Sovereign Gold Bonds
CBDC

What is CBDC?

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) - know as Digital Rupee (e₹) is India’s digital form of physical cash, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It offers the same level of trust, safety, liquidity, acceptance, settlement finality, and integrity as sovereign currency.

Key Features of Digital Rupee

  • UPI interoperable and works seamlessly across any UPI QR code.

  • Keeps your bank statement clutter-free for everyday payments.

  • Sovereign-backed and secure mode of payment.

  • Autoload functionality enables automatic top-ups when the wallet balance reaches a predefined trigger amount.

  • Pay the exact amount up to last paise(2 decimals).

  • Offers cash-like privacy in wallet-to-wallet transactions.

  • Limited risk exposure, as the wallet remains separate from your bank account.

Key Features - 1
Digital Rupee

How does Digital Rupee (e₹) work?

The Digital Rupee (e₹) works as a secure, RBI‑issued digital currency that functions just like physical cash, where the RBI creates digital tokens and supplies them to participating banks, who then distribute them to customers through their e₹ app(Digital Rupee Wallet). Once loaded into the user’s digital wallet, these tokens—each valued at 1 e₹ = One Indian Rupee and available in denominations from 50 paise to ₹500—can be used to send, receive, or scan & pay, enabling instant peer‑to‑peer transfers or payments to any merchants using any UPI QR, offering a seamless, fast, and cash‑like digital payment experience.

Get Started with HDFC Bank Digital Rupee (e₹)

Set up your e₹ wallet and start making seamless digital payments in just a few simple steps.

How to download: 
Download the app
1. Click here to download from Google Play Store
2. Click here to download from Apple App Store 

Device Compatibility:  
Android – Ver.12 & above    
iOS – Model 12 & above; Version 17 & above

Registration Steps

  • Step 1 - Download and open the HDFC Bank e₹ app.
  • Step 2- Select your SIM and enter your registered mobile number.
  • Step 3- Set up your preferred login method using a PIN, biometric authentication, or pattern lock, and create your 6-digit PIN.
  • Step 4- Select the HDFC Bank account you wish to link to your e₹ wallet.
  • Step 5- Enter the last 6 digits of your HDFC Bank Debit Card along with the card expiry date for verification.
  • Step 6- Add money to your e₹ wallet and start making payments instantly.
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Digital Rupee for Retail Customers, Merchants & Corporates

For Retail Customers

1. Load e₹

Steps to load e₹ into your wallet:

  • Download & Register HDFC Digital Rupee App
  • On the Home screen, select ‘Add Balance’
  • Enter/Select the desired amount
  • Choose from below options to complete load
    1. UPI-Select the UPI App-Enter PIN
    2. HDFC Bank Account-Enter OTP

 

2. Pay/Transfer:

    2.1 Peer to Peer Payments Easily send Digital Rupee (e₹) from your wallet to another user’s wallet in a few simple steps via Mobile Number /  Scaning any UPI QR code.

    Steps to Send e₹ to Friends & Family

  • Login to HDFC Digital Rupee app
  • From the home screen, select ‘Send’ or ‘Scan & Pay’.
  • Scan the recipient’s QR code
  • Select/enter the recipient’s mobile number
  • Input the desired amount and tap ‘Send’.
  • Authenticate Transaction
  • Enter the OTP to confirm the transaction.

    • 2.2 Peer to Merchant Payments Seamlessly pay merchants using Digital Rupee (e₹) directly from your wallet. You can make payments to merchants via Digital Rupee QR / Any UPI QR.

    Steps to Pay Merchants (Peer to Merchants)

  • Login to HDFC Digital Rupee app
  • Select ‘Scan & Pay’ from the home screen
  • Scan the merchant’s Digital Rupee QR or any UPI QR code
  • Enter the payment amount
  • Review transaction details and tap ‘Pay’
  • Authenticate transaction
  • Enter OTP to confirm the payment

 

3. Redeem/Withdraw

    Steps to redeem/withdraw e₹ into your account

  • Login-On the Home screen , Select ‘Withdraw’
  • Enter/Select the desired amount
  • Select HDFC Bank account linked to receive funds from wallet
  • Enter PIN and your redeem/withdrawal is complete
Card Management and Controls

For Merchants

Accept Digital Rupee (CBDC) Payments 

Enable seamless and future‑ready payment acceptance with HDFC Bank Digital Rupee. Merchants can easily start accepting payments through a dedicated Digital Rupee QR solution provided by HDFC Bank. 

    Key Benefits

  • Real-Time Settlements:

    Experience instant payment settlements directly into your wallet, eliminating waiting periods and improving cash flow management. 

  • New Mode of Payment 

    Offer your customers an innovative and secure payment option by accepting Digital Rupee, keeping your business ahead in the digital payments ecosystem.

