automation is changing everything, and scattered credit card bill payment channels are winding down. They are being replaced by a unified interface and smart backend surveillance. It’s time to prevent fraud through this secure system. Till the next update, Corporate Soldiers signs out!
