RBI's offline digital rupee is here: Pay with e₹ even without internet | Personal Finance – Business Standard
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a significant step in India’s digital finance journey with the launch of the offline digital rupee (e₹). Announced at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, this feature allows users to make payments even in areas with limited or no internet connectivity, offering a cash-like experience in digital form.

What is digital rupee?

The digital rupee, or e₹, is India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), representing a digital version of the physical rupee. Issued directly by the RBI, e₹ carries the same trust as cash and is stored in secure digital wallets provided by banks. Unlike Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which moves money between bank accounts, e₹ functions like digital cash, users can send, receive, or pay instantly without needing a bank account for every transaction. e₹ wallets can also scan UPI QR codes, enabling seamless merchant payments.