Can merchants store card numbers in India?
No. Since the RBI deadline of September 30, 2022, merchants and gateways cannot store card data and must use card-on-file tokens issued through the card networks and banks. Recurring card payments also require e-mandates.
In detail
No. Since the RBI deadline of September 30, 2022, merchants and gateways cannot store card data and must use card-on-file tokens issued through the card networks and banks. Recurring card payments also require e-mandates.
How people pay in India in 2026
India had 124 million credit cards and more than one billion debit cards outstanding in August 2026, and credit cards made 632 million payments that month. Online, merchants also offer net banking, wallets and cash on delivery, which remains common outside large cities. NPCI planned a 0.4% merchant fee, capped at Rs 300, on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 from October 15, 2026, but deferred it until after Diwali; by late October 2026, NPCI had not yet announced the new date. For PSPs and merchants, India is a UPI-first market with a long card and cash tail.
Payment by card in India
Online card payments follow strict local rules. Since October 2022, merchants and gateways cannot store card numbers and must use card-on-file tokens, after the RBI extended the deadline to September 30, 2022. Recurring card payments need e-mandates with an extra factor of authentication.
More detail in our #PayWorldTour guide Payment methods in India.