Prime
Minister Narendra Modi will launch e-RUPI on Monday, August 2, in a bid to
further boost the adoption of digital payments in the country. The electronic voucher-based
digital payment system has been developed by the National Payments Corporation
of India (NPCI) on its UPI platform along with the Department of Financial
Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and National Health Authority.

What is e-RUPI?

It is a QR
code or SMS string-based e-voucher delivered directly to cell phones of
beneficiaries. It is a cashless and contactless means of digital payment.

With the
help of the e-RUPI payment service, a user will be able redeem vouchers without
a card or a digital payments app or even internet banking access.

How does
e-RUPI work?

E-RUPI
connects service sponsors with beneficiaries and service providers digitally
without any physical interface. The service ensures that the payment is made to
the service provider only after the service is provided. E-RUPI is pre-paid in
nature and therefore assures payment to the service provider without needing
the involvement of an intermediary.

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Where can
e-RUPI be used?

India’s
newest digital payments system can be used to deliver services meant for
providing drugs and nutritional support under Mother and Child welfare schemes,
TB eradication programmes, drugs and diagnostics under schemes like Aysuhman
Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana as well as for fertilizer subsidies.
The private sector too can leverage the e-RUPI as part of employee welfare and corporate
social responsibility (CSR) efforts.

How to use
e-RUPI vouchers?

These vouchers
are akin to e-gift cards, which are pre-paid. The code of these cards can be
shared either via SMS or the QR code can be shared. The e-vouchers are purpose
specific and even if one does not have a bank account or a digital payment app
or a smartphone can benefit from these vouchers.

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The government intends for these vouchers to be
used mostly for health-related payments. The Centre had earlier said that it
would bring in an option for vaccine e-voucher, where people will be able to buy
e-vouchers for vaccination in private hospitals and gift it to others.