Launched in 2009 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), RuPay has swiftly gained recognition as a homegrown alternative to global payment networks like Visa and MasterCard. Today, this platform has become a known card payment network.
Established to promote online payments and financial inclusion, RuPay has emerged as a preferred choice for millions of Indian consumers and businesses.
RuPay also brings lower processing fees compared to international counterparts.
RuPay’s Features
Since the idea behind RuPay is a cashless India, it offers an array of cards that encompass a wide range of options, including:
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Prepaid cards
- Government scheme options
Its credit cards come in several forms, such as:
- Classic
- Platinum
- Select
- MSME
RuPay Classic cards bring merchant offers directly to consumers. The Platinum option showcases RuPay partnerships and gives cardholders top-notch privileges on virtually every purchase they make. If you’re a user of this card, you’ll enjoy insurance coverage and 24/7 concierge services. This Classic card is similar to the Classic debit card, which mainly offers merchant benefits.
RuPay Select offers even more exclusive privileges, with spa services, lounge access, health services, insurance and concierge services. The RuPay Select is similar to the RuPay Platinum debit card, which is crafted to provide exclusive benefits.
Finally, there’s the RuPay Select Debit card, with hand-picked merchant offers, such as spas, gyms, and insurance services.
MSME cards are geared toward business owners. It offers services that help MSMEs offer efficient business and scale their digital transformation. These cards also bring in lounge access but have accidental insurance coverage and a few more suitable benefits.
When it comes to RuPay for business, it’s oriented toward serving financial institutions and Indian merchants.
RuPay Contactless card can be used all around, in buses, metros, or parking. The main goal of RuPay Contactless is to provide Low-Value Payments (LVPs).
The RuPay Commercial Credit Card is a great solution if you’re a business owner, so you can better manage various business expenses. There’s also a feature called nth Rewards, which maximizes ROI from current customers.
All these cards utilize tokenization, meaning their users can digitize them on their mobile apps. Then, they can simply tap their phone to make payments.
RuPay also offers access to many domestic and international merchants. Some of the banks that issue the cards are:
- IDBI Bank
- SBICard
- HDFC Bank
- Union Bank
How to Start Utilizing RuPay
If you’re a merchant looking to get started with RuPay, you’ll have to get in touch with them via the chatbot located on the Home page. Alternatively, you can try reaching out via social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn.
If you’re a consumer, interested in one of RuPay’s credit or debit cards, you’ll find the Apply button under every card offered by RuPay. Once you click it, you’ll be redirected to the official website of the bank that provides the card services.
