In this post we have given information about our Domestic Debit and Credit Card Payment Network Rupay. RuPay Card Benefits, Limits, UPI, Airport Lounge Access and also compared with Visa and Mastercard.
What is RuPay Card?
RuPay Card is an Indian domestic debit and credit card payment network launched in 2014 by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It is India’s own card payment network, designed to compete with international payment networks like Visa and MasterCard.
RuPay cards are accepted at all ATMs and POS terminals in India, as well as on most e-commerce websites.
History of RuPay Card
RuPay Card was launched in 2012 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) with the vision of creating the banking infrastructure required to move India towards a “Cashless Economy”.
The launch of the RuPay card was also intended to respond to the growing dominance of international payment networks such as Visa and MasterCard in India. These networks were charging high transaction fees from merchants, which was impacting the Indian economy.
The RuPay card was initially launched as a debit card, but credit cards were introduced in 2017. Today, RuPay cards are issued by more than 1100 banks, including public sector banks, private sector banks and regional rural and cooperative banks.
RuPay cards have become very popular in recent years. In 2021-22, RuPay cards accounted for 26% of all card transactions in India. This growth is attributed to several factors, including the government’s promotion of digital payments, increased acceptance of RuPay cards by merchants and innovative features and benefits provided by RuPay cards.
Some of the major milestones in the history of RuPay card are as follows:
- 2012: RuPay card launched as a debit card.
- 2014: RuPay card becomes the first Indian payment card to be accepted internationally, with partnerships with Discover Financial and JCB.
- 2017: RuPay credit cards launched.
- 2018: RuPay card becomes the first Indian payment card accepted in the United States.
- 2020: RuPay card became the first Indian payment card to be accepted in the UAE.
- 2021: With over 700 million cards, RuPay card becomes India’s most popular payment card.
Types of RuPay Card
There are many types of RuPay cards available to meet the needs of different customers. Following are some of the most common RuPay card types:
- RuPay Debit Card: RuPay Debit Cards are linked to your savings account and allow you to withdraw cash and make payments from your account.
- RuPay Credit Cards: RuPay credit cards allow you to borrow money from the bank for purchases. You can repay the loan with interest over time.
- RuPay Prepaid Card: A fixed amount is loaded on the RuPay prepaid card, which you can use to make payments. Prepaid cards are a good option for those who want to control their spending or do not have a bank account.
- RuPay Government Scheme Card: RuPay Government Scheme Card is issued to the beneficiaries of various government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and National Swachh Bharat Mission (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan). These cards enable beneficiaries to access and make payments for their government benefits.
Apart from these basic RuPay card types, there are also a number of specialist RuPay cards available such as the following:
- RuPay Contactless Cards: RuPay contactless cards let you make payments by tapping the card on a contactless terminal.
- RuPay Reward Card: RuPay Reward Cards offer reward points on your every purchase. These points can be redeemed for discounts, travel rewards and other benefits.
- RuPay Co-Branded Cards: RuPay co-branded cards are issued in partnership with other companies such as airlines, hotels and retailers. These cards provide customers with special benefits and discounts from the partner company.
It is important to consider your personal needs and preferences when choosing a RuPay card. Think about which card best suits your spending habits and lifestyle. You should also compare the features and benefits of different RuPay cards to choose the best card for you.
If you don’t know which RuPay card is right for you, you can talk to your bank representative. They can help you choose the best card for your needs and explain the features and benefits of different RuPay cards.
RuPay Card providers, their limits, and charges
Here is the list of RuPay card providers, their limits and charges:
| Bank | Limit & Charges |
|---|---|
| State Bank of India (SBI) | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| HDFC Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| ICICI Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Axis Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Bank of Baroda (BoB) | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Punjab National Bank (PNB) | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Canara Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Union Bank of India (UBI) | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| IndusInd Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Paytm Payments Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
| Airtel Payments Bank | ₹1 lakh per day for ATM withdrawals and ₹2 lakh per day for POS transactions |
Please note that these are only general limits and charges. The actual limits and charges may vary depending on the type of RuPay card you have and the bank that issues it. You can contact your bank for more information.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about RuPay card limits and charges:
ATM withdrawal fees: Most banks charge fees for ATM withdrawals, especially if you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not owned by your bank. ATM withdrawal fees will vary depending on the bank and the type of ATM you use.
