RBI Plans Digital Rupee Expansion for Welfare and Trade
The Reserve Bank of India aims to broaden digital rupee use through welfare schemes and international payment pilots. While retail circulation declined to 7.71 billion rupees, the central bank is testing programmability features and collaborating with Singapore and the UAE.
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The Reserve Bank of India will expand its digital rupee to welfare programs and cross-border payments despite retail circulation falling 24% to 7.71 billion rupees. The central bank's 2025-26 annual report detailed pilots in three regions where beneficiaries received food subsidies via CBDC. Success in these institutional pilots could determine if the e-rupee becomes a primary tool for government fiscal distribution.
