e-RUPI: Everything You Need to Know About the Digital Payment Solution Launching Today

e-RUPI is being seen as India's first step towards having a digital currency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch e-RUPI, a person and purpose-specific digital payment system, at 4:30pm today (Monday, August 2) via a virtual event. Several programmes over the last few years have been launched to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, the Prime Minister's Office said, adding that the concept of the electronic voucher is another step in the same direction, taking forward the vision of good governance. Let's understand it further:

How does e-RUPI work?

A cashless and contactless solution for digital payment, e-RUPI is a QR code or SMS-string based e-voucher, delivered to the mobile of a beneficiary. A user can, then, redeem the voucher without any card, digital payment app, or Internet banking access, at the service provider - similar to a gift card. It basically brings the sponsor of the services in touch with beneficiaries without any physical interface. 

Who has developed e-RUPI?

This payment solution has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on its UPI platform in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and National Health Authority.  

What's the purpose of e-RUPI?

The government said in a statement that e-RUPI is a revolutionary step towards ensuring a leak-proof delivery of welfare services to the intended beneficiaries. It can also be used to deliver services under schemes on drugs and nutritional support, under Mother and Child welfare schemes, TB eradication programmes, drugs and diagnostics, and other schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, fertilizer subsidies, etc. Besides, even the private sector can make use of this concept for their employee welfare and CSR initiatives, the Prime Minister's Office said. 

Is e-RUPI safe?

The National Health Authority (NHA) has said that the contactless e-RUPI is easy, safe, and secure, for it keeps the details of the beneficiaries confidential. Besides, the transaction process through the voucher, NHA said, is comparatively faster. It's also reliable since the required amount is already stored in the voucher. 

Is e-RUPI likely to be successful in India?

An increasing number of digital payments, the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and a high currency to GDP ratio are some of the reasons the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has underscored why digital currencies are expected to do well in India. Having said that, it's still early days and a lot needs to be done before digital currencies become a success story.