IRCTC and SBI Card launch Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform
IRCTC of Indian Railways and SBI Card launch Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform
“We are strongly committed in making Railways ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ in all the fields with ‘Make In India’ initiatives as envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister.”-says Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal
In yet another initiative towards pursuance of the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make In India’ and towards fulfillment of the mission of Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in achieving greater self reliance for ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ and engaging with the world from a position of strength, IRCTC and SBI Card together launched their new Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform. The new credit card was dedicated to the service of the nation today by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal said “We are strongly committed in making Railways ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ in all the fields with ‘Make In India’ initiatives as envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The IRCTC SBI co-branded card working on RuPay Platform is one of the many “Make In India” activities undertaken by the Railways”
With the aim to offer a safe transaction environment to the customers, the new RuPay credit card is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology whereby the users can expedite their transactions at the POS machines by just tapping the card on the machines without requiring to swipe the card.
Designed to reward frequent railway travellers, the new co-branded credit card offers the rail passengers maximum savings proposition on their travel together with exclusive benefits on retail, dining and entertainment as well as transaction fee waivers.
The Cardholders will receive up to 10% value back on 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, Executive Chair Car & AC Chair Car bookings made at IRCTC website. The card also offers online transaction fee waiver (1% of transaction amount), 1% fuel surcharge waiver and 4 premium lounge free access at Railway stations in a year (one per quarter). The users of the card will receive 350 Bonus Reward Points upon activation of the card with a minimum spent. The users can redeem the accumulated reward points against purchase of train tickets on IRCTC’s ticketing website. In addition to savings on rail travel, the IRCTC SBI card offers several benefits for online shopping portals. Customers can avail discounts while shopping at e-commerce sites.
With RuPay’s increasing market share and gaining popularity among Indian customers, the RuPay powered IRCTC SBI Cobranded Credit Card is yet another step to provide RuPay users a delightful shopping experience.
The new co-branded credit card together substantiates the commitment of IRCTC, SBI Card and RuPay for promoting the Digital India initiatives and aims to ensure a safe, convenient and improved travel experience for the rail passengers.
Here’s the updated and verified overview of the IRCTC – SBI Co‑Branded Contactless Credit Card, launched on the RuPay platform, with NFC-enabled tap-to-pay functionality:
Contents
🚀 Launch & Strategic Background
- Launched on 28 July 2025 by IRCTC, SBI Card, and NPCI (RuPay), the card was dedicated via virtual ceremony by Minister Piyush Goyal, promoting initiatives like “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”, Digital India, and Make in India
- It’s the first card of IRCTC by SBI on the RuPay network, offering a purely Indian payment solution with contactless NFC support
✳️ Key Features & Benefits
Travel & Rail Booking Benefits
- Up to 10% value back (reward points) on tickets booked for AC 1, 2, 3; Executive or AC Chair Car classes via IRCTC website/app
- 1% waiver on transaction fees for IRCTC ticket booking made on the IRCTC portal
Rewards & Redemptions
- 350 bonus reward points on activation (minimum spend ₹500 within 45 days)
- Earn 1 reward point per ₹125 spent on non-fuel retail (including IRCTC rail bookings), redeemable on IRCTC (1 point = ₹1)
Contactless & Retail Perks
- NFC contactless payments via tap-to-pay at POS terminals—no signature or swipe needed
- 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (primary cardholder only, one per quarter) at participating stations
- Discounts across partner platforms: e‑commerce, wellness, dining, pharma, and retail (e.g. BigBasket, Ajio, Medlife, RideToFit) via RuPay network collaborations
💳 Fees & Charges
- Joining & Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (renewal fee ₹500)
- Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% on transactions between ₹500–₹3,000 (max ₹100 per statement)
- Standard finance charges (~3.75%/month) and penalty fees apply per SBI Card policy
📋 Summary Table
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | 28 July 2020 |
| Platform | RuPay (NFC-enabled Contactless Credit Card) |
| Rail Booking Benefit | Up to 10% value back on select AC/Chair Car bookings |
| Transaction Fee Waiver | 1% on IRCTC bookings |
| Welcome Offer | 350 bonus points on eligible activation |
| Reward Accrual | ₹1 point per ₹125 spent on retail/non‑fuel spends |
| Lounge Access | 4 visits/year (railway lounges, primary cardholder only) |
| Fuel Discount | 1% waiver on fuel transactions (₹500–₹3,000) |
| Retail Offers | Discounts on e‑commerce, pharma, lifestyle per RuPay tie‑ups |
✅ Final Takeaway
The IRCTC‑SBI RuPay Contactless Card is tailored for frequent Indian railway passengers—offering cashback, waived fees, lounge access, and NFC convenience. Its integration into the RuPay ecosystem aligns with national digital payment goals and enhances accessibility across diverse cardholder segments.
Would you like help with:
- Checking eligibility criteria or application process?
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