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Terms & Conditions

Applicable to those using Airtel Payments Bank

DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) is an initiative by Government of India launched in January 2013 to transfer benefits and subsidies from various welfare schemes (including LPG subsidy, MNREGA payments, PM‑KISAN, pensions, scholarships, and others) directly into eligible beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Airtel Payments Bank Limited facilitates the receipt and crediting of DBT amounts to Customer accounts as per the instructions received from authorized payment rails and/or sponsoring authorities. Eligibility, timing, and amounts of DBT are determined solely by the sponsoring ministry/department/agency and relevant payment systems (including NPCI and PFMS).

Receipt of government scheme benefits is subject to customer eligibility, respective government scheme guidelines, and successful linkage of Bank account for receipt of DBT and other guidelines as prescribed by the concerned authorities

1.     Definitions

“Airtel Payments Bank” / “Bank” / “APBL” means Airtel Payments Bank Limited, a payments bank authorized by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

“Applicable Law” includes the Aadhaar Act and rules, RBI regulations/circulars/directions, NPCI/UIDAI operating guidelines, Information Technology Act and rules and all other laws/regulations applicable to DBT and payments banks.

“Customer” / “Beneficiary” means an individual holding an active savings account with APBL and seeking/receiving DBT credits.

“DBT” means Direct Benefit Transfer under applicable government schemes.

“NPCI” means National Payments Corporation of India.

“UIDAI” means Unique Identification Authority of India.

“PFMS” means Public Financial Management System or any successor system notified by the Government of India.

“Sponsoring Authority” means the government ministry/department/agency administering a DBT scheme.

2.     Introduction

2.1 DBT aims to transfer subsidy benefits from various Indian welfare schemes directly into Beneficiaries’ bank accounts. To avail DBT benefits, Beneficiaries must ensure to link their bank account to their Aadhaar number (subject to Applicable Law and specific scheme requirements).

2.2 Airtel Payments Bank facilitates the receipt of DBT credits for eligible Beneficiaries, subject to these Terms & Conditions.

3.     Scope of Service

3.1 The Bank provides facilitation services to enable receipt and crediting of DBT benefits into Airtel Payments Bank savings account of the Customer through PFMS or any other payment rails, as may be permitted under the Applicable Law and/or the Sponsoring Authority. The terms & conditions governing Airtel Payments Bank savings account (available at: https://www.airtelpayments.bank.in/static/terms-conditions/savings-account) shall be read in conjunction with these Terms & Conditions.

3.2 The Bank does not determine the eligibility of a Customer for any DBT scheme, the quantum of DBT benefits or any payment schedules and is only responsible to credit the amounts received through authorized channels to the Customer’s account.

4.     Advantages of DBT

Note: The below mentioned advantages are informational in nature and are not intended to act as warranties or commitments by Airtel Payments Bank.

  • The DBT scheme enhances transparency in subsidy disbursement and mitigates risks of diversion or malpractice, thereby reducing fraud and unauthorized intermediary involvement.
  • Subsidy amounts are credited directly to the beneficiary’s designated bank account, eliminating dependency on any third-party agents or mediators.
  • The mechanism facilitates uniform and reliable linkage of beneficiaries across rural and urban geographies, ensuring efficient transfer of government benefits.
  • DBT provides an effective channel for direct engagement between the Government and beneficiaries for the distribution of financial assistance.
  • The system enables centralized communication with citizens and program participants, improving outreach and administrative efficiency.
  • DBT allows precise targeting of eligible beneficiaries, minimizing duplication and leakage of public funds.
  • The initiative encompasses multiple central schemes, including but not limited to LPG subsidy, National Child Labour Project Student Scholarships, Janani Suraksha Yojana, and Dhanlakshmi Scheme.
  • Beneficiaries may link a single bank account with their Aadhaar credentials, as mandated under applicable scheme guidelines, to prevent duplication of subsidy benefits.
  • DBT ensures timely disbursement of grants to financially vulnerable individuals and strengthens the interface between the Government and intended recipients.
  • By reducing systemic inefficiencies, DBT curtails exploitation of public resources and prevents misappropriation or theft during payment distribution.

5.     Consent for DBT (Aadhaar Seeding and Mapping)

First‑time Seeding:

5.1 By submitting your Aadhaar number for seeding, the Customer expressly:


(a) consents to mapping their Aadhaar/UID with their Airtel Payments Bank account to receive DBT benefits;

(b) authorizes the Bank to share/use their Aadhaar details strictly for authentication/verification/mapping purposes with UIDAI, NPCI, the Sponsoring Authority or any service providers engaged for such processing; and

(c) acknowledges that such use shall be limited to DBT facilitation and as may be required under any Applicable Law.

Change of Mapping:

5.2 If the Customer already has their Aadhaar mapped with another bank for DBT, they may elect to change their mapping to Airtel Payments Bank. The Customer hereby consents the Bank to submit such change request and perform the necessary authentication/mapping steps.

