Merchant categories
merchant categories
merchant categories: 4 billion in August 2026
4 billion
Data through
Largest reported category: Groceries & supermarkets.
Terms in this reading
- UPI
- The Unified Payments Interface, India’s shared network for instant payments between bank accounts. Definition and conventions
- MCC
- A merchant category code, the four-digit code used to group merchants by their main business. It classifies the merchant, not every item bought. Definition and conventions
Notes
The table retains the source’s published periods. Missing observations are not zero and have not been interpolated.
Merchant category comparisons use matching category codes and reported comparison months, not an interpolated continuous history.
Publication cadence: Monthly. Missing observations are not zero.
Current merchant categories
| Name | Transactions | Value moved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 4 billion | ₹868.82 billion (≈ ₹86,882 crore) · $9.02 billion |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.52 billion | ₹185.07 billion (≈ ₹18,507 crore) · $1.92 billion |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.3 billion | ₹226.63 billion (≈ ₹22,663 crore) · $2.35 billion |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 817.79 million | ₹232.62 billion (≈ ₹23,262 crore) · $2.42 billion |
| Service stations | 5541 | 772.9 million | ₹441.93 billion (≈ ₹44,193 crore) · $4.59 billion |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 515.4 million | ₹72.31 billion (≈ ₹7,231 crore) · $751 million |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 470.47 million | ₹30.58 billion (≈ ₹3,058 crore) · $317 million |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 335.88 million | ₹138.66 billion (≈ ₹13,866 crore) · $1.44 billion |
| Dairies | 5451 | 298.19 million | ₹65.26 billion (≈ ₹6,526 crore) · $678 million |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 249.21 million | ₹24.89 billion (≈ ₹2,489 crore) · $258 million |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 214.98 million | ₹739.83 billion (≈ ₹73,983 crore) · $7.68 billion |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 214.96 million | ₹88.81 billion (≈ ₹8,881 crore) · $922 million |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 185.96 million | ₹99.61 billion (≈ ₹9,961 crore) · $1.03 billion |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 152.58 million | ₹110.32 billion (≈ ₹11,032 crore) · $1.15 billion |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 149.57 million | ₹246.36 billion (≈ ₹24,636 crore) · $2.56 billion |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 136.29 million | ₹28.17 billion (≈ ₹2,817 crore) · $292 million |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 121.51 million | ₹42.17 billion (≈ ₹4,217 crore) · $438 million |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 108.6 million | ₹43.68 billion (≈ ₹4,368 crore) · $454 million |
| Family clothing shops | 5651 | 98.45 million | ₹87.24 billion (≈ ₹8,724 crore) · $906 million |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 94.03 million | ₹26.35 billion (≈ ₹2,635 crore) · $274 million |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 93.02 million | ₹36.9 billion (≈ ₹3,690 crore) · $383 million |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 92.72 million | ₹110.85 billion (≈ ₹11,085 crore) · $1.15 billion |
| Digital goods: media, books, movies, music | 5815 | 91.03 million | ₹20.72 billion (≈ ₹2,072 crore) · $215 million |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 87.64 million | ₹24.32 billion (≈ ₹2,432 crore) · $252 million |
| Department stores | 5311 | 84.8 million | ₹51.91 billion (≈ ₹5,191 crore) · $539 million |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 84.12 million | ₹636.67 billion (≈ ₹63,667 crore) · $6.61 billion |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 82.86 million | ₹12.05 billion (≈ ₹1,205 crore) · $125 million |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 82.18 million | ₹111.13 billion (≈ ₹11,113 crore) · $1.15 billion |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 79.04 million | ₹73.39 billion (≈ ₹7,339 crore) · $762 million |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant categories, July 2026
| Name | Transactions | Value moved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 3.85 billion | ₹821.45 billion (≈ ₹82,145 crore) · $8.53 billion |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.48 billion | ₹175.62 billion (≈ ₹17,562 crore) · $1.82 billion |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.27 billion | ₹217.42 billion (≈ ₹21,742 crore) · $2.26 billion |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 837.7 million | ₹236.41 billion (≈ ₹23,641 crore) · $2.45 billion |
| Service stations | 5541 | 742.84 million | ₹450.58 billion (≈ ₹45,058 crore) · $4.68 billion |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 475.84 million | ₹62.83 billion (≈ ₹6,283 crore) · $652 million |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 443.76 million | ₹28.94 billion (≈ ₹2,894 crore) · $300 million |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 311.94 million | ₹131.57 billion (≈ ₹13,157 crore) · $1.37 billion |