  • Clutter-Free Statements

    Simplified transaction records with clear and organized digital rupee statements, making reconciliation easier and more efficient.

 

Integration Options 

a. Online Payment Integration 

Perfect for e-commerce or app-based businesses with API Integration facility. Seamlessly integrate Digital Rupee payments into your existing systems. Generate links for customer payments- 

  • Intent-Based Payments: Enable smooth app-to-app transactions 
  • Dynamic (Live) QR Codes: Generate QR codes for real-time payment collection 

b. Offline Payment Acceptance 

Ideal for physical stores and outlets: 

  • Static QR Code (Physical QR): Display a printed QR code at your store for easy customer payments 
Card Control and Redemption

For Corporates

What is the Corporate Program?

The HDFC Bank Digital Rupee Corporate Program enables organisations to leverage Programmable CBDC for employee payouts.

With this solution, corporates can onboard employees and disburse funds digitally with predefined rules, controls, and usage restrictions, ensuring purpose-driven payments.

 

  1. a. Use Cases for Corporates

    The program is designed to support a wide range of business needs:

    • Reimbursements-Food, travel, petty cash, and other business expenses
    • Allowances-Meal, fuel, gift allowances, and more
    • Salary Disbursement-Credit a portion of employee salaries through Digital Rupee
    • CSR Initiative-Targeted and trackable corporate social responsibility disbursements
    • Rewards & Recognition (R&R)-Instant incentives, bonuses, and employee rewards

      •  

  2. b. Benefits for Employers

    • Eliminate Voucher & Logistics Hassles: Move away from physical vouchers and manual processes with a fully digital, streamlined system.
    • Instant Pay-outs: Enable real-time fund transfers to employees without delays typically associated with third-party intermediaries.
    • Purpose-Linked Controls: Define where and how funds can be used, ensuring stronger governance, policy adherence, and cost control.
    • Enhanced Compliance: Transactions are executed on RBI-backed Digital Rupee rails, offering a more compliant and secure alternative to third-party fintech channels.

     

  3. c. Benefits for Employees:

    • Tax Free Allowance (Meal/Gift etc) in Wallet
    • Pay Seamlessly via HDFC Bank Scan & Pay
    • Clutter free bank statement
    • Safe, Secure and Sovereign

     

  4. d. How to Participate

    Getting started is simple:

    • Enroll Your Organisation: Join the HDFC Bank Digital Rupee Corporate Program.
    • Employee Onboarding: Employees register on the HDFC Digital Rupee application.
    • Set Controls & Submit Pay-out File: Define usage rules and upload employee disbursement details.
    • Fund & Disburse: Fund your HDFC Bank current account and initiate instant pay-outs.
Credit and Safety

Flagship features 

1. What is Programmable CBDC?

Programmable CBDC is digital money with rules built into it. Unlike normal money, this money can be set to only for specific purposes (like food or fuel), be used before a certain date, work only in certain locations & be accepted only by certain merchants or people. Think of it like a smart voucher or coupon — but digital and more powerful.

 

1.1 How Does It Work?

  • Programmable CBDC is of 2 types- User-PCBDC (User to User digital money transfer with rules) ; Sponsor-PCBDC (like a company or the Government transfers digital money to its employees/beneficiary)
  • The User/Sponsor creates digital money and adds rules
  • A User/Sponsor (like the government or a company) creates digital money and adds rules
  • The money is sent directly to your digital wallet (Digital Rupee wallet or UPI).
  • At payment: The system checks all rules instantly if the payment is allowed or blocked

 

1.2 What Rules Can Be Added?

The money can have these controls:

  • Expiry Date → Use before a certain date
  • Usage Limit → Use once or multiple times
  • Location → Use only in selected areas
  • Purpose → Spend only on certain categories (food, fuel, etc.)
  • Allowed Recipients → Only valid for certain merchants or wallets

 

1.3 Why Use Programmable CBDC?

  • Money is used only for the right purpose
  • No misuse or fraud
  • Faster payments
  • Full transparency
  • Better control for governments and companies

 

1.4 Use Cases

  • Parent sending money to pay school fees
  • Government sending subsidies to beneficiaries (Fertiliser subsidy to farmers)
  • Private companies providing food/fuel allowances to employees

 

2. Offline - Coming soon

Fees and Charges

Most Important Terms & Conditions

Click here to read the Most Important Terms & Conditions pertaining to HDFC Bank Digital Rupee (CBDC)

Contactless payments

Frequently Asked Questions

The Digital Rupee can be used for person-to-person (P2P) transfers and merchant payments through QR codes or mobile numbers. 

Yes. An HDFC Bank account is required to use the Digital Rupee App. 

No. Only HDFC Bank customers can register and use the Digital Rupee App. 

