Mobile prepaid recharges to be implemented on BBPS by August 31, 2021

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) yesterday in a statement said that Mobile prepaid recharges would be permitted as a biller category on Bharat Bill Payment Scheme (BBPS) issued by the Central Bank on a voluntary basis. The additional of Mobile prepaid recharges as a biller category on BBPS will be implemented on or before August 31, 2021.

RBI had issued guidelines on Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) in 2014 that was started as an interoperable platform repetitive bill payments. BBPS covered five categories namely Direct to Home (DTH), Electricity, Gas, Telecom, and Water.

The BBPS system offers standardised bill payment experience, centralised customer grievance redressal mechanism, prescribed customer convenience fee and ensured availability of a bouquet of anytime digital payment options.

RBI in 2019 expanded the scope and coverage of BBPS covering all categories of billers which raised recurring charges (except mobile prepaid recharges) as eligible participants on a voluntary basis.