POS transaction fees: Merchants may charge transaction fees for POS transactions, especially if you use a RuPay card issued by a bank other than theirs. POS transaction charges will vary depending on the merchant and the type of RuPay card you use.
Annual fee: Some RuPay cards charge an annual fee. The annual fee will vary depending on the bank and the type of RuPay card you have.
Rupay Card Benefits
Some of the benefits of using Rupay card are:
- Low transaction fees: RuPay cards offer low transaction fees to merchants, which can lead to lower prices for consumers.
- Wide acceptance network: RuPay cards are accepted at all ATMs and POS terminals in India, as well as on most e-commerce websites.
- More innovative features and benefits: RuPay cards offer many features like contactless payments, cashback rewards and discounts on travel and shopping.
- Supporting Indian Economy: By using RuPay Card you are supporting the Indian economy. RuPay is a domestic payments network, so transaction fees generated from RuPay card payments remain within the country.
Rupay Card Lounge Access
Some RuPay cards offer lounge access as a benefit. This means you can enter airport lounges and other VIP lounges for free or at discounted rates when you use your RuPay card.
The type of lounge access you get depends on the type of your RuPay card and the bank that issued it. Some RuPay cards offer domestic lounge access, while others offer international lounge access. Some RuPay cards offer unlimited lounge access, while others offer a limited number of lounge visits per year.
To know whether your RuPay card offers lounge access or not, you can contact your bank or visit the bank’s website. You can also use a lounge access aggregator website like LoungeBuddy or Priority Pass to search for lounges that accept your RuPay card.
Some examples of RuPay cards that offer lounge access:
- SBI Rupay Select Credit Card – 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 1 international lounge visit per year
- HDFC Bank Rupay Select Credit Card – 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 1 international lounge visit per year
- ICICI Bank Rupay Select Credit Card – 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 1 international lounge visit per year
- Axis Bank RuPay Signature Credit Card – 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 2 international lounge visits per year
- Kotak Mahindra Bank RuPay Select Credit Card – 2 domestic lounge visits per month and 2 international lounge visits per year
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Rupay Lounge Online Check Kare
You can get detailed information about the lounge by visiting the official website of RuPay.
In the Lounge section on the website , you can select country and city. After this you will get information like type of lounge, location, type of terminal and address.
Apart from this, a detailed list of domestic lounges and international lounges is also given on the website. You can check which lounges are available for you as per your city and travel type.
For example, if you live in Mumbai and are traveling domestically then you can check the lounges available inside Mumbai Airport. If you are planning to travel abroad then you can find the lounge according to your destination in the list of international lounges.
Rupay New Delhi Lounge Access
Domestic Lounges
| Lounge | CardType | Location | Terminal Type | Terminal | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encalm Lounge | RuPay Select and Platinum | New Delhi | Domestic | Terminal 1D | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
| Encalm Lounge | RuPay Select and Platinum | New Delhi | Domestic | Terminal 2 | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
| Encalm Lounge | RuPay Select and Platinum | New Delhi | Domestic | Terminal 3 | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
International Lounges
| Lounge | CardType | Location | Terminal Type | Terminal | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encalm Lounge | RuPay Select and Platinum | New Delhi | International | Terminal 3 | Indira Gandhi International Airport |
Rupay Kolkata Lounge Access
Domestic Lounges
| Lounge | CardType | Location | Terminal Type | Terminal | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Club | RuPay Select and Platinum | Kolkata | Domestic | Domestic Terminal | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
| Travel Club Lounge Anex | RuPay Select and Platinum | Kolkata | Domestic | Domestic Terminal | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
International Lounges
| Lounge | CardType | Location | Terminal Type | Terminal | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Club | RuPay Select and Platinum | Kolkata | International | International Terminal | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
| Travel Club | RuPay Select and Platinum | Kolkata | International | Terminal 2 | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport |
In this way, with the help of information available on Rupay’s website, you can easily find out which lounges are available to you.
