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RBI New Rules: For anyone using auto-pay for SIPs, insurance premiums, or credit card bills, there is an important update from the Reserve Bank of India. The regulator has issued consolidated directions under the Digital Payments E-mandate Framework, 2026. These new rules do not overhaul the system but refine existing norms to reduce friction for users. 

The changes are effective immediately and aim to make recurring digital payments smoother, safer, and more user-friendly without adding extra costs or complicated steps.

What Happens To Auto-Debits When Your Card Is Reissued?

One of the biggest changes addresses a common problem users faced earlier. Previously, auto-debits were tied to a specific card’s details, like the 16-digit number, expiry date, and CVV. If your debit or credit card was replaced due to expiry, loss, fraud, or an upgrade, all standing instructions would stop working.

Under the new framework, issuers can now map existing e-mandates to the newly issued card. This means your SIPs, subscription payments, or bill auto-debits will continue without interruption. 

Users no longer need to re-register mandates every time a card is replaced, which removes a major inconvenience.

Are There Charges Or Limits On Auto-Debit Payments Now?

The RBI has made it clear that no charges can be levied for using the e-mandate facility. This ensures customers will not see any convenience or processing fees simply for enabling auto-pay.

On transaction limits, payments up to Rs 15,000 can go through without additional authentication. For amounts above this, users must approve the transaction using OTP or AFA. 

However, for categories like insurance, mutual funds, and credit card bill payments, the limit without OTP is higher, going up to Rs 1 lakh per transaction.

The framework also strengthens grievance handling. Banks must clearly mention complaint mechanisms in alerts and ensure proper dispute resolution systems, extending protection against unauthorised transactions to recurring payments as well.