●         West Bengal (18,000+ Adhikaris), Bihar (15,800+), and Uttar Pradesh (14,500+) were the top performing states by transaction volume

●         Loan repayments (5.03 million transactions) and electricity bill payments (3.5 million) were the top transacted categories

●         Average user paid over 2 bills each month

Bengaluru, 30 June 2025 – Spice Money (a subsidiary of DiGiSPICE Technologies), India’s pioneer in rural fintech and a leader in assisted digital payments platform, has facilitated over 9.5 million digital bill payment transactions through the Spice Money App via  Bharat Connect, a platform by NPCI  Bharat BillPay Limited between January and May 2025. Spice Money is an authorized BBPOU license holder under the BBPS framework, providing a compliant platform for rural citizens to carry out bill payments with confidence.

Spice Money’s 15+ lakh strong Adhikari network, with over 1.5 lakh active Adhikaris transacting for bill payments month-on-month, spans across 95% of rural pincodes. These Adhikaris act as digital catalysts, helping citizens pay for services such as electricity, water, education fees, DTH, loan EMIs, mobile recharges, and more—often for the very first time through digital means. Powered by the Bharat Connect platform, the Spice Money App provides a safe and secure environment for users to carry out these critical transactions with ease and confidence. This assisted model has not only boosted transaction volumes but also bridged the digital gap by helping consumers who are unable to complete bill payments by themselves. Through Bharat Connect’s integration with 700+ apps, they are enabling access and support for people who are not aware or confident in using digital platforms.

Among the top performing states, West Bengal emerged as a clear leader with over 18,000 Adhikaris (Agents) assisting more than 2.16 million bill payment transactions Bharat Connect transactions from January – May 2025. It was followed by Bihar, where nearly 15,800 Adhikaris (Agents)  assisted around 2.4 million transactions; Uttar Pradesh, with over 14,500 Adhikaris assisting 7.1 lakh transactions; Madhya Pradesh, with close to 10,600 assisting 6.2 lakh transactions; and Chattisgarh, where over 6,300 Adhikaris assisting approximately 5.2 lakh transactions. These states represent the new digital frontier, where people are increasingly relying on platforms like Spice Money App and  Bharat Connect to fulfill everyday financial needs in a seamless and assisted manner. The launch of Bharat Connect’s new campaign of #JaanteNahiParMaanteHain is a testament to the capabilities of the platform in changing the lives of millions of Indians.

Loan repayments and electricity bill payments continued to dominate transaction volumes and value. Loan repayments accounted for 53% of all Spice Money bill payment transactions, retaining the top spot with 5.03 million transactions, while electricity emerged as the second most transacted category, contributing 36.8% of the total volume with 3.5 million transactions. DTH services, LPG gas bills, mobile postpaid payments, and FASTag recharges were also among the most popular categories, reflecting a growing adoption of digital utilities even in the remotest corners of the country. On average, each user paid more than 2 bills every month, pointing to the increasing reliance on digital solutions for recurring payment needs.

Commenting on the sustained growth, Dilip Modi, Founder and CEO of Spice Money, said, “Digital inclusion in Bharat is not just about technology, it is about trust. At Spice Money, we are proud to be India’s No. 1 assisted bill payments platform and an authorized BBPOU license holder, delivering safe, secure, and compliant financial services to the last mile. The real power behind our bill payment success lies in our 15+ lakh strong Adhikari network—local nanopreneurs who simplify digital payment for their communities and offer support with consistency, familiarity, and care. Using the Spice Money App, these Adhikaris (Agents) are assisting people to pay for various utility services often for the very first time through digital means.

We are deeply grateful to NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited and the Bharat Connect ecosystem for building the infrastructure and belief needed to drive this digital shift. What we are witnessing today is not just transactional growth, it is a behavioral transformation in rural India. Spice Money remains committed to making sure no village is left behind in India’s digital journey.”

Ms. Noopur Chaturvedi, Managing Director & CEO, NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited added, “The Bharat Connect platform is designed to create a unified and accessible bill payment ecosystem for every Indian. Our commitment to financial inclusion drives us to take this platform to the last mile, ensuring even the most remote corners of the country are empowered with digital payment access. Uptake in bill payment transactions through assisted platforms like Spice Money highlights the pivotal role of last-mile agents in enabling this vision. By integrating with 700+ apps and platforms, Bharat Connect is making digital bill payments not just convenient but truly inclusive, bridging geographies and digital divides alike. We remain steadfast in our mission to strengthen this ecosystem and accelerate deeper digital adoption, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.”

