The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay “On-The-Go” National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC), aimed at enabling seamless digital payments across metro systems, buses, and other public transport networks nationwide.
The new cards are expected to be available at all Delhi Metro stations within the next 10 days.
Purpose of the Initiative
The partnership is part of a broader effort to integrate:
- digital payments,
- urban mobility,
- and interoperable transport systems.
The new RuPay-based NCMC cards will allow commuters to use a single card for:
- Delhi Metro travel,
- metro systems in other cities,
- buses,
- and other transit services across India.
Upgrade from Existing Metro Cards
- The initiative marks a significant upgrade over existing Delhi Metro cards, which are currently usable only within the Delhi Metro network.
- The new cards are based on the National Common Mobility Card framework, supporting the government’s vision of:
“One Nation, One Card.”
Card Features
The co-branded cards will be available in:
- debit card format,
- and prepaid payment instrument format.
Key Features Include:
- seamless transit payments,
- interoperable usage across multiple transport systems,
- digital recharge facility,
- reduced dependence on cash,
- and faster commuter movement.
Users will be able to recharge the cards digitally through:
- DMRC applications,
- and Airtel Payments Bank applications.
This is expected to reduce queues at metro stations for card top-ups.
Existing Cards to Continue
DMRC clarified that existing metro cards will continue functioning normally, even as the organisation gradually promotes wider adoption of NCMC-enabled cards.
Importance of NCMC
The National Common Mobility Card initiative is intended to:
- simplify public transport payments,
- improve interoperability,
- support digital financial inclusion,
- and create a unified transit payment ecosystem across India.
The move aligns with India’s broader push toward:
- smart mobility,
- cashless transactions,
- and integrated urban transport infrastructure.
Key Takeaway
The DMRC–Airtel Payments Bank partnership marks a major step toward seamless and interoperable public transport payments in India. The introduction of RuPay-based NCMC cards is expected to improve commuter convenience, promote digital mobility solutions, and support the vision of a unified national transit payment system.