| Dairies | 5451 | 277.52 million | ₹60.24 billion (≈ ₹6,024 crore) · $625 million |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 242.5 million | ₹24.65 billion (≈ ₹2,465 crore) · $256 million |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 219.97 million | ₹90.94 billion (≈ ₹9,094 crore) · $944 million |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 207.99 million | ₹707.18 billion (≈ ₹70,718 crore) · $7.34 billion |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 180.72 million | ₹102.24 billion (≈ ₹10,224 crore) · $1.06 billion |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 154.23 million | ₹123.47 billion (≈ ₹12,347 crore) · $1.28 billion |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 146.3 million | ₹253.41 billion (≈ ₹25,341 crore) · $2.63 billion |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 137.37 million | ₹47.92 billion (≈ ₹4,792 crore) · $497 million |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 117.51 million | ₹24.04 billion (≈ ₹2,404 crore) · $250 million |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 105.72 million | ₹110.63 billion (≈ ₹11,063 crore) · $1.15 billion |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 94.63 million | ₹39.04 billion (≈ ₹3,904 crore) · $405 million |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 93.43 million | ₹37.3 billion (≈ ₹3,730 crore) · $387 million |
| Digital goods: media, books, movies, music | 5815 | 91.36 million | ₹19.74 billion (≈ ₹1,974 crore) · $205 million |
| Department stores | 5311 | 88.25 million | ₹53.8 billion (≈ ₹5,380 crore) · $559 million |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 88.12 million | ₹24.6 billion (≈ ₹2,460 crore) · $255 million |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 86.05 million | ₹24.72 billion (≈ ₹2,472 crore) · $257 million |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 82.8 million | ₹113.22 billion (≈ ₹11,322 crore) · $1.18 billion |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 82.72 million | ₹737.52 billion (≈ ₹73,752 crore) · $7.66 billion |
| Family clothing shops | 5651 | 80.24 million | ₹67.9 billion (≈ ₹6,790 crore) · $705 million |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 79.65 million | ₹11.97 billion (≈ ₹1,197 crore) · $124 million |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 69.58 million | ₹62.2 billion (≈ ₹6,220 crore) · $646 million |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant categories, February 2026
| Name | Transactions | Value moved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 3.28 billion | ₹741.28 billion (≈ ₹74,128 crore) · $7.7 billion |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.38 billion | ₹156.4 billion (≈ ₹15,640 crore) · $1.62 billion |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.17 billion | ₹190.71 billion (≈ ₹19,071 crore) · $1.98 billion |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 794.75 million | ₹207.16 billion (≈ ₹20,716 crore) · $2.15 billion |
| Service stations | 5541 | 633.99 million | ₹388.11 billion (≈ ₹38,811 crore) · $4.03 billion |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 362.23 million | ₹22.53 billion (≈ ₹2,253 crore) · $234 million |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 294.66 million | ₹119.22 billion (≈ ₹11,922 crore) · $1.24 billion |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 264.89 million | ₹39.28 billion (≈ ₹3,928 crore) · $408 million |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 222.83 million | ₹30.32 billion (≈ ₹3,032 crore) · $315 million |
| Dairies | 5451 | 176.34 million | ₹47.22 billion (≈ ₹4,722 crore) · $490 million |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 168.58 million | ₹586.78 billion (≈ ₹58,678 crore) · $6.09 billion |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 163.87 million | ₹71.35 billion (≈ ₹7,135 crore) · $741 million |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 155.91 million | ₹191.39 billion (≈ ₹19,139 crore) · $1.99 billion |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 119 million | ₹95.74 billion (≈ ₹9,574 crore) · $994 million |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 117.32 million | ₹39.71 billion (≈ ₹3,971 crore) · $412 million |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 116.48 million | ₹23.8 billion (≈ ₹2,380 crore) · $247 million |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 114.52 million | ₹64.62 billion (≈ ₹6,462 crore) · $671 million |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 100.2 million | ₹118.04 billion (≈ ₹11,804 crore) · $1.23 billion |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 83.73 million | ₹25.41 billion (≈ ₹2,541 crore) · $264 million |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 82.94 million | ₹33.73 billion (≈ ₹3,373 crore) · $350 million |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 81.95 million | ₹103.23 billion (≈ ₹10,323 crore) · $1.07 billion |
| Family clothing shops | 5651 | 75.04 million | ₹66.05 billion (≈ ₹6,605 crore) · $686 million |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 74.07 million | ₹22.08 billion (≈ ₹2,208 crore) · $229 million |
| Passenger railways | 4112 | 72.71 million | ₹46 billion (≈ ₹4,600 crore) · $478 million |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 72.34 million | ₹12.03 billion (≈ ₹1,203 crore) · $125 million |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 70.97 million | ₹586.26 billion (≈ ₹58,626 crore) · $6.09 billion |
| Department stores | 5311 | 69.35 million | ₹46.01 billion (≈ ₹4,601 crore) · $478 million |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 68.2 million | ₹74.08 billion (≈ ₹7,408 crore) · $769 million |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 60.77 million | ₹32.25 billion (≈ ₹3,225 crore) · $335 million |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant categories, August 2025
