RBI Explores Offline e₹ Payments Through HaRBInger Innovation Challenge

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is exploring ways to enable digital payments without internet connectivity through its HaRBInger Innovation Challenge.
The initiative focuses on offline transactions using the digital rupee (e₹), with technologies such as Bluetooth and NFC being considered for direct device-to-device payments.

The move could help users make digital payments in areas with weak or unavailable internet connectivity, including during network outages or travel.
However, RBI’s initiative does not mean that offline e₹ payments are currently available to all users. The technology is still being explored and developed as part of the innovation challenge.