New RBI guideline on E-mandate

On 1st October 2021, RBI’s regulations on e-mandates or recurring payments via cards to strengthen the safety of card transaction became effective.

As per regulatory guidelines on ‘Processing of e-mandate on cards for recurring transactions’, several requirements are mandated for processing recurring transactions registered on Debit & Credit Cards.

Under these guidelines, customers can schedule automated debits up to INR 15,000 without the need for AFA. Moreover, any monthly subscriptions exceeding INR 15000 have to be cleared through an additional factor of authentication (AFA). Please note that the existing / new Standing Instructions which were registered without additional factor of authentication are not being processed from 25th September, 2021.

As per the regulatory requirements, some of the key security & safety measures are as listed below:

  • Mandate registration, modification, deletion now requires additional factor authentication (AFA)
  • Customers will get a pre-debit (SMS/Email) notification 24 hours prior to the debit
  • Customers can opt out of the transaction or the mandate via link provided in the pre-debit notification
  • Customers have the facility to view / modify / cancel any standing instructions set on their card
  • Customers can set maximum amount for each SI. If the transaction amount is greater than the maximum amount assigned by customer, the pre-debit notification will have a link for the customer to authenticate the transactions with AFA. Without this authentication, the transaction will not be processed.
  • Any recurring transaction of amount greater than INR 15000 requires AFA each time the amount is debited.
  • For the following categories: (a) subscription to mutual funds, (b) payment of insurance premiums, and (c) credit card bill payments, any recurring transaction will require AFA for amount greater than INR 1,00,000.

The list of merchants compliant with regulations and live on Axis Bank Credit/Debit cards are:

NETFLIXPolicy Bazaarcharge-te
Google PlaySpotify Naukri.com
AmazonZoom7 Dots Smart Solutions
HOTSTARHDFC Life InsuranceICICI Prudential Life Insurance
YoutubeZOBAZE TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITEDBharat Matrimony
FacebookBAJAJ ALLIANZMoneycontrol
LinkedInMCAFEEGODADDY INDIA
Amazon Seller Services PL1K FOUNDERSMAXBUPA2
Google Play - Content Purchase ServicesMicrosoft Corporation (India)BENNETT COLEMAN AND CO LTD
Google Play - App Purchase ServicesViacom 18 MediaNiva Bupa
Microsoft BusinessesSony Pictures networksNorton
21CC Recruitment And Training4omnis EntertainmentsUdemy India Llp
Zee EntertainmentDiscoveryAirtel
Google WorkspaceOpenAILLC4pro Consulting Llp
Microsoft Regional Sales56 AI Technologies Google Ads
Bajaj Allianz InsuranceAcko General Insurance LimitedLionsgateplay
Adobe Systems Software Ireland LtdGaanaMidjourneyInc
SONYLIVGoogle CloudsTwitterInc
MAX LIFEWixComIndiaHDFC ERGO General Insurance
5Paisa capital ltdShemaroo Entertainment LimitedTimes Prime

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Axis Bank deactivating / declining my Standing Instructions (SI)?

As per regulatory guidelines on 'Processing of e-mandate on cards for recurring transactions’, effective 1st October 2021, several requirements are mandated for processing recurring transactions registered on Debit & Credit Cards . In line with the requirement of the guidelines, existing / new Standing Instructions which were registered without additional factor of authentication are not being processed from 25th September, 2021.

How can I opt out of the mandate?

You may opt out of the transaction or the mandate via link provided in the pre-debit notification.

Which Standing Instructions will be declined?

All Standing Instructions set up on your Credit Card and Debit Card (both domestic and international) will not be processed, without additional factor of authentication.

How do I know if my existing Standing Instructions are compliant?

You may check existing Standing Instructions against your card here or here. Registrations appearing here are compliant with the regulations, and hence will be processed. You may also modify or cancel existing registrations in the same portal.

My Standing Instruction is not in the above list. How do I make payments to existing merchants with SI? Will my services be declined if the SI is not paid from my card?

For uninterrupted services, kindly make the payment directly on the service provider apps or merchants, as per the billing frequency.

How do I register for my Standing Instructions again?

You may check with the merchant / service providers where Standing Instruction was registered earlier. Merchants / service providers, who are compliant with the regulations are allowing new registrations for Standing Instructions. The list of compliant merchants are shared at the end of the document.

How do I view/ modify or cancel any Standing Instructions on my card?

Customers have the facility to view / modify / cancel any standing instructions set on their card by visiting https://www.sihub.in/managesi/axisbank (SIHUB) or https://axis.mandatehq.com (Mandate HQ).

Following are the steps to sign-up successfully on SIHUB portal:

  • Upon landing on https://www.sihub.in/managesi/axisbank, click on Sign-up
  • Enter details Name, Email ID, Password, Confirm Password and click on Submit (please note: the Email ID entered by the customer will be the UserID going forward)
  • Next enter the verification code sent on the Email ID, and click Submit
  • Upon successful verification, “Add Your Card” screen comes up. Enter your Card No and proceed for ACS authentication (please note: “Invalid details” error will be shown to the customer in case there are no e-Mandates registered on the card and the authentication would fail)
  • Upon successful authentication, “Registration Successful” will be displayed on the screen. Post registration, customer can cancel or modify the mandate.

Following are the steps to sign-up successfully on Mandate HQ portal:

  • Upon landing on https://axis.mandatehq.com, enter your complete card number
  • Upon landing on https://axis.mandatehq.com, enter your complete card number
  • An OTP will be sent on your Registered Mobile Number
  • Post successful OTP authentication, you will be able to see list of mandate registrations done on the card
  • Click on the mandate to cancel or modify the mandate
My merchant is not taking AFA for new registrations. What will happen to my Standing Instructions?

Axis Bank will not process any Standing Instructions registered without AFA. If your merchant is not taking AFA for new registrations, same will be declined by Axis Bank.

Will the SI registered on my bank account(s) also be deactivated?

No, only Standing Instructions registered on Debit Cards and Credit Cards will be deactivated.
E.g. SI given on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Insurance payments will get deactivated. However, SI registered using bank accounts for Mutual Funds, SIPs, EMIs will continue.

Will I be charged by the biller / merchant if Standing instructions are declined?

There are no charges applicable, however, it may have an impact on the services you have registered for.

In case of any further concerns, please contact any of our customer care as listed below:

  • For Retail Banking segment, call on 1860 419 5555 / 1860 500 5555
  • For LIC segment, call on 1800 419 0064
  • For Burgundy segment, call on the exclusive Toll-free number 1800 419 0065
  • For NR segment, please click here
  • Alternatively, you may also check the details on www.axisbank.com