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Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Digital payments refer to the transfer of money or payment of goods and services
through electronic means, such as computers, mobile phones, or the internet. With the
rapid advancement of technology, digital payments have become increasingly popular
and convenient for consumers and businesses alike.
There are several types of digital payments, including mobile payments, online
payments, and peer-to-peer payments. Mobile payments allow users to make
payments through their mobile devices, often using near-field communication (NFC)
technology or mobile apps. Online payments, on the other hand, enable users to pay
for goods and services on the internet through credit or debit cards, digital wallets, or
bank transfers. Peer-to-peer payments allow individuals to transfer money to each
other directly, often through mobile apps or online platforms.
Digital payments offer several benefits, including convenience, speed, and security.
Consumers can make payments at any time, from anywhere, and businesses can
receive payments faster and more efficiently. Digital payments also reduce the need
for physical cash, which can reduce the risk of theft and fraud.
However, there are also risks associated with digital payments, such as hacking and
identity theft. It is important to take appropriate measures to protect personal and
financial information when making digital payments, such as using secure websites
and apps, monitoring bank accounts regularly, and setting strong passwords.
Overall, digital payments are an increasingly popular and convenient way to make
payments, and with proper precautions, they can be a safe and secure option for
consumers and businesses.
By 2023, it is anticipated that 66.6 billion transactions total of $270.7 billion in India will
switch from cash to cards and digital payments.
Digital payments are ones made via digital or internet channels without the exchange of
actual money. Such a payment, which is sometimes referred to as an electronic payment (e-
payment), occurs when money is transferred from one payment account to another in which
both the payer and the payee utilise a digital device, such as a cell phone, computer, credit,
debit, or prepaid card.
A person or a firm could be the payer and payee. This means that in order for digital
payments to be made, both the payer and the payee must have a bank account, an
online banking method, a device from which they can make the payment, and a
medium of transmission. To meet these requirements, both parties must have signed
up with a payment provider or an intermediary, such as a bank or service provider.
Both online and in-person transactions for digital payments can be made to the payee.
For instance, both digital payment transactions would occur if a customer made a
purchase from a local grocer and paid him over UPI while doing so in-person.
Digital payments can be made using a variety of methods, including mobile wallets,
PoS terminals, NEFT, AEPS, and UPI. Having surpassed the threshold of $1 trillion
in transaction value, UPI is the most popular mechanism. According to a research by
"The Economic Times," as more users and businesses use it, internet transactions
have increased by 76% since 2020. By 2025, digital payments will account for 71.7%
of all transactions.
Reserve banks are crucial in India. The RBI of India, which serves as the nation's
Central Bank and plays a critical role, has taken numerous measures to create a solid,
safe, efficient, and secure system. The "Payment and Settlement Systems Act"
governs payment systems in India (PSS Act). For the purpose of establishing and
modernising the nation's safe payment system, the PSS Act was passed into law in
December 2007. A different approach has been used by the central bank. The
country's predominant characteristics of its wide geographic dispersion and the
extensive network of Indian banking system branches need the logistical collecting
and distribution of paper instruments.
With the introduction of electronic payment systems in the late 20th century, the
development of digital payments began to take place gradually.
1. Banking Cards:
Banking cards are plastic cards supplied by financial organizations that let
consumers access their bank accounts to make purchases, withdraw cash, or
send money electronically. They are also known as payment cards, debit/credit
cards, or payment cards. These cards frequently have a chip or magnetic stripe
that saves account information and enables the card to be read by electronic
card readers.
Debit cards are used to make purchases at retailers, withdraw cash from
ATMs, and send money online. They are linked to a customer's checking or
savings account. Typically, in order to authorize transactions, a PIN code must
be submitted.
On the other hand, credit cards give users the option to borrow money from a
financial organization in order to make purchases and subsequently repay the
loan over time, frequently with interest. The maximum amount that can be
borrowed from them often has a credit limit, and in order to avoid late fees and
penalties, the customer is typically required to make at least the minimum
monthly payment.
Advantages:
Cash can prevent against misuse in addition to helping with card payments,
making it highly convenient.
A debit card can be obtained by anyone with a bank account.
Unlike a credit card, a debit card limits a user's spending to the amount that is
available in his account. You should be aware of these 5 debit card benefits.
Limitations:
Advantages:
Limitations:
AEPs are a way to withdraw funds from a bank account. Aadhar data is utilised
for authentication purposes in this context. For a variety of banking transactions,
including cash deposits, cash payments, cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and
fund transfers, among others, from bank AEPs. Aadhar verification is used in all
financial operations. With this technique, there is no need to visit a branch,
provide card information, or sign any paperwork. With a valid Aadhar number, it
is quite easy to use.
