RBI launches the Offline Digital Rupee (e₹), enabling secure digital payments without internet and bringing India’s rural population into the digital economy.
RBI Launches Offline Digital Rupee for Internet-Free Payments
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially introduced the Offline Digital Rupee (e₹), a revolutionary step in India’s digital finance ecosystem. Launched at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, the Offline Digital Rupee allows secure transactions without internet connectivity, ensuring that digital payments reach rural and underserved populations.
Accessible through 15 major banks, the e₹ bridges the digital divide by combining the convenience of cash with the security of RBI-backed digital currency.
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RBI’s Offline Digital Rupee: India’s Digital Cash Revolution
India now ranks among the first countries globally to implement an offline Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) at scale. The Offline Digital Rupee is issued directly by the RBI, carrying the legal tender status and trust of physical currency—only in a secure digital form.
Hosted in wallets provided by leading banks including State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, the Offline Digital Rupee is designed for instant transactions, even in areas with poor connectivity.
How the Offline Digital Rupee Works
The Offline Digital Rupee leverages innovative technologies to ensure seamless transactions without internet:
- NFC Tap-and-Pay: Users can tap NFC-enabled devices together to transfer the e₹ securely, requiring no mobile network.
- Telecom-Assisted Payments: Transactions can occur with minimal telecom signals, making digital payments possible even in connectivity-challenged regions.
These transactions support peer-to-peer (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) payments, offering privacy similar to cash while maintaining robust RBI security oversight. Digital wallets are available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store through participating banks. Daily transaction caps are ₹50,000 or 20 transactions, and wallet balances are limited to ₹1 lakh for enhanced safety.
Loading Money into Your Offline Digital Rupee Wallet
To use the Offline Digital Rupee, users need to initially load funds into their e₹ wallet via a linked bank account or popular UPI apps while online. Although offline payments do not require internet, acquiring digital rupees—converting regular bank money into e₹—is facilitated by participating banks or payment gateways.
How to Load Your Wallet:
- Download the e₹ wallet app from your participating bank.
- Register and link your existing bank account during setup.
- Click on “Load” or “Add Money”, enter the amount, and initiate the transfer from your bank account or UPI.
- The transferred funds are credited to your e₹ wallet, ready for both online and offline transactions.
Once funded, you can send or receive e₹ offline via NFC or minimal-network tap-to-pay, even without internet. For top-ups, an online or bank-connected setup is required.
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Key Features: Accessibility, Programmability, and Safety
The Offline Digital Rupee is designed for financial inclusion. Unlike UPI, it does not require a bank account or continuous internet access. Users need only a smartphone and wallet app. Recovery features, daily transaction limits, and advanced encryption safeguard user funds in case of device loss.
A standout feature is programmable money: e₹ can be geofenced, locked for specific uses, set with expiry dates, or allocated for government and corporate payments. Pilot programs like G-SAFAL (Gujarat) and DEEPAM 2.0 (Andhra Pradesh) have already demonstrated its effectiveness in targeted subsidy delivery and last-mile benefits.
Participating Banks in the Offline Digital Rupee Rollout
The initial retail pilot of the Offline Digital Rupee includes 15 banks:
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- ICICI Bank
- HDFC Bank
- Axis Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Yes Bank
- IDFC First Bank
- Federal Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank, and others
Users can register quickly and start transacting immediately.
RBI’s Vision for the Offline Digital Rupee
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted at the launch:
“The Digital Rupee strengthens financial inclusion, supports FinTech innovation, and empowers every Indian to participate securely in the future of payments.”
The Offline Digital Rupee complements India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, enhancing financial access and enabling innovation across the fintech ecosystem.
What the Offline Digital Rupee Means for Indians
By enabling digital payments without internet, the Offline Digital Rupee addresses geographic and connectivity challenges, bringing digital financial tools to every corner of India. This rollout is expected to:
- Increase digital adoption in rural and underserved areas
- Enhance transaction privacy and security
- Strengthen trust in India’s digital economy
- Provide programmable money solutions for government and corporate schemes
The Offline Digital Rupee represents a historic milestone, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in India’s journey toward a fully digital financial ecosystem.