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            Link to first ad film: https://youtu.be/R_qhYgQHFdA?si=nlNtLnMn2_BlyKT1

Bengaluru, June 17, 2025: NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd. (NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has launched an impactful campaign to build trust and drive awareness among customers and billers for its bill payments platform, Bharat Connect. Conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group, the evocative campaign, “Aap Humein Jaante Nahi, Par Maante Hain” (You May Not Know Us, But You Trust Us), focuses on Bharat Connect’s seamless integration into everyday life, empowering bill payments and financial transactions for consumers with unparalleled ease, security, and accessibility. Bharat Connect serves as a unified platform enabling seamless payments for both recurring and one-time bill payments.

Bharat Connect operates as a robust, interoperable platform, seamlessly managing both recurring and non-recurring payments, from utility bills, credit card bills, insurance premiums to loan EMIs and more. Its comprehensive infrastructure weaves through partner platforms, including fintech apps, bank applications, websites and assisted channels, creating a ubiquitous ecosystem for secure and accessible payments across diverse categories.

The nationwide campaign, which unfolds through relatable slice of life situations, will be released in eleven languages to connect with consumers on a personal level. Featuring popular faces including Puneet Issar, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sharib Hashmi, Chandan Roy and Gopal Datt the campaign authentically illustrates the trust millions place in Bharat Connect daily, even if the platform operates behind the scenes. This 360-degree campaign will be rolled out across television, digital platforms, print, radio and out-of-home media.

Speaking about this campaign, Noopur Chaturvedi, MD & CEO, NBBL, said, “Bharat Connect stands as a trusted and inclusive digital infrastructure for bill payments that touches the lives of millions every single day. With this campaign, we aim to make our purpose visible and assure every Indian of ease, safety, and reliability when managing their essential payments. Through relatable instances in this campaign, we aim to reaffirm Bharat Connect’s role in enabling India’s digital future.”

“The insight driving this campaign stemmed from a simple truth: while Bharat Connect powers millions of daily bill payments, its name remains unfamiliar to most. This gap between utility and awareness became the foundation of our narrative — highlighting how a trusted service can be deeply embedded in people’s lives, yet remain invisible” said Gagandeep Bindra & Rahul Arcot, Group Creative Directors, DDB Mudra Group.

Through this integrated campaign, Bharat Connect establishes its commitment to reliability, ease of use, and inclusion across India’s digital payments landscape. By establishing essential awareness for the bill payment platform, Bharat Connect aims to empower households and individuals relying on it for bill payments and financial transactions throughout their daily routines.

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Bengaluru, 30 April 2025: NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to enable recharges for the bank’s RuPay On-The-Go cards enabled with NCMC (National Common Mobility Card). With this integration on the Bharat Connect (BBPS) platform, users can conveniently top up their cards using any Bharat Connect-enabled apps.

The NCMC program simplifies public transit across multiple cities in India. It offers travelers a seamless, hassle-free, and contactless experience on metros and buses with a single card. This integration aims to offer convenience to daily commuters by eliminating the need to wait in long queues at physical recharge points. It promotes cashless transactions while providing users with greater flexibility.

Customers can recharge their Airtel Payments Bank RuPay On-The-Go cards via their preferred Bharat Connect-enabled application by selecting the ‘NCMC Recharge’ option and choosing Airtel Payments Bank. They can enter their mobile number and the last four digits of their card, following which the platform will display the minimum and maximum recharge amounts, along with the existing balance. The use of mobile numbers not only enhances convenience but also mitigates potential security risks, easing the compliance burden for ecosystem, as it eliminates capturing sensitive information like card details.

Customers can top up their Airtel Payments Bank RuPay On-The-Go cards enabled with NCMC with up to Rs 2,000 through Bharat Connect-enabled platforms. After a successful recharge, customers can update their balance by tapping their card on the designated terminal. In addition to prominent metro routes such as Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), and Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation, these cards can be also used at state bus operators.

Speaking on the development, Ms. Noopur Chaturvedi, Managing Director & CEO, NBBL, said, “We are happy to announce the integration of Airtel Payments Bank’s RuPay On-The-Go cards enabled with NCMC on the Bharat Connect platform. Cardholders can skip long queues and conveniently top up their NCMC wallets instantly and securely using any payment app of their choice. This is yet another step towards simplifying digital payments, backed by the reliability, security, and efficiency of the Bharat Connect platform.”