Advantages:
Because fingerprints cannot be faked, AEPs are extremely quick and secure.
Neither a debit card nor a signature are necessary with this approach. With
correspondent accounts, there is no need to go to the bank.
For AEPs transactions, the person must supply their Aadhar number, bank IIN,
or name and fingerprint. UIDAI may impose a small fee for offering these
services.
The union government covered all AEP costs up until December 31, 2019,
which is the most significant factor. Thus, AEP transactions were free prior to
then.
Limitations:
UPI transactions can be started and finished with the help of a mobile app, and
because they are processed in real-time, the recipient receives the payments
nearly immediately. Because of this, UPI is a very practical and effective
payment option for both individuals and companies.
Advantages:
Limitations:
To utilise a mobile wallet, a user must download an app. A mobile wallet can hold
many pieces of information, including encoded account and card information. The
mobile wallet can be used for payments and purchases, but first, one must add
funds to his virtual wallet. There are many mobile wallet apps accessible in the
nation, including Paytm, MobiKwik, which is free. For the service provided, there
can be a transaction fee. A mobile wallet is secure. Compared to physically
swiping cards, it is safer.
Advantages:-
Limitations:-
Mobile wallets are not accepted everywhere, and not all merchants have the
infrastructure to accept mobile wallet payments.
Mobile wallets may not offer all the features and services that are available
with traditional bank accounts, such as cheque deposits and ATM
withdrawals.
Mobile wallets require a stable internet connection and a compatible device to
function properly. Technical glitches or network outages can disrupt
transactions and cause inconvenience to users.
Mobile wallets are vulnerable to fraud and hacking, which can result in the
loss of funds or sensitive information. Users need to take appropriate security
measures, such as setting strong passwords and avoiding using public Wi-Fi,
to prevent such incidents.
It require money to be loaded in order to be used for purchases. The debit card and
the customer's bank account must be linked; the bank account may not be linked
with a card. A depository account may be at risk via a banking card. There are
many different kinds of cards, including credit cards, debit cards, and ATM cards.
Plastic cards with magnetic stripes are issued by banks. This card contains an
identification code that a machine will read. The card that banks issue contains the
client's name, the name of the issuer, and the card number. The first bank card was
issued by Barclays in London.
Advantages:
Benefits include the fact that bank-prepaid cards do not require a credit check
and that banks cannot provide credit, preventing debt accumulation.
Prepaid credit and debit cards are functional.
A lot of prepaid cards provide cashback advantages.
Limitations:
A portable gadget known as a PoS Terminal, or point of sale terminal, can read
credit cards. It is set up so that debit and credit cards can be used to make
purchases. Several POS terminal types include physical POS, mobile POS, and
virtual POS. Holden, 2021
Advantages:
It simplifies the accounting process, gives detailed sales data, lowers staff
turnover, and makes managing employee work schedules easier.
Its controls and user error reduction.
It offers concise receipts and is extremely quick. 2018's Kanaya.
Limitations:
POS systems can be expensive to purchase and install, especially for small
businesses. The cost of hardware, software, and maintenance can be a
significant investment for businesses.
POS systems require a stable internet connection and proper maintenance to
function properly.
Some POS systems may not support all types of electronic payments, such as
mobile wallets or cryptocurrency.
Merchants need to take appropriate security measures, such as using
encryption and strong passwords, to prevent such incidents.
8. Internet banking:
Advantages:
Limitations:
9. Mobile banking:
The practise of using a smartphone to conduct financial or banking transactions. It
is the primary function of mobile wallets, digital payment apps, UPI, and other
similar services. Many banks today have released their own apps that customers
may download and utilise.
With the advent of Short Messaging Service (SMS) technology in the early 2000s,
the idea of mobile banking first became popular. Customers might use text
messages to access their account information and carry out simple banking tasks
like checking account balances and transferring money.
Advantages:
The first and most significant advantage of mobile banking is that it can save
time as bank visits are not necessary.
With enhanced efficiency, frauds can be decreased and it is highly convenient
and secure to make payments or access bank accounts.
Usually speaking, an internet connection is not necessary.
Limitations:
10. ATM:
Advantages:
Limitation:
The cash cannot be completely replaced by using ATMs everywhere and the
fact that many online scams use stolen bank information.
Security: Digital payments are protected against fraud and identity theft by many
layers of encryption and verification.
Cost-effective: Digital payments are frequently less expensive than conventional ones.
Physical transaction fees are not charged, and processing fees are frequently lower.
