Airtel Payments Bank has announced the public rollout of a new Near Field Communication (NFC)-based balance update feature for its National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-enabled RuPay On-The-Go Cards.
The update allows users to check and refresh their transit card balances directly via their smartphones, removing the necessity of utilizing physical kiosks at metro stations.
Key Functionality
The newly introduced feature aims to fully digitize the transit card management process. Commuters can utilize the feature through the following mechanism:
- Prerequisites: An NFC-enabled Android smartphone and the Airtel Thanks application.
- Process: Users log into their bank account or wallet within the app and simply tap their RuPay On-The-Go Card against the back of their smartphone.
- Result: The card’s balance is updated or displayed in real-time, facilitating a contactless and queue-free transit experience. From ordering and recharging to updating the balance, the entire lifecycle of the card can now be managed digitally.
Pilot Phase and Broad Rollout
Prior to this broader launch, Airtel Payments Bank conducted a pilot program over the past few months to monitor real-world application and gather user feedback.
Following positive responses and steady adoption rates among daily commuters during the testing phase, the bank has now made the feature available to all its RuPay On-The-Go Card users.
Market Presence
Airtel Payments Bank is currently a prominent issuer of RuPay On-The-Go Cards in India, reporting a total distribution of over 5 million cards to date. The implementation of the NFC balance update aligns with the bank’s ongoing integration of digital mobility and financial solutions within India’s broader transit infrastructure.
Regarding this, Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, Executive Director – Business Operations, Airtel Payments Bank, said:
At Airtel Payments Bank, our constant focus is to innovate in ways that make everyday transactions simpler and more intuitive for our customers. The overwhelming response during the pilot validated the need for instant balance updates on the go. With this launch, we are proud to bring another industry-first solution that enhances commuter convenience and strengthens India’s digital payments and mobility ecosystem.