| Name | Transactions | Value moved | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 3.13 billion | ₹681.16 billion (≈ ₹68,116 crore) · $7.07 billion |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.26 billion | ₹145.42 billion (≈ ₹14,542 crore) · $1.51 billion |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.18 billion | ₹194.32 billion (≈ ₹19,432 crore) · $2.02 billion |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 865.65 million | ₹212.18 billion (≈ ₹21,218 crore) · $2.2 billion |
| Service stations | 5541 | 626.95 million | ₹345.47 billion (≈ ₹34,547 crore) · $3.59 billion |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 330.07 million | ₹19.47 billion (≈ ₹1,947 crore) · $202 million |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 322.46 million | ₹125.81 billion (≈ ₹12,581 crore) · $1.31 billion |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 271.22 million | ₹40.92 billion (≈ ₹4,092 crore) · $425 million |
| Digital goods: games | 5816 | 270.7 million | ₹74.41 billion (≈ ₹7,441 crore) · $773 million |
| Dairies | 5451 | 179.1 million | ₹45.33 billion (≈ ₹4,533 crore) · $471 million |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 170.91 million | ₹223.68 billion (≈ ₹22,368 crore) · $2.32 billion |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 151.49 million | ₹770.07 billion (≈ ₹77,007 crore) · $7.99 billion |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 149.2 million | ₹61.16 billion (≈ ₹6,116 crore) · $635 million |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 122.6 million | ₹78.22 billion (≈ ₹7,822 crore) · $812 million |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 115.11 million | ₹22.27 billion (≈ ₹2,227 crore) · $231 million |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 107.75 million | ₹105.9 billion (≈ ₹10,590 crore) · $1.1 billion |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 102.15 million | ₹32.07 billion (≈ ₹3,207 crore) · $333 million |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 101.85 million | ₹118.11 billion (≈ ₹11,811 crore) · $1.23 billion |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 99.77 million | ₹11.84 billion (≈ ₹1,184 crore) · $123 million |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 93.34 million | ₹102.09 billion (≈ ₹10,209 crore) · $1.06 billion |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 88.17 million | ₹34.14 billion (≈ ₹3,414 crore) · $354 million |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 81.72 million | ₹23.17 billion (≈ ₹2,317 crore) · $241 million |
| Passenger railways | 4112 | 80.93 million | ₹41.43 billion (≈ ₹4,143 crore) · $430 million |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 78.02 million | ₹22.03 billion (≈ ₹2,203 crore) · $229 million |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 75.87 million | ₹70.88 billion (≈ ₹7,088 crore) · $736 million |
| Department stores | 5311 | 69.99 million | ₹41.43 billion (≈ ₹4,143 crore) · $430 million |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 69.96 million | ₹12.04 billion (≈ ₹1,204 crore) · $125 million |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 67.18 million | ₹33.93 billion (≈ ₹3,393 crore) · $352 million |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 57.81 million | ₹456.87 billion (≈ ₹45,687 crore) · $4.74 billion |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant-category changes against July 2026
| Name | Current transactions | Prior transactions | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 4 billion | 3.85 billion | 3.9% |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.52 billion | 1.48 billion | 2.64% |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.3 billion | 1.27 billion | 2.44% |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 817.79 million | 837.7 million | −2.38% |
| Service stations | 5541 | 772.9 million | 742.84 million | 4.05% |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 515.4 million | 475.84 million | 8.31% |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 470.47 million | 443.76 million | 6.02% |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 335.88 million | 311.94 million | 7.67% |
| Dairies | 5451 | 298.19 million | 277.52 million | 7.45% |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 249.21 million | 242.5 million | 2.77% |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 214.98 million | 207.99 million | 3.36% |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 214.96 million | 219.97 million | −2.28% |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 185.96 million | 180.72 million | 2.9% |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 152.58 million | 154.23 million | −1.07% |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 149.57 million | 146.3 million | 2.24% |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 136.29 million | 117.51 million | 15.98% |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 121.51 million | 137.37 million | −11.55% |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 108.6 million | 94.63 million | 14.76% |
| Family clothing shops | 5651 | 98.45 million | 80.24 million | 22.69% |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 94.03 million | 88.12 million | 6.71% |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 93.02 million | 93.43 million | −0.44% |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 92.72 million | 105.72 million | −12.3% |
| Digital goods: media, books, movies, music | 5815 | 91.03 million | 91.36 million | −0.36% |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 87.64 million | 86.05 million | 1.85% |
