HDFC Bank customers will need to plan their digital transactions carefully this month, as the bank has scheduled two major maintenance windows in December 2025. The bank has announced that its UPI services will remain unavailable on December 13 and December 21 from 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM, a downtime of four hours each day. The upgrade aims to enhance the speed, security, and reliability of the bank’s digital payment infrastructure, but users may face temporary inconvenience during the early morning hours.
During the scheduled system upgrade, all UPI-related functions linked to HDFC Bank accounts will remain completely suspended. This includes:
UPI payments from HDFC savings and current accounts
UPI transactions made using RuPay credit cards
Payments processed through HDFC MobileBanking app
Transactions via third-party UPI apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm where HDFC is the payment service provider
Merchant settlements and collections tied to HDFC-linked UPI accounts
For merchants, the downtime may delay early-morning settlements or customer payments. However, there’s some relief for users: HDFC’s net banking and other core banking services will continue to operate normally. Still, essential payments like utility bills, recharges, or quick purchases during those hours may be impacted.
To ensure uninterrupted digital payments, HDFC Bank is urging customers to use its PayZapp wallet, which will remain fully functional during the maintenance period. The bank is also promoting PayZapp as a convenient and secure option for everyday payments.
Setting up PayZapp is simple:
Download the app on Android or iOS.
Register with your mobile number.
Complete OTP verification.
Choose a KYC option:
PAN-based KYC: Limits up to ₹10,000 per transaction and ₹1.2 lakh annually
Bank-based KYC: Limits up to ₹2 lakh per transaction and ₹10 lakh annual spending
Existing HDFC cardholders can easily complete full KYC by entering the last four digits of their HDFC card. Users can load their wallet using debit or credit cards, set daily or monthly spending limits, and earn cashback through PayZapp’s reward features. This makes it a practical alternative not just during UPI downtime but for routine transactions as well.
To avoid last-minute payment issues, customers should:
Complete important payments at least 24 hours before the maintenance window.
Keep alternative payment methods ready, such as other banks’ UPI services, cash, or additional wallets.
Monitor app notifications and check HDFC’s official website for the latest updates on service availability.
Scheduled maintenance is common for major banks, especially those handling high volumes of digital transactions. HDFC Bank’s periodic upgrades help strengthen overall security and enhance the user experience. Although the early-morning downtime may cause temporary inconvenience, the improvements will benefit customers in the long run.
As digital payments continue to be an essential part of daily life, staying informed about planned outages ensures smooth transactions and prevents unexpected disruptions.
