UPI PAYMENTS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE AIR TOO

UPI PAYMENTS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE AIR TOO

28-SEP-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI------------------------HDFC Bank has taken a major step towards integrating the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)—or Digital Rupee—into the daily lives of the general public. The bank is soon launching five innovative use cases, which were showcased at the Global Fintech Fest on September 24, 2026. Its most significant and talked-about feature is offline payment during flights. Often, the lack of internet access during air travel makes it difficult to pay for food, snacks, or seat upgrades.

Under this new HDFC Bank facility, passengers will be able to make payments simply by tapping their phones on HDFC Bank’s Point-of-Sale (POS) devices. No internet or mobile network connection will be required for this. The system will operate offline at both ends, with the transaction settlement taking place once the device reconnects to the network. According to the RBI, the limit for offline transactions is set at ₹500 per transaction, with a maximum wallet balance of ₹2,000. Another major development is the integration with BHIM UPI; HDFC Bank is linking its Digital Rupee wallet with BHIM UPI.

This means customers can make payments directly from their CBDC wallets by scanning standard UPI QR codes at any shop—just like a regular UPI payment. This eliminates the need for merchants to install separate CBDC machines and significantly boosts acceptance. The third feature involves gift vouchers; the bank will now issue Digital Rupee gift vouchers to customers through corporate channels and promotional offers.

These vouchers will be credited directly to the customer's HDFC e₹ wallet and can be used for UPI payments anywhere.

The fourth benefit is for credit card users. Often, reward points remain unused. HDFC Bank customers will now be able to directly convert their credit card reward points into Digital Rupee. These funds can be used for everyday purchases such as dining, fuel, clothing, and electronics. The fifth feature is designed for corporate clients; the bank is developing a dedicated Digital Rupee portal where companies can provide fuel, travel, and meal allowances to their employees in the form of programmable Digital Rupee.

This ensures the proper utilization of funds and simplifies auditing and compliance. According to HDFC Bank officials, the Digital Rupee combines trust, programmability, and transparency. This initiative will elevate the CBDC from a mere pilot project to an integral part of daily transactions, adding a new dimension to the country's digital payment system.