August 6, 2025

The State Bank of India (SBI) has communicated to its customers about a scheduled maintenance event that will lead to a temporary halt in Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services. This will take place on August 6, 2025, specifically between 1:00 AM and 1:20 AM IST. Customers relying on UPI services during this time will be unable to complete transactions through the primary UPI channel. However, SBI has provided a workaround: customers can utilize UPI Lite for their payment needs during this interruption.

SBI took to social media platform X to issue a notice detailing the maintenance activity. The tweet 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.”

This notification is crucial for users dependent on UPI for their everyday transactions, such as shopping, bill payments, and online purchases. The integration of UPI Lite allows customers to manage low-value transactions efficiently even when the main UPI system is down, allowing for a seamless experience.

What is UPI Lite?
UPI Lite is a feature that enables users to make small-value payments without needing real-time bank processing. This functionality is particularly useful for low-ticket transactions like groceries, transport fares, and quick purchases like coffee or snacks. As of December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the per-transaction limit for UPI Lite from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, providing more flexibility for users. Additionally, the wallet limit for UPI Lite has been expanded from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, allowing for larger amounts to be transacted without immediate bank acknowledgment.

It’s important for users to treat their UPI Lite balance as cash. They must manage it responsibly as they will be accountable for the amount loaded in their Lite accounts. Moreover, if a user decides to switch mobile devices, they must disable their Lite account on the old device before activating a new Lite account on the new device to maintain security and functionality.

How to Enable UPI Lite in SBI
For those looking to activate UPI Lite on their SBI accounts, the process is straightforward. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Open your UPI app (such as Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm).
2. On the home screen, locate and click on the option to enable UPI Lite.
3. Read and accept the terms and conditions that pop up.
4. Enter the desired amount to add to your UPI Lite account and select the SBI bank account linked to it.
5. Enter your UPI PIN to confirm activation.

Once completed, UPI Lite will be successfully enabled.

Benefits of Using UPI Lite
The advantages of using UPI Lite are compelling. It offers round-the-clock availability for transactions, making it highly convenient for small payments without needing to continuously enter UPI pin codes in crowded environments. This feature enhances small-value payment management and is easier to monitor, helping customers keep track of their spending with daily limits. Single-click payments simplify the transaction process, thereby improving the overall user experience.

Additionally, customers can easily top up their UPI Lite accounts at any time. The UPI app offers clear options for adding funds to active UPI Lite accounts, ensuring users have the resources ready for transactions as needed.

SBI encourages customers to take advantage of UPI Lite during the scheduled maintenance on August 6, 2025, to avoid any interruptions in their digital payment activities. While the 20-minute disruption may be inconvenient, the alternative provided by UPI Lite minimizes the impact on daily transactions, allowing customers to continue with smaller transactions effortlessly. This blend of service availability and proactive communication underscores the bank's commitment to customer satisfaction amidst necessary maintenance operations.

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Tags: State bank of india, Upi, Upi lite, Scheduled maintenance, Digital payments,