The ‘Unload’ feature allows you to transfer the balance from your e₹ wallet back to your linked HDFC Bank account. 

Yes. The app uses RBI-compliant encryption and multi-factor authentication to ensure secure transactions.

e₹ is a digital form of legal tender issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The conversion value is 1 e₹ = ₹1. It can be used as a medium of payment, legal tender, and a safe store of value, similar to physical cash. 

UPI, NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS are digital payment systems used to transfer money. e₹, on the other hand, is a digital form of sovereign currency issued by the RBI, similar to physical cash but in digital form. 

Customers can download the app from the Play Store or App Store and complete the registration process by following the steps provided within the app journey. 

  1. Download the HDFC Bank e₹ App on your smartphone.  
  2. Ensure your device meets the following requirements:  
    • Android Version 12 or above  
    • iOS Version 17 or above on iPhone 12 models and above  
    • Pattern lock, biometric authentication, or Face ID capability   
  3. Select the preferred SIM card for registration. If multiple SIM cards are available, select SIM Slot 1. The mobile number linked to your HDFC Bank account must be active on this SIM.  
  4. Enter your registered mobile number.  
  5. Choose your preferred login method:
    • PIN  
    • Biometric login  
    • Pattern lock  
  6. Set a 6-digit wallet PIN to authenticate transactions.  
  7. Select the HDFC Bank account you wish to link to your e₹ wallet.  
  8. Enter the last 6 digits and expiry date of the Debit Card linked to the selected account.  
  9. The bank will verify your details and complete the wallet registration process.  
  10. Add money to your e₹ wallet based on your preferred denomination and token count.  
  11. Once the tokens are added, you can start making payments and transactions with users and merchants accepting Digital Rupee.

Person-to-Person (P2P) Transactions

  1. Login to the app and select the “Pay” option from the home screen.  
  2. Select the beneficiary from your contacts if they are a CBDC user, or scan/upload their QR code.  
  3. Enter the transfer amount.  
  4. Enter your e₹ wallet PIN to authenticate the transaction.  
  5. Upon successful confirmation, the equivalent digital notes/coins will be transferred to the beneficiary’s e₹ wallet.  

The beneficiary can be an HDFC Bank Digital Rupee user or a user from another participating bank.

You can also simply enter the recipient’s mobile number, choose the amount, and tap “Send”.

Person-to-Merchant (P2M) Transactions

  1. Scan the merchant’s CBDC or UPI QR code. 
  2. Enter the payment amount. 
  3. Authenticate the transaction using your wallet PIN. 
  4. Upon confirmation, the digital notes/coins equivalent to the payment amount will be transferred to the merchant. 

The HDFC Bank e₹ App is available on: 

  • Android Version 12 and above  
  • iOS Version 17 and above on iPhone 12 models and above  

No. There is no minimum balance requirement for the e₹ wallet. 

No. The Digital Rupee wallet balance does not earn any interest. 

No. There are no charges or fees for using e₹. 

Yes. You will receive SMS alerts for every financial transaction carried out through the e₹ wallet. 

No. e₹ is a digital form of currency and does not earn interest or appreciate in value over time. 

If you enter the wrong wallet PIN more than three times in a day, transactions on the e₹ app will be temporarily blocked. You can either reset your wallet PIN or wait 24 hours for access to be restored. 

  1. Open the app and go to “Profile”.  
  2. Navigate to “PIN Settings”.  
  3. Select “Forgot PIN”.  
  4. Enter the last 6 digits and expiry date of your HDFC Bank Debit Card.  

In such cases, the debited amount will be refunded to your bank account. 

No. All e₹ transactions are instant and available 24x7. 

Currently, refund and chargeback facilities are not available for e₹ transactions. 

  1. First, redeem the wallet balance back to your linked bank account.  
  2. Tap the “Profile” icon on the top-left corner of the home screen.  
  3. Select the “De-register” option from the menu.  
  4. Review the prompt regarding wallet deletion and click “Continue”.  
  5. Authenticate using your wallet PIN to complete the de-registration process

  1. Per transaction limit: ₹10,000  
  2. Wallet holding limit: ₹1,00,000  
  3. Outward transfer limit (24 hours): ₹50,000  
  4. Redemption limit (24 hours): ₹1,00,000  
  5. Maximum number of P2P transactions (30 days): 100  
  6. Daily wallet load limit: ₹5,000  

Support & Query resolution

At HDFC Bank, we are committed to ensuring a secure and seamless experience for all your Digital Rupee transactions. If you observe any unauthorized transaction, delay, or error related to your Digital Rupee wallet or transactions, we encourage you to report it immediately through the following channels:

Email: digitalrupee.support@hdfc.bank.in

Number: 1800 1600 / 1800 2600