RuPay is the first-of-its-kind domestic Debit and Credit Card payment network of India, with wide acceptance at ATMs, POS devices and e-commerce websites across India. It is a highly secure network that protects against anti-phishing. The name, derived from the words ‘Rupee and ‘Payment’, emphasises that it is India’s very own initiative for Debit and Credit Card payments. It is our answer to international payment networks, expressing pride over our nationality.
RuPay fulfils RBI’s vision of initiating a ‘less cash’ economy. This could be achieved only by encouraging every Indian bank and financial institution to become tech-savvy and engage in offering electronic payments.
Presently, RuPay has collaborated with almost 600 international, regional and local banks across the country. It’s ten core promoter banks are 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. It expanded its shareholding in 2016 to 56 banks to bring more banks across sectors under its umbrella.
RuPay is a product of NPCI, the umbrella organisation that powers retail payments in the country. The provision under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, empowered the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to create a secure electronic payment and settlement system in India.
The nature of NPCI’s initiatives and objectives includes it under the “Not for Profit Company” under the provisions of Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 and more recently under the Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013. This was an initiative to build the necessary banking infrastructure required to propel India towards a ‘less cash’ economy. NPCI recognises the need for tech-driven innovations in the retail payments system to drive operational efficiencies among a larger Indian audience.
NPCI is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, it is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks' Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment and Settlement Infrastructure in India.
Considering the utility nature of the objects of NPCI, 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), with an intention to provide infrastructure to entire banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems. The Company is focused on bringing innovations in the retail payment systems through the use of technology for achieving greater efficiency in operations and widening the reach of payment systems.
NPCI's ten core promoter banks are 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. In 2016 the shareholding was broad-based to 56 member banks to include more banks representing all sectors.
NPCI during its journey for last six years, has made a significant impact on the retail payment systems in the country. Dedicated to the nation by our Honble President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, endorsed by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and later made the card of choice for the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, RuPay is now a known name. With Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), India has become the leading country in the world in real time payments in retail sector. National Financial Switch (NFS) and Cheque Truncation System (CTS) continues to be the flagship products of NPCI. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) has been termed as the revolutionary products in the payment system. Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) has also been launched in pilot mode. The other products in pipeline include RuPay Credit Card, National Common Mobility Card - Tap & Go and Electronic Toll Collection.
