In a world where conventional methods of bill payment are usually associated with lengthy queues, paperwork, and complicated processes, the necessity for a streamlined and centralized system has become more apparent than ever.
These limitations have led to the development of a more efficient solution, leading to the inception of the Bharat Bill Payments System (BBPS) by the NPCI in 2017. Over the years, it has transformed the bill payments landscape in India, experiencing a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 73% in volume from 2017-18 to 2022-23. Projections indicate that the transaction volume of BBPS is set to surpass 3 billion by the year 2026! In this blog, we will explore how RBI’s new norms have widened participation in BBPS and the multitude of advantages it offers to the payment ecosystem.
What is BBPS?
BBPS is a centralized platform for bill payments, allowing users to pay and collect bills through various channels, including mobile apps and bank branches. It supports multiple payment methods such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), internet banking, and prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), among others.
About NBBL:
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is authorized to oversee BBPS as the Payment System Provider. It serves as the central platform connecting customers and billers, managing the clearing and settlement of transactions within BBPS.
How RBI Enabling BBPS for wider Participation?
The Reserve Bank of India has updated the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) to allow a broader range of participants and to strengthen customer protection. According to the new guidelines, commercial and cooperative banks, non-bank payment aggregators, and entities authorized as Bharat Bill Payment Operating Units (BBPOUs) can now operate as BBPOUs without needing additional authorization. This update is part of the Reserve Bank of India (Bharat Bill Payment System) Directions, effective from April 1, 2024.
These guidelines enable all PAs, including those with provisional authorization, to operate within BBPS without additional licensing. Non-bank BBPOUs are required to open escrow accounts with a Scheduled Commercial Bank solely for BBPS transactions. Furthermore, banks including scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, urban cooperative banks, state cooperative banks, district central cooperative banks, and other existing BBPOUs can operate within BBPS.
Additionally, under the new regulations, NBBL must establish a dispute resolution framework for managing customer complaints, in line with RBI’s guidelines on online dispute resolution for digital payments. All customer operating units and biller operating units must be connected to the central system, allowing customers and billers to raise and resolve disputes according to NBBL’s dispute resolution framework.
The reference number generated during a BBPS transaction must be used for tracking and resolving disputes. Customer operating units and biller operating units must also address failed transactions within the timelines specified in RBI’s circular on Harmonisation of Turn Around Time and customer compensation for failed transactions using authorized payment systems.
The Future of Bill Payments
The updated guidelines aim to modernize BBPS regulations in light of ongoing changes in payment practices. These changes are designed to simplify bill payments, encourage broader participation, and enhance customer safety. The RBI anticipates that these adjustments will lead to a smoother and more secure bill payment experience.
BBPS is continuously evolving to offer more advanced services and features, paving the way for a promising future. It plans to roll out enhanced features such as personalized notifications to keep users informed, along with more payment channels to increase flexibility.
Another potential benefit on the horizon is a reduction in fees. As BBPS gains wider adoption and economies of scale, transaction costs could decrease, making the platform even more accessible to a broader user base. BBPS is also exploring integration with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, which could boost security and improve user experience. These advancements could lead to smarter payment systems with increased reliability and protection against fraud, further solidifying BBPS’s role in transforming India’s digital payment landscape.