Mr. Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Payments Bank said, “We are delighted to collaborate with NPCI Bharat BillPay to enable seamless recharges, offering unparalleled convenience to our customers. This collaboration allows users to effortlessly top up their Airtel Payments Bank RuPay On-The-Go cards, enabled with NCMC, through any Bharat Connect-enabled app. This partnership highlights our commitment to delivering innovative, user-friendly payment solutions that enhance the mobility experience and foster digital financial inclusion.”

The post NPCI Bharat BillPay onboards Airtel Payments Bank for NCMC enabled RuPay On-The-Go cards as a biller on Bharat Connect  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

BHIM users can now contribute to their existing NPS accounts with ease, eliminating the need to remember complex details. Instead, users can make contributions using just their registered mobile number and minimal customer parameters, making retirement planning as easy as a few clicks. Contributions made through BHIM are fully processed and invested within one business day, ensuring timely investment.

Rahul Handa, Chief Business Officer, NBSL, said, “The addition of NPS contributions on BHIM marks a significant stride in making essential financial services more accessible to millions across India. By enabling NPS contributions directly on BHIM, we are fostering a culture of proactive retirement planning and long-term security for all. This initiative is a pivotal step towards a more resilient nation, showing our commitment to financial inclusion and the evolution of BHIM as a comprehensive financial platform.”

Commenting on the launch, Noopur Chaturvedi, CEO, NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL), said, “We are delighted to have BHIM, now available for NPS investments powered by Bharat Connect. This enables BHIM users to effortlessly contribute to their NPS accounts directly through the app. Our goal is to enhance financial accessibility and inclusivity for all citizens across India, and this initiative is a testament to that commitment.”

The NPS has experienced significant growth, with more than 38.25 lakh retail accounts as of September 2024. This new feature is expected to further drive NPS adoption, helping individuals build a reliable income stream for their post-retirement years.

Here’s how users can avail this feature on the BHIM app:

• Click on ‘View All’ under the ‘Recharges and Pay Bills’ section on your BHIM app home screen
• Click on ‘NPS’ under the ‘Other Categories’ section and enter the following details:

o   Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN) or 10-digit mobile number

o   Date of Birth

o   Tier

o   Contribution Amount

• Tick the checkbox to agree to the Terms and Conditions and tap ‘Get Bill Details’
• Tap on ‘Bill Info’ to review details of NPS investment and the amount breakup
• Select your preferred payment mode, hit/tap ‘Pay’, and complete the payment

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Compared to August 2023, Bharat Connect has more than doubled the number of transactions, with a 250+% year-on-year increase in transaction value.

Bharat Connect offers an interoperable platform for consumers to make both recurring and non-recurring payments, including electricity bills, credit card payments, loan EMI repayments, and more.

Last week, at the Global Fintech Festival 2024, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Shri Shaktikanta Das, announced the expansion of Bharat Connect services through ‘Bharat Connect for Business’ to cater to business enablement platforms, streamlining B2B payments and collections. Furthermore, the new identity of Bharat BillPay, “Bharat Connect,” was officially announced at GFF’24 by Shri Vivek Deep, Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), that encapsulates platform’s comprehensive role and capabilities.

The post Bharat Connect Surpasses 216 Million Transactions in August 2024 appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

RBI Deputy Governor launches include UPI Interoperable Cash Deposit at ATMs

Bengaluru, 30 August 2024: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Shri T. Rabi Sankar today announced the launch of product offerings aimed at transforming the ATM infrastructure in the country. Unveiled in association with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024, the initiatives include UPI Interoperable Cash Deposit (UPI-ICD) and banks showcasing Digital Banking Units (DBUs).

The introduction of UPI ICD allows customers to deposit cash at ATMs operated by banks and white label ATM operators (WLAOs) using UPI to their own bank account or any other bank account without the need for a physical card. These ATMs are cash recycler machines which are used for both cash deposits and withdrawals. Leveraging their mobile numbers linked to UPI, virtual payment addresses (VPA) and account IFSCs, customers can now do cash deposits, making the process more seamless, inclusive and accessible. Consumers will be able to access these features as the banks gradually roll them out.

ATM machines with open architecture can host bank apps positioning them as DBUs offering cash deposits, withdrawals and other banking services such as opening bank accounts, applying for credit cards, initiate fixed deposits, applying for safe deposit lockers, etc.

Additionally, today at the GFF 2024, Shri Vivek Deep, Executive Director, RBI announced rebranding of Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) to Bharat Connect. This is an important step to refresh and strengthen BBPS brand. Bharat Connect embodies NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited’s (NBBL’s) values and vision for stakeholders and customers, going beyond a bill payment system to create an ecosystem that connects individuals and businesses, through an integrated platform.

The launches took place in the presence of Shri Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director, NPCI.

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