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Jun 18, 2025
RBI plans major expansion of offline digital rupee use
The RBI is giving its digital rupee a major upgrade, adding offline and programmable options to its pilot program.
This means you'll soon be able to use the digital currency even without internet—great news for people in areas with patchy connectivity.
Over 6 lakh users across 17 banks are already part of this retail CBDC experiment.
TL;DR
Over ₹1,000 crore of digital rupee in circulation
The digital rupee (CBDC-R) is picking up speed, now circulating over ₹1,000 crore as of March 2025.
With new features like direct benefit transfers and payment controls, the RBI is making it more versatile for real-world needs.
India's push here puts it at the forefront of global digital payments innovation—making transactions easier for everyone from students to businesses, no matter where they are.