The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) has issued guidelines on ‘Facilitating accessibility to digital payment systems for Persons with Disabilities’ to promote effective access. These guidelines direct payment system participants i.e. banks and authorised non-bank payment system providers (“hereinafter referred to as PSPs”) to take the following steps for aligning their payment systems / devices in terms of accessibility to Persons with Disabilities:
- Review their payment systems / devices in terms of accessibility to Persons with Disabilities.
- Carry out necessary modifications based on review, such that all the payment systems and devices, such as Point-of-Sale machines, can be accessed and used by Persons with Disabilities with ease.
- Adhere to the ‘Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Banking Sector’ as notified by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on February 02, 2024, as applicable, by all PSPs.
- Take reasonable care to ensure that the modifications / enhancements do not compromise security aspects of the systems.
- Submit details of systems / devices that need to be modified, along with a time bound action plan within 11th November, 2024 to the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, RBI via email at dpssfeedback@rbi.org.in along with details of a Nodal Officer who could be contacted, if required, for further queries / clarifications.
Background:
Previously RBI issued the Master Circular on Customer Service in Banks dated July 01, 2015, which contains instructions for scheduled commercial banks to ensure banking services for Persons with Disabilities. Further the Ministry of Finance had also notified the ‘Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Banking Sector’ on 2nd February, 2024. Now considering that all sections of the population, including differently abled persons, are increasingly adopting digital payment systems and to promote effective access, RBI has issued the present guidelines directing PSPs to review their payment systems / devices in terms of accessibility to Persons with Disabilities.
Please refer to the hyperlink below for a detailed read of the Guidelines.
Source: Reserve Bank Of India