| Department stores | 5311 | 84.8 million | 88.25 million | −3.91% |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 84.12 million | 82.72 million | 1.69% |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 82.86 million | 79.65 million | 4.03% |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 82.18 million | 82.8 million | −0.75% |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 79.04 million | 69.58 million | 13.6% |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant-category changes against February 2026
| Name | Current transactions | Prior transactions | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 4 billion | 3.28 billion | 21.68% |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.52 billion | 1.38 billion | 9.73% |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.3 billion | 1.17 billion | 11.54% |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 817.79 million | 794.75 million | 2.9% |
| Service stations | 5541 | 772.9 million | 633.99 million | 21.91% |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 515.4 million | 264.89 million | 94.57% |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 470.47 million | 362.23 million | 29.88% |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 335.88 million | 294.66 million | 13.99% |
| Dairies | 5451 | 298.19 million | 176.34 million | 69.1% |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 249.21 million | 222.83 million | 11.84% |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 214.98 million | 168.58 million | 27.52% |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 214.96 million | 163.87 million | 31.18% |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 185.96 million | 114.52 million | 62.38% |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 152.58 million | 119 million | 28.22% |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 149.57 million | 155.91 million | −4.07% |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 136.29 million | 116.48 million | 17.01% |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 121.51 million | 117.32 million | 3.57% |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 108.6 million | 60.77 million | 78.71% |
| Family clothing shops | 5651 | 98.45 million | 75.04 million | 31.2% |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 94.03 million | 83.73 million | 12.3% |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 93.02 million | 82.94 million | 12.15% |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 92.72 million | 100.2 million | −7.47% |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 87.64 million | 74.07 million | 18.32% |
| Department stores | 5311 | 84.8 million | 69.35 million | 22.28% |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 84.12 million | 70.97 million | 18.53% |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 82.86 million | 72.34 million | 14.54% |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 82.18 million | 81.95 million | 0.28% |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 79.04 million | 68.2 million | 15.89% |
data.indiadispatch.com
Merchant-category changes against August 2025
| Name | Current transactions | Prior transactions | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries & supermarkets | 5411 | 4 billion | 3.13 billion | 27.69% |
| Fast food restaurants | 5814 | 1.52 billion | 1.26 billion | 20.13% |
| Eating places & restaurants | 5812 | 1.3 billion | 1.18 billion | 9.91% |
| Telecommunication services | 4814 | 817.79 million | 865.65 million | −5.53% |
| Service stations | 5541 | 772.9 million | 626.95 million | 23.28% |
| Bakeries | 5462 | 515.4 million | 271.22 million | 90.03% |
| Cigar shops & stands | 5993 | 470.47 million | 330.07 million | 42.54% |
| Drug stores & pharmacies | 5912 | 335.88 million | 322.46 million | 4.16% |
| Dairies | 5451 | 298.19 million | 179.1 million | 66.49% |
| Purchase of digital gold | 5412 | 249.21 million | 99.77 million | 149.78% |
| Debt collection agencies | 7322 | 214.98 million | 151.49 million | 41.91% |
| Beer, wine and liquor shops | 5921 | 214.96 million | 149.2 million | 44.08% |
| Online marketplaces | 5262 | 185.96 million | 122.6 million | 51.68% |
| Government services not elsewhere classified | 9399 | 152.58 million | 107.75 million | 41.61% |
| Utilities electric, gas, water and sanitary | 4900 | 149.57 million | 170.91 million | −12.49% |
| Candy, nut and confectionery shops | 5441 | 136.29 million | 115.11 million | 18.4% |
| Freezer and locker meat provisioners | 5422 | 121.51 million | 102.15 million | 18.95% |
| Variety stores | 5331 | 108.6 million | 67.18 million | 61.66% |
| Beauty and barber shops | 7230 | 94.03 million | 81.72 million | 15.06% |
| Bars and pubs | 5813 | 93.02 million | 88.17 million | 5.5% |
| Men’s and women’s clothing shops | 5691 | 92.72 million | 101.85 million | −8.96% |
| Electronics repair shops | 7622 | 87.64 million | 78.02 million | 12.33% |
| Department stores | 5311 | 84.8 million | 69.99 million | 21.16% |
| Securities brokers and dealers | 6211 | 84.12 million | 57.81 million | 45.51% |
| Taxi-cabs and limousines | 4121 | 82.86 million | 69.96 million | 18.44% |
| Electronics shops | 5732 | 82.18 million | 93.34 million | −11.96% |
| Uniforms and work clothing | 5137 | 79.04 million | 75.87 million | 4.18% |
data.indiadispatch.com
Source: National Payments Corporation of India, India Dispatch Research
Cite this reading
India by the numbers, UPI merchant categories, August 2026. 4 billion. Source: National Payments Corporation of India. https://data.indiadispatch.com/payments/upi-merchant-categories
Published content updated . This is separate from the source observation period.