Axis Mobile charges explained: SMS, IMPS and UPI fees in 2026

The Axis Mobile app lets you check your balance and send UPI payments for free. But the bank charges fees for IMPS transfers, SMS alerts, and debit card annual fees on many accounts. Most fees also attract GST, and the top IMPS fee rises to ₹15 from 30 November 2026.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-11-01

The Axis Mobile app lets you check your balance and send UPI payments for free, but it charges fees for IMPS transfers, SMS alerts and debit card annual fees on many accounts. The app has 5 crore+ installs and a Google Play rating of 4.8 from 35,49,632 ratings, as shown on the Axis Mobile Qrates page (Qrates directory). Most fees you trigger inside the app also have GST added to the final deduction. Axis Bank's GST page gives the rate as 18 percent.

Quick answer: What does the Axis Mobile app charge?

Downloading the Axis Mobile app and checking your balance is free. Sending money through UPI is free, but the bank charges fees for IMPS transfers, SMS alerts, and debit card annual fees on many accounts.

Fees also attract GST (axis.bank.in). At the 18 percent rate on Axis Bank's GST page, a ₹15 fee will actually cost you ₹17.70.

What the Axis Mobile app is and what stays free

The Axis Mobile app is the official banking application for Axis Bank customers. It sits in the Banking apps and neobanks category and is published by Axis Bank Ltd (Qrates directory). We found no fee on Axis Bank's account sheets for logging in, viewing your statement, or managing payees in the app.

Axis Bank says the UPI option in Axis Mobile is free of cost, though your telecom provider's data charges still apply (axis.bank.in). If you are curious about how other platforms compare, you can look at Google Pay charges in India to see what is free and what costs money.

How fund transfer charges work in the app

Axis Mobile IMPS charges

IMPS transfers settle instantly but cost money based on the amount you send. On savings accounts, Axis Bank charges ₹2.50 up to ₹1,000 and ₹5 from ₹1,000 to ₹1 lakh. From ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh it charges ₹10, rising to ₹15 from 30 November 2026. All of these are plus GST (axis.bank.in). Burgundy, Priority, Prestige, Sampann, Basic Savings and some other accounts have these charges fully waived.

NEFT fee and RTGS charges

NEFT and RTGS transfers done online are listed as free on Axis Bank's savings account sheets (axis.bank.in). RBI rules also bar banks from charging savings account holders for online NEFT (rbi.org.in). RTGS has a minimum of ₹2 lakh (rbi.org.in).

Here is a worked example of an IMPS transfer. If you send ₹1,20,000 using IMPS from 30 November 2026, the bank will charge a fee of ₹15. GST at 18 percent adds ₹2.70, making the total deduction ₹17.70. Before that date, the fee is ₹10 and the total is ₹11.80.

Transfer type	Speed	App fee for savings accounts
UPI	Instant	Free
IMPS	Instant	₹2.50 to ₹10 plus GST (top slab ₹15 from 30 November 2026)
NEFT	Half-hourly batches	Free
RTGS (₹2 lakh or more)	Real time	Free online

SMS alerts, debit cards and other account deductions

Axis Bank SMS alert charges

The bank charges a fee for sending SMS alerts about your account activity. Axis Bank's account sheets for Easy Access, Advantage and Prestige list 25 paise per SMS, with a maximum of ₹15 per quarter (axis.bank.in). The Easy Access and Advantage sheets apply this cap to non-mandatory SMS only.

Debit card annual fee

Your debit card annual fee is a yearly charge. The exact fee depends on the type of debit card linked to your account. Axis Bank's sheets list upgrade cards at ₹500 to ₹1,500 plus GST a year (axis.bank.in).

If you apply for a credit card inside the app, check the joining and annual fee on the application screen first.

What to check in your own case: App permissions and cross-selling

Check your specific account type, like Easy Access or Prestige, as the schedule of charges differs by account. Some accounts have certain fees waived, such as IMPS on Prestige. Axis Bank has also announced revised savings account charges from 1 December 2026. Before using the app, you might want to confirm Is Axis Mobile safe and registered in India? to understand the security measures in place.

The Qrates directory notes the app reads your text messages and your contacts.

Store reviews on the Qrates directory report too much selling inside the app, meaning ads, pop-ups and cross-sell. Other problems raised include the app breaking and login or OTP failures. The most raised problem is that nobody answers support requests.

Common mistakes that trigger Axis Bank deductions

Failing to maintain your average monthly balance triggers a non-maintenance charge (axis.bank.in). On Easy Access and similar accounts, it is 6 percent of the shortfall, up to ₹600 from 1 December 2026 in all locations. The cap is lower in semi-urban and rural branches until then, and salaried customers are excluded.

Forgetting the transaction limit on free ATM withdrawals is another common error. This leads to fees on extra cash withdrawals once your free limit is exhausted.

Assuming a fee shown on the screen is final is a mistake. Users often forget that GST on bank fees will increase the final deduction.

FAQs

Is Axis mobile banking free?

The app is free to download. Axis Bank says the UPI option is free of cost. Specific services like IMPS transfers and SMS alerts carry a cost on many accounts.

Why is Axis Bank deducting money from my account?

Money is usually deducted for SMS alerts, debit card annual fees, or failing to keep the minimum balance. The amounts depend on your account type.

Axis Bank me SMS charges kitna hai?

Axis Bank's account sheets for Easy Access, Advantage and Prestige list 25 paise per SMS, capped at ₹15 per quarter, plus GST. Check the sheet for your own account.

How to stop SMS charges in Axis Bank?

Ask Axis Bank through the app, customer care or a branch about changing optional alerts. RBI requires banks to have customers register for SMS alerts for electronic banking, so you cannot simply switch off all alerts (rbi.org.in).

Axis Bank hidden charges kaise check kare?

You can check fees on axis.bank.in/fees-and-charges and in the Most Important Document for your account. These are published fees, and they outline what the bank deducts for each service.

The short version

Downloading the Axis Mobile app and checking your balance is free.
Sending money through UPI is free, but IMPS transfers cost ₹2.50 to ₹10 plus GST on many savings accounts. The top slab becomes ₹15 from 30 November 2026.
Online NEFT and RTGS are listed as free on Axis Bank's savings account sheets.
SMS alerts cost 25 paise each on the sheets we checked, capped at ₹15 per quarter.
Most fees also attract GST, which Axis Bank's GST page gives as 18 percent.

Sources

Disclaimer

Qrates is an information directory. It takes no commission from any company listed and does not recommend products. Figures are taken from the sources named and dated, and they change; check the company's own page before you decide. This is not investment, credit, insurance or tax advice for your situation.