What is the e-Rupee or e-RUPI?
In simple terms, e Rupee is nothing but a Paytm Wallet-like Digital Wallet app from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Where you can add the balance from your Bank or UPI and use it to pay, for your day-to-day transactions, by scanning the e Rupee QR code. For a more detailed explanation from RBI, read the next paragraph.
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2022 The e₹-R would be in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender. It would be issued in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are currently issued. It would be distributed through intermediaries, i.e., banks. Users will be able to transact with e₹-R through a digital wallet offered by the participating banks and stored on mobile phones/devices. Transactions can be both Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M). Payments to merchants can be made using QR codes displayed at merchant locations.
List of Participating Banks and Cities in the e-Rupee Pilot Programme
Currently, the below-mentioned eight banks are participating in the e-Rupee Pilot run program, it will be executed in a phased manner, and will include more banks in the future.
State Bank of IndiaICICI BankYes BankIDFC First BankBank of BarodaUnion Bank of IndiaHDFC Bank, andKotak Mahindra Bank
Under the pilot run, e Rupee can be used in the following cities of India.
Mumbai (Initial Phase)New Delhi (Initial Phase)Bengaluru (Initial Phase)Bhubaneswar (Initial Phase)AhmedabadGangtokGuwahatiHyderabadIndoreKochiLucknowPatnaand Shimla
Steps to Download and Setup E Rupee App
Make sure to download the e-Rupee app from the official websites of the above-mentioned banks only, as the app is not yet available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Here’s how you can download and set it up on your Android phone, since the app is not available for iPhones as of now.
Download the app from the website of a bank partnering with RBI for the pilot run. For example, you can download the e-Rupee app from ICICI bank’s website.
Either scan the QR code or click the download the app link.
Tap the Download anyways prompt, once the app is downloaded you need to enable Install from Unkown sources, else the app won’t be installed on your phone.
Now, open the app, on your Android phone, and tap the Enter Button.
Allow the Phone and SMS permission to the e-Rupee app.
Tap the Accept button, to agree with the Terms and Conditions of the e-Rupee app.
Now, scroll through the welcome screens, and tap the Start Registration button.
On the next screen, choose either SIM 1 or SIM 2 based on your preference. tap the Verify SIM button.
9. You need to complete the registration process and create your Wallet PIN.
- Link your debit card and select the respective account linked to that card.
How to Pay and Collect Money using the e-Rupee App?
You can transfer money from Person to Person (P2P) or Person to Merchant (P2M) using the e-Rupee app as follows:
Launch the e-Rupee app on your phone.
From the app dashboard, you will be able to send and collect money to and from someone by scanning the QR code.
How to Add Money to e-Rupee Wallet?
The e-Rupee app works like a wallet where you can add money from your bank account, or even transfer back the money to your bank account as follows:
Launch the e-Rupee app on your phone.
From the app dashboard, tap on the Load button to add money to your e-Rupee wallet.
Now, you can switch between the Notes and Coins tab.
Scroll through the notes and coins you want to add, and:
Swipe up on the note or coin to add it to your wallet, orSwipe down to remove the note or coin from your wallet.
Select the bank or UPI account you want complete the payment from, and tap Confirm.
Now, tap the Load Digital Rupee button.
Enter your PIN or OTP to complete the transfer.
Similarly, you can use the Redeem button to transfer the e-Rupee wallet balance to your Bank Account.
Q: What is e Rupee in India?
Q: Where do I buy e-Rupee from in India?
A: You can purchase an e- Rupee from the State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and IDFC First Bank. More banks like Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, will be added to the list in the future.
Q: Where can e Rupee be used?
A: e Rupee can be used for Person to Person (P2P) transactions, through mobile number and QR code, and from Person to Merchants (P2M) transactions, using the Digital Rupee QR Code. The pilot run is done in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Bhubaneswar and later will be extended to Ahmedabad, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow, Patna, and Shimla.
Q: Is the e-Rupee backed by Indian Rupees?
A: The e₹-R would be in the form of a digital token that represents legal tender, issued in the same denominations that paper currency and coins are currently issued. It need not necessarily be backed by physical currency.
Q: Do you need to have a Bank Account to use the e-Rupee?
A: Yes. You need to link a Savings Bank Account and authenticate using your Debit Card details to register for the Digital Rupee app.
Q: What is the difference between the e-Rupee and UPI?
A: Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is a payment interface used to complete transactions based on physical money or fiat money. e-Rupee is a digital token that represents legal tender, making it fiat money itself.
Wrapping Up
In this read, we discussed how you can download the e-Rupee app on your phone, set it up, and use it to pay, receive, add money, and transfer it back into your bank account. Currently, the e-Rupee app is under pilot testing right now and is only available via the partner bank websites only. We’ll update this article once the app will be officially launched on Google Play store and App Store. I hope you found this useful, if you did make sure to share it. Stay tuned to GadgetsToUse for more such tech tips, tricks, how-to, and news. Also, Read:
How to Create and Find UPI Payment QR Codes in Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM4 Ways to Send Money From Paytm to Other UPI Apps6 Ways to Get a Refund for a Wrong UPI or Bank Transaction3 Ways to Enable Tap to Pay on Paytm, Google Pay, and UPI
