The Silent Cost of 'Set and Forget'
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionised how we handle money, and its AutoPay feature is a prime example of convenience. From streaming services and digital news subscriptions to mobile recharges and investment SIPs, setting up recurring payments
takes just a few taps. The problem arises from this same simplicity. It's incredibly easy to sign up for a free trial or a new service, approve a mandate, and then completely forget about it. These small, recurring debits—often called 'subscription creep'—can go unnoticed. An amount like ₹199 or ₹499 might not trigger an alarm, but several such payments each month add up, silently leaking funds from your bank account for services you may no longer use.
What Exactly Is a UPI Mandate?
Think of a UPI mandate, or UPI AutoPay, as a pre-approved standing instruction you give to your bank through a UPI app. When you subscribe to a service, you authorise the merchant to pull a specific amount of money from your account at a regular frequency (like weekly, monthly, or yearly). This instruction is authorised once with your UPI PIN. After that, the debits happen automatically without needing your approval for each transaction. Crucially, this mandate is registered with your bank and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), not just inside the app you used. This is why simply deleting an app from your phone will not cancel an active mandate.
How to Find Your Active Mandates
Finding these hidden costs is easier than you think. You need to check every UPI app you use, as they typically only show mandates created within that specific app. While the exact menu names can vary slightly, the process is generally similar. For Google Pay: Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner. Select 'Autopay'. You will see a list of all your 'Live' and completed mandates. For PhonePe: Tap your profile icon in the top-left. Go to 'Payment Settings' and then select 'AutoPay'. Here you can view all active and paused mandates. For Paytm: Use the search bar at the top and type "UPI Automatic Payments" or "AutoPay". Alternatively, go to your profile, select 'UPI & Payment Settings', and then 'UPI Automatic Payments' to see your list. For a comprehensive view across all apps, you can also use the official NPCI portal (upihelp.npci.org.in), log in with your mobile number, and navigate to the 'My Mandates' tab.
The Simple Steps to Review and Revoke
Once you have the list of active mandates, it's time for a quick financial health check. For each active payment, ask yourself a simple question: "Am I still using and getting value from this service?" If the answer is no, it's time to cancel. The process to revoke a mandate is straightforward. Select the mandate you want to stop, and look for an option like 'Cancel', 'Revoke', or 'Stop AutoPay'. The app will ask you to confirm your decision, and in most cases, you will need to enter your UPI PIN to authorise the cancellation. The status of the mandate should immediately change to 'Cancelled' or 'Revoked'. As a best practice, it's also wise to cancel the subscription directly on the merchant's website or app to ensure they stop attempting to charge you.
From a One-Time Fix to a Regular Habit
Finding and cancelling one or two forgotten subscriptions can feel like finding free money. But the real benefit comes from turning this into a routine. Just as you might check your account balance or credit card statement, make it a habit to review your UPI mandates once every quarter. This simple, five-minute check ensures that no new forgotten subscriptions are draining your finances. It transforms you from a passive participant into an active manager of your digital spending. Regular reviews prevent 'subscription creep', help you budget more effectively, and give you complete peace of mind, knowing that your money is only going towards services you genuinely value.