Digital payments are perfect for persons who live in rural places or have limited
access to traditional banking services because they are accessible to anyone with a
smartphone or computer.
Transparency: Users can easily keep track of their spending thanks to the transparency
of digital payments, which have thorough transaction records.
4. Education: Many people are either unfamiliar with or unsure of how to use
digital payments. Programs for education and training can aid in spreading
awareness and encouraging the use of digital payments.
1. Paying Systems: In India, payment methods like Paytm, Google Pay, PhonePe,
and others have grown in popularity. Credit/debit cards, net banking, and
mobile wallets are just a few of the payment methods that are available
through these gateways.
Overall, with more and more individuals utilising them every day, digital payments
have become a vital aspect of the Indian economy. Although there are still issues to be
resolved, digital payments in India have a bright future.
Due to the convenience, security, and speed of digital payment, it has gained
popularity on a global scale. Following are some examples of global trends and
advances in digital payments:
E-wallets: These digital wallets, which allow users to store their payment information
and make purchases, have become more popular in recent years. Worldwide
popularity has increased for payment systems like PayPal, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Contactless payments: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of contactless
payments, commonly referred to as tap-and-go. Near-field communication technology
is used in this payment method to facilitate transactions without making physical
contact.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are two examples of cryptocurrencies that have grown in
popularity as alternative digital payment systems. Despite being in its infancy, several
businesses have begun to accept cryptocurrency as payment.
Regulatory structure: Governments all across the globe are enacting legislation to
encourage the adoption of digital payments because they understand how important
they are. To enhance competition and innovation in the payment business, the
European Union, for instance, created the Payment Services Directive.
Overall, digital payment has assimilated into the global economy and is predicted to
develop more in the years to come.
For the past few years, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for digital
payments has been gradually rising. The global market for digital payments was
estimated to be worth $4.1 trillion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of
13.7% between 2020 and 2025 to reach $8.5 trillion.
More individuals are remaining at home and depending on online transactions for
their everyday requirements as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, which has
hastened the adoption of digital payments. The simplicity and security of digital
payments have grown commonplace among consumers, thus it is anticipated that this
trend will continue in the post-pandemic future.
After the demonetization campaign in 2016, which caused a boom in the use of digital
payment systems, India has seen substantial growth in the area of digital payments.
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the digital payments market in India is
projected to expand at a CAGR of 20.2% between 2020 and 2025.
The growth of digital payments is also being fueled by the expanding use of
smartphones and the internet, as well as the accessibility of low-cost digital payment
options. The adoption of digital payments has been further accelerated by the growth
of e-commerce and the desire for contactless payment solutions.
In general, the continuous digital revolution and shifting consumer behaviour are
projected to keep the CAGR in digital payments robust in the upcoming years.
Digital payments have gained significant traction in Gujarat, a state located in western
India. With the Indian government's push towards a cashless economy, several
initiatives have been taken to promote digital transactions in Gujarat.
The Gujarat government has launched various initiatives to promote digital payments,
including cashback offers and incentives to encourage consumers to use digital modes
of payments. The state government has also taken steps to promote digital literacy and
awareness about digital payments among citizens.
In addition, various private players, including banks, e-wallet providers, and payment
gateway providers, have also launched several digital payment options, such as UPI,
mobile wallets, and internet banking, to facilitate cashless transactions in Gujarat.
According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Gujarat ranks among the top ten states
in terms of the volume of digital payments transactions. In the financial year 2020-21,
the state recorded a total of 918.1 million digital transactions, with a total value of
INR 6.9 trillion.
Overall, digital payments in Gujarat are gaining momentum, and the state
government, along with private players, is taking significant steps to promote digital
transactions and create a more cashless economy.
Gujarat has joined the movement to make India a cashless nation since the prime
minister first declared it. The public was educated about the cashless system through a
variety of training and awareness activities. Such a program's major objective was to
promote digital payments and make people aware of how they might alter society. A
programme like this includes training for adolescents, communities, Anganwadi
workers, and Asha workers. Cashless transactions have become extremely common
since demonetization.
The following are some of the several digital transaction platforms: NFC or MST
transmission wave’s platform; Sound-based payments platform; Mobile Money
Identifier; UPI App-based payments platform; QR code-based payments system;
Aadhar enabled payment system; Net banking payments platform; Digital Wallet
Payment System; Magnetic stripe cards.
Some well-known Gujarati temples accept donations via e-wallet and ATMs to
encourage digital transactions. They also introduced swipe machines for this reason.
For the "Prasad," the trust has also begun to accept electronic payments. (Gujarat
temples start accepting offerings without cash, 2016) A major factor in any nation is
the growth of the central bank's national payment system.