The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on June 05, 2026, issued the addendum to 'Mandatory Brand Guidelines for BHIM UPI Merchant QR (Quick Response).
The following has been stated:
• The addendum updates the branding and display requirements applicable to BHIM UPI Merchant QR codes. Its primary objective is to ensure uniform QR-code branding, improve customer recognition of BHIM-UPI acceptance points, and enhance trust and consistency across merchant locations. The circular supplements NPCI's existing BHIM-UPI brand guidelines rather than replacing them.
• Key changes include revised specifications for the display of the BHIM UPI logo, merchant QR standees and acceptance signage, ensuring that merchants, acquiring banks, payment service providers (PSPs), TPAPs and QR issuers follow a standardized design and branding format. The guidelines continue to require clear visibility of the BHIM UPI identity, proper placement of logos, and standardized QR presentation to improve customer experience and reduce confusion at merchant outlets.
• The addendum is binding on all entities issuing or deploying BHIM-UPI merchant QR codes. Banks, PSPs, TPAPs, payment aggregators, and merchant-acquiring partners are required to align newly issued QR codes and related marketing material with the updated branding specifications within the timelines prescribed by NPCI. Non-compliant QR materials may need to be replaced or modified to conform to the revised standards.
[Notification no. - NPCI/UPI/OC-100B/2026-27]