6.     Eligibility and Seeding

6.1 The Customer understands that their Aadhaar seeding may not proceed if:

·       The Aadhar details provided by the Customer to the Bank are incorrect;

·       Authentication with UIDAI fails due to a mismatch in data between the details provided by the Customer and the details available on UIDAI servers; or

·       There are any technical failures during such authentication.

6.2 The Customer must have an active savings bank account with Airtel Payments Bank and shall comply with the KYC/AML requirements under the Applicable Laws.

6.3 The Customer hereby agrees to cooperate in case any verification/re‑KYC is required by the Bank or as may be required under any Applicable Laws.

7.     Customer Representations & Obligations

7.1 The Customer represents and warrants that all the information provided to the Bank (including Aadhaar, account details, KYC documents, etc.) is true, complete and accurate in all respects.

7.2 The Customer will promptly update the Bank of any changes to their information and cooperate in verification/re-KYC, as may be required.

7.3 The Customer agrees not to misuse the DBT services, including by submitting any false claims or attempting any unauthorized mapping of the DBT credits.

8.     Processing, Disbursement and Notification

8.1 DBT credits shall be processed in the Customer’s account by the Bank upon successful receipt of requisite funds and/or clear instructions from the authorized payment rails.

8.2 The Bank shall send an SMS/app notification upon successful credit of the Customer’s account, which is subject to telecom/app availability and the notification settings in the device of the Customer.

8.3 The Customer may view the details of the transaction and the statements of their account in the Bank’s mobile application.

8.4 The Bank shall not be responsible for any delays or non‑credit of DBT benefits in the Customer’s account in case the Sponsoring Authority or the payment rails have not sent/approved the transaction, or where any rejection occurs due to mismatches, inactive status, scheme rules, technical failures or any regulatory restrictions.

9.     Termination or Suspension

 

By the Bank


9.1 Airtel Payments Bank reserves the right to terminate or suspend the DBT facilitation (and may deseed Aadhaar mapping with the account of the Customer) in the following circumstances:

  • Account closure: If the Customer’s account with the Bank is closed for any reason whatsoever.
  • Account holder’s demise: In the unfortunate event of the Customer/account holder’s demise.
  • Customer insolvent / legally incompetent: If the Customer becomes insolvent or is declared legally incompetent.
  • Account under litigation: If the Customer’s account is involved in any legal proceedings.
  • Account blocked or frozen: If the Customer’s account is blocked or frozen by Airtel Payments Bank or any regulatory authority.

9.2 In cases of temporary freeze or blockage, the Aadhaar number mapped to the Customer’s account may be deseeded with the option to reseed upon account reactivation, subject to due diligence from the Bank.

By the Customer

9.3 The Customer may choose to delink their Airtel Payments Bank account at NPCI for DBT by providing clear and unequivocal consent to that effect via the Bank’s designated channels.

10.  Fees and Charges

10.1 Airtel Payments Bank does not charge any fees to the Customer for receiving DBT benefits in their account.

10.2 Standard transaction charges may apply as per the prevailing schedule of charges for other banking services offered by Airtel Payments Bank, as may be updated from time to time.

10.3 With effect from 1st May 2026, customers will be eligible for a refund of cash withdrawal charges if they have received any Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) credits in their account during the last six months, subject fulfillment of applicable terms and conditions.

11.  Amendments

11.1 These Terms & Conditions are subject to changes in accordance with notifications or guidelines issued by NPCI, UIDAI or RBI or any other Applicable Laws.

11.2 Any changes to the Terms & Conditions shall be communicated to the Customer through appropriate channels (e.g. app notifications, website, SMS, email), as may be feasible to the Bank.

12.  Privacy and Data Usage

12.1 Airtel Payments Bank respects the privacy of the Customer and is committed to protecting the personal information of the Customer. The Aadhaar details and other information of the Customer provided to the Bank for DBT seeding shall be used only for specified purposes and in compliance with Applicable Laws and regulations.

12.2 Customer’s data may be shared with UIDAI/NPCI/PFMS/Sponsoring Authorities, regulators, auditors or service providers, to the extent necessary for seeding, authentication, credit processing, compliance, fraud control, dispute resolution, and system operations.

12.3 Data retention will be in accordance with the Applicable Laws and the data retention policies of the Bank.

13.  Disclaimer

The Bank acts solely as a facilitator for DBT credits and does not warrant eligibility, timing, continuity or quantum of DBT benefits. Marketing or descriptions of DBT, including “Advantages of DBT” are purely informational and non‑contractual in nature.

14.  Fraud, Misuse and Prohibited Conduct

15.1 The Bank may monitor DBT transactions for fraud risk and compliance purposes.

15.2 Suspected misuse or unlawful activity may result in suspension/termination, reporting to authorities, and any other action under the Applicable Laws.