The Reserve Bank of India on 3rd January 2022, has published a framework for facilitating small value digital payment in offline mode. An offline digital payment means a transaction that does not require internet or telecom connectivity.
The framework allowing offline payments up to Rs 200 per transaction, subject to an overall limit of Rs 2,000. Under this new framework, such payments can be carried out face-to-face (proximity mode) using any channel or instrument like cards, wallets, mobile devices, etc. Such transactions would not require an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA). Since the transactions are offline, alerts (by way of SMS and / or e-mail) will be received by the customer after a time lag.
The Offline mode of payment can be enabled only after obtaining specific consent of the customer. Customers shall enjoy protection under the provisions of circulars limiting customer liability issued by Reserve Bank (as amended from time to time).
