Digital Payments, The Need Of The Hour In This Pandemic
Outlook Money|June 2020
The government is actively pushing people to adopt digital payments at present. If earlier, it was for convenience, now with social distancing amid the COVID-19 crisis, it has become mandatory, says Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO, NPCI in a freewheeling interview with Arindam Mukherjee. Edited excerpts:
Dilip Asbe
Digital Payments, The Need Of The Hour In This Pandemic

What kind of growth has the digital payments industry seen in the last two months, ever since the pandemic and lockdown have started?

The offline-to-online switch in payments has been long in coming, however there has been an accelerated shift in consumer behaviour in the recent lockdown scenario due to COVID-19. NPCI has been urging and reaching out to consumers and all service providers of essential services to switch to digital payment methods to stay protected. We are seeing growth in essential categories, online donations, and entertainment on the OTT medium. There has been a dip in volumes as discretionary spends, and some of the segments like travel, hospitality are near to zero.

We are also working with several ecosystem players who are looking at innovative solutions to solve the current problems.

The first big wave was post demonetization when we saw a large scale adoption of digital payments. The second big wave came during the pandemic and lockdown. do we see a larger adoption of digital payments?

The current situation calls for digital payments. Earlier, digital payments were about convenience but in this environment, it is practically mandatory from the safety point of view. That is why the government and Reserve Bank of India are pushing for it continuously. We will eventually come out of the lockdown but to get back to normal will take some time. Just like people will continue to wear masks and wash their hands, it will be equally important to use digital payments.

This story is from the June 2020 edition of Outlook Money.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2020 edition of Outlook Money.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOK MONEYView All
The Future Of Credit Card Usage
Outlook Money

The Future Of Credit Card Usage

Credit card usage is increasing in India, but it's prudent to manage credit wisely

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Liquidity Coverage Ratio Framework
Outlook Money

Liquidity Coverage Ratio Framework

At the recent monetary policy committee meeting in April 2024, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das proposed changes in the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) framework to successfully meet liquidity risk.

time-read
1 min  |
May 2024
STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU STAY ABROAD AFTER STUDIES
Outlook Money

STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU STAY ABROAD AFTER STUDIES

More Indians are now going abroad for higher studies with plans to stay and work. But living costs, the lack of job opportunities and the burden of education loans could often pose a problem. Assess the opportunities and be practical before making such a decision

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
FROM SAVINGS TO SECURITY: HOW INDIANS ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR SUNSET YEARS
Outlook Money

FROM SAVINGS TO SECURITY: HOW INDIANS ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR SUNSET YEARS

The Outlook Money - Toluna Retirement Survey conducted in December-end 2023 threw light on how Indians plan and save for retirement. A growing number of Indians now understand the necessity of retirement planning, and want to enjoy their retirement years with kith and kin

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
Here's How To Install A Solar Panel
Outlook Money

Here's How To Install A Solar Panel

It is the season of solar panel subsidy announcements. Right after the Centre launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to offer subsidies to 10 million households to set up rooftop solar systems, the Delhi government has announced an extra capital subsidy of ₹2,000 per kilowatt (kW) to Delhi residents for rooftop solar panel installation. Both governments have caps on subsidies. Some other states, too, offer incentives on the use of solar rooftop panels.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Master Your Own Money Choices
Outlook Money

Master Your Own Money Choices

Instead of judging others, have clarity about what you want from your money, where you want to spend it and how you want to feel about it

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
3 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE YOU EXIT YOUR POLICY
Outlook Money

3 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE YOU EXIT YOUR POLICY

If you think that the insurance policy you bought doesn't quite align with your goals, you may surrender it. But that comes at a cost. Here's why you should do the calculations

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
Small And Mid Cap Rally: Be Wary
Outlook Money

Small And Mid Cap Rally: Be Wary

You may include small- and mid-caps in your portfolio for diversification, but understand that they may not replicate last year's returns and are relatively more volatile

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE GOLD RUSH?
Outlook Money

HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF THE GOLD RUSH?

The precious metal has been on an upward rally for the last couple of years due to factors as diverse as geopolitical conflicts, bulk buying by central banks, and hope of rate cuts, of late. The key, therefore, is to invest in gold in a staggered manner

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
'People Are Normal. They Are Sometimes Ignorant But They Are Not Stupid'
Outlook Money

'People Are Normal. They Are Sometimes Ignorant But They Are Not Stupid'

Meir Statman, the Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, California, is the second generation of behavioural finance experts who refused to label people as \"irrational\" and instead called them \"normal\". In his latest book, A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance, he expands the circle of finance to include life well-being and shows how they are inextricably intertwined. As part of an interview series, 'Wealth Wizards: Money Maestros in conversation with Nidhi Sinha, Editor, Outlook Money', Statman spoke about his research, and explained concepts through anecdotes that can help you take balanced decisions. Edited excerpts:

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2024