CAIT Debunks "No UPI Day" Claims
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has unequivocally refuted circulating reports of a nationwide "No UPI Day" scheduled for October 2. The apex traders' body labeled these viral social media claims as "completely misleading and false," urging the public to rely solely on official communications.
Misinformation Spreads on Social Media
Reports had gained traction across various social media platforms, suggesting that CAIT had called for a boycott of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions on Gandhi Jayanti. In response, CAIT issued a "FAKE NEWS ALERT" via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 26, 2026, clarifying its official position.
"There have been reports circulating on social media suggesting that CAIT has called for a nationwide 'No UPI Day' on 2nd October. We want to clarify that these reports are completely misleading and false. CAIT has not given any such call," the organization stated.
Official Clarification from CAIT
In a media clarification released on September 25, CAIT emphasized that it had taken "serious note" of the misinformation. The body explicitly stated that "no decision, resolution or official announcement has been made by the organisation regarding any ‘No UPI Day’ observance on 2nd October." It further cautioned that any communication attributing such a call to CAIT is "factually wrong and appears to be based on misinformation or misinterpretation."
Context: MDR Row and Regional Protests
The confusion arises amidst growing opposition from traders regarding the government's decision to implement a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on specified person-to-merchant UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000, effective from October 15. While some regional trade associations have independently announced protests or initiatives, including potential cash-only drives, CAIT stressed that such actions "are entirely their own decisions and must not be linked with or attributed to CAIT in any manner."
For now, UPI services are expected to operate normally on October 2. Users are advised to exercise caution and verify information from official sources before believing unverified social media forwards.