Ans. In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 18 read with Section 10(2) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act), RBI has issued these Master Directions.

Ans. The list of PPI issuers is available on the RBI website at the links https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/bs_viewcontent.aspx?Id=2491 (bank-PPI issuers) and https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/PublicationsView.aspx?id=12043 (non-bank PPI issuers).

Ans. These PPIs are issued by an entity for facilitating the purchase of goods and services from that entity only. Cash withdrawals are not permitted. These instruments cannot be used for payment or settlement for third party services. The issuance or operation of such instruments is not classified as a payment system requiring approval / authorisation by RBI and are, therefore, not regulated or supervised by RBI.

Ans. PPIs that require RBI approval / authorisation prior to issuance are classified under two types:

1. Small PPIs (or minimum-detail PPIs): These PPIs are issued by banks and non-banks after obtaining minimum details of the PPI holder. These PPIs can be used for purchase of goods and services at a group of clearly identified merchant locations / establishments which have a specific contract with the issuer (or contract through a payment aggregator / payment gateway) to accept the PPIs as payment instruments. Funds transfer or cash withdrawal from such PPIs is not permitted.

2. Full-KYC PPIs: The PPIs are issued by banks and non-banks after completing Know Your Customer (KYC) of PPI holder. These PPIs can be used for purchase of goods and services, funds transfer or cash withdrawal.

Ans. Small PPIs can be of two types:

1. PPIs upto ₹10,000/- (with cash loading facility). These PPIs shall be converted into full-KYC PPIs within 24 months.

2. PPIs upto ₹10,000/- (with no cash loading facility).

Ans. Yes, the cash loading of PPIs is limited to ₹ 50,000/- per month subject to overall limit of the PPI (not permitted in one type of Small PPI). The limit on loading of PPIs via electronic / online means is subject to overall limit of the PPI.

Ans. The minimum details in both types of Small PPIs are same and are as under:

1. mobile number verified with One Time Password (OTP); and

2. self-declaration of name and unique identity / identification number of any mandatory document or Officially Valid Document (OVD) or any such document with any name listed for this purpose in the RBI’s Master Direction on KYC. The present list of mandatory document / OVDs include passport, driving licence, voter's identity card, NREGA job card, proof of possession of Aadhaar number and letter issued by the National Population Register.

Ans. Both types of Small PPIs are reloadable and shall be used only for purchase of goods and services. Their salient features are as follows:

PPIs upto ₹10,000/- (with cash loading facility):

1. The amount loaded during any month shall not exceed ₹10,000/-;

2. The total amount loaded during the financial year shall not exceed ₹1,20,000/-;

3. The amount outstanding at any point of time shall not exceed ₹10,000/-;

4. The total amount debited during any given month shall not exceed ₹10,000/-;

5. These PPIs shall be converted into full-KYC PPIs within 24 months; and

6. Loading / Reloading can be by cash or electronic means.

PPIs upto ₹10,000/- (with no cash loading facility):

1. The amount loaded during any month shall not exceed ₹10,000/-;

2. The total amount loaded during the financial year shall not exceed ₹1,20,000/-;

3. The amount outstanding at any point of time shall not exceed ₹10,000/-;

4. Loading / Reloading shall be from a bank account / credit card / full-KYC PPI; and

5. The Small PPIs (with cash loading facility) existing as on December 24, 2019 can be converted to this PPI, if desired by the PPI holder.

Ans. A Small PPI (with cash loading facility) can be held for a maximum period of 24 months only. The 24 months shall be counted from the day of opening such a PPI. Within this period of 24 months, it has to be converted into a full-KYC PPI failing which, no further credit in such PPI shall be allowed. However, the PPI holder shall be allowed to use the available balance.

Ans. The salient features of ‘Full-KYC’ PPIs are as follows:

1. Reloadable in nature;

2. The amount outstanding shall not exceed ₹2,00,000/- at any point of time;

3. There are no limits prescribed for total credits or debits during a month; and

4. They can be used for purchase of goods and services, cash withdrawal and funds transfer.

Ans. PPI issuer is responsible for verifying that the bank account pertains to the PPI holder for which it may devise suitable methods of verification.