Under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems

Solution

Explanation: Section 10A of the PSSA, 2007 states: "No bank or payment system provider shall impose any charge on a customer for using any electronic mode of payment for making payments or for receiving payments." The provision is categorical and unqualified. "Electronic mode of payment" encompasses NEFT, RTGS, mobile transfers, UPI, and all system-facilitated digital transfers. The statute does NOT distinguish between consumer/commercial transactions or between transaction types. The RBI has consistently interpreted Section 10A to mean that charges on electronic transactions are prohibited per se. Bank Z's charges (i) NEFT, (ii) RTGS, and (iii) mobile transfers directly violate this provision. Charge (iv), labeled "administrative fee," also violates Section 10A if it is contingent on using electronic modes. The Supreme Court has upheld this interpretation, holding that banks must absorb electronic transaction processing costs and cannot pass them to customers. Section 26(6) provides penalties for contravention: fine up to ₹10 lakhs, and if continuing, ₹25,000 per day. Thus, option (B) correctly applies Section 10A's absolute prohibition.