In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 10(2) read with Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that such regulatory intervention is necessary and expedient in the public interest, issued the Digital Payments E-mandate Framework, 2026, vide Circular No. RBI/DPSS/2026-27/396 dated April 21, 2026. This framework represents a landmark consolidation of the regulatory architecture governing electronic mandates for recurring payment transactions in India. Prior to the issuance of these directions, the regulatory landscape was fragmented across multiple circulars issued between 2019 and 2024, creating a patchwork of compliance obligations for payment system providers and participants. The 2026 framework systematically repeals eight erstwhile circulars and establishes a unified, comprehensive code applicable to all recurring transactions, whether domestic or cross-border, processed through cards, prepaid payment