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Rupay Card Lounge Access Providers
The main providers for lounge access facility of RuPay Card include the following:
- Lounge Care- It is a lounge aggregator covering over 350 lounges. RuPay cardholders get special discounts.
- Priority Pass- This is an international lounge program which includes more than 1000 lounges. Rupay card holders can take advantage of this.
- Vistara Business- Vistara provides access to RuPay cardholders under its lounge programme.
- Dragon Pass – Dragon Pass provides access to over 500 lounges in the Asia Pacific region.
- Airport Lounges- Many airports have their own lounges that accept RuPay cards.
To avail the lounges of any of these providers, RuPay cardholders need to register in advance and check the lounge policies.
RuPay Card UPI
RuPay Card UPI is a facility that allows you to make payments through UPI using your RuPay Card. This means you can use your RuPay card to make payments at merchants that accept UPI payments.
To use RuPay Card UPI, you need to link your RuPay Card to your UPI ID. You can do this by following these steps:
- Open your UPI app.
- Tap on “Add Bank Account”.
- Select “RuPay Card” as account type.
- Enter your RuPay card details.
- Tap on “Link”.
Once you have linked your RuPay card to your UPI ID, you can make the payment by following these steps:
- Open your UPI app.
- Select “Pay” option.
- Enter the merchant’s UPI ID or QR code.
- Enter the amount to pay.
- Tap on “Pay”.
RuPay Card UPI is a convenient and secure way to make payments with your RuPay Card. This is a great option if you want to make payments using your RuPay card at merchants that accept UPI payments.
RuPay Card UPI Benefits
Some of the benefits of using RuPay Card UPI are:
- Convenience: You can make payments at any merchant that accepts UPI payments.
- Security: RuPay card uses UPI two-factor authentication to protect your transactions.
- Flexibility: You can use RuPay Card UPI to make payments using your UPI ID, QR code or mobile number.
If you have a RuPay card, you should link it to your UPI ID to avail the convenience and security of RuPay card UPI.
How to get RuPay Card?
To apply for a RuPay card, you can visit your bank branch or apply online through the bank’s website. The application process will vary depending on the bank, but you will typically need to provide the following information:
- Your personal details, such as your name, address and date of birth
- Your bank account details if you are applying for a debit card
- Your employment details if you are applying for a credit card
- Your income and expenses if you are applying for a credit card
Once you submit your application, the bank will review it and make a decision. If your application is approved, you will receive your RuPay card within a few days or weeks.
RuPay, Visa, and Mastercard
RuPay, Visa and MasterCard are all payment networks that allow you to make payments using debit or credit cards. However, there are some key differences between the three networks.
RuPay is an Indian domestic payments network, launched in 2014 by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). It is India’s own card payments network, designed to compete with international payment networks like Visa and MasterCard. RuPay cards are accepted at all ATMs and POS terminals in India, as well as on most e-commerce websites.
Visa and MasterCard are international payment networks accepted in over 200 countries worldwide. Visa was founded in 1958 and MasterCard was founded in 1966. These are two of the largest payment networks in the world, and their cards are accepted by millions of merchants around the world.
The table below compares RuPay, Visa and MasterCard:
| Feature | RuPay | Visa | Mastercard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | India only | Global | Global |
| Transaction fees | Lower | Higher | Higher |
| Rewards | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Which network should you choose?
If you’re primarily going to use your card in India, RuPay is a good option. It offers low transaction fees for merchants and is widely accepted by most merchants across the country. However, if you travel frequently or plan to use your card abroad, Visa or Mastercard is a better choice. These are accepted by more merchants around the world and offer more travel benefits.
Ultimately, the best network for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are not clear about which network to select, you can talk to your bank representative. They can help you understand the features and benefits of each network and choose the best one for you.