SBI To Suspend UPI Services Temporarily On August 6: Check Alternative Way For Transactions
SBI will suspend its UPI services for 20 minutes for maintenance work, but users can still make small-value transactions through UPI Lite.
The State Bank of India (SBI) has said that its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services will temporarily remain suspended for maintenance work on Wednesday, Aug 6. Customers have been assured by the bank that options such as UPI Lite will continue to function during this period.
The UPI services will not be available from 1 a.m. to 1:20 a.m. for regular system maintenance.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), SBI stated, “Due to scheduled maintenance activity, SBI UPI services will be temporarily unavailable from 01:00 hrs to 01:20 hrs on 06.08.2025 (IST). Customers may continue to use UPI Lite Services for uninterrupted service. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers.”
UPI Lite: What You Need To Know
The bank informed that the UPI Lite services will operate uninterrupted, allowing customers to make routine transactions. UPI Lite is suitable for small transactions like buying groceries, paying for public transport, or ordering a cup of tea. Since it doesn't involve real-time banking interactions, it provides quicker transactions, especially in locations with poor connectivity.
It is possible for users to make one-click payments without the need for a UPI PIN, making it quick and convenient for low-ticket transactions. It even enables users to top up their balance in advance and control their daily spending more effectively.
ALSO READ
Major Financial Changes From August 1: Credit Card Rules To UPI Transactions, Key Details Here
Recent Improvements To UPI Lite
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) updated UPI Lite transaction limits in December 2024, raising the per-transaction limit from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and the wallet limit from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. However, users must keep in mind that the UPI Lite balance acts like cash. If you replace your mobile phone, you need to deactivate the Lite account on the previous phone before activating it on the new phone to prevent security concerns.
Enable UPI Lite
To enable UPI Lite on your SBI-linked UPI app (like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm), just do the following:
Open your preferred UPI app.
On the main screen, search for the setting to activate UPI Lite and tap on it.
Accept the terms and conditions as requested.
Enter the amount you want to add and choose your SBI bank account.
Enter your UPI PIN to authenticate.
UPI Lite is now activated and ready to use.
Though the scheduled outage is short and at off-peak hours, it is always best to plan ahead of time if you think you may have to make digital payments within that time frame.
