e-RUPI: Digital Payment Solution

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  • The Prime Minister is set to launch the digital payment solution e-RUPI on August 2.

Key Points

  • About:
    • It is a person and purpose-specific digital payment solution which is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment.
  • Working Mechanism:
    • e-RUPI has a QR code or SMS string-based e-Voucher, which is delivered to the mobile of the beneficiaries.
    • It will be like a prepaid gift voucher that can be redeemed at specific accepting centres without any credit or debit card, mobile app or internet banking. 
    • It will connect sponsors of the services with beneficiaries and service providers digitally without any physical interface.
  • Developed By:
  • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and National Health Authority.

Significance

  • Users can redeem the voucher without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access, at the service provider.
  • It assures timely payment to the service provider without involving any intermediary.
  • It will ensure a leak-proof delivery of welfare services, further, fulfil the vision of Good Governance.
  • Can be used for delivering social services under schemes meant for providing drugs and nutritional support under Mother and Child welfare schemes, TB eradication programmes, drugs & diagnostics under schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, fertilizer subsidies etc.
  • Even the private sector can leverage these digital vouchers as part of their employee welfare and corporate social responsibility programmes.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

  • It is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
  • It is an initiative of RBI and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
  • It has been incorporated as a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of Section 25 of Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013).
  • Aims
    • To create a robust payment and settlement infrastructure in India.
    • To provide infrastructure to the entire Banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
    • To bring innovations in the retail payment systems through the use of technology for achieving greater efficiency in operations and widening the reach of payment systems.
  • Ten Core Promoter Banks: State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Citibank N A and HSBC.

Source: IE

 
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