The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on December 16, 2025, issued the notification regarding the Update on Lounge Access on Debit cards.
The following has been stated namely: -
• RuPay is shifting to a spend-based benefits model to promote active card usage, align with industry practices, and ensure long-term sustainability of customer benefits.
• Platinum Debit Cards: From April 01, 2026, airport (domestic & international) and railway lounge access will be discontinued; until March 31, 2026, lounge access remains spend-based under the Benefit Management System (BMS).
• Select Debit Cards: From April 01, 2026, lounge access (airport and railway) will be available only on a spend-based basis through BMS.
• Feature Debit Cards (Platinum & Select): Banks may continue to offer lounge access through customized feature card offerings, subject to agreements between issuing banks and RuPay.
• All member banks are advised to update RuPay card products and customer communication in line with these changes and take necessary implementation actions.
[Notification No. NPCI/2025-26/RuPay/045]
