As a responsible and tech-savvy citizen, I use the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), which is a safe and efficient payment system promoted by the Indian government. When using UPI, I expect zero-cost instant transactions, minimizing the financial burden on my everyday transactions. However, the imposition of convenience fees on the UPI payment method used in the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) application is hindering this expectation.

The IRCTC app provides a valuable service to millions of Indian citizens, facilitating easy railway booking. However, the charge of convenience fees on UPI payments is an unexpected irrational cost, against the government's initial zero-cost promise. This action not only imposes an additional financial burden on everyday users, but it also contradicts the push for digital, cashless transactions our government is promoting.

The Reserve Bank of India and National Payments Corporation of India have done rigorous work to build and promote UPI as a zero-cost transaction avenue to increase digital transactions in India. As of 2020, UPI recorded monthly transactions worth over Rs. 4 lakh crore, indicating its exceptional adoption by Indian citizens (source: Reserve Bank of India report, 2020).

We, therefore, request the Indian Railways and the Ministry of Railways to consider this appeal and remove the convenience fees on UPI payments in the IRCTC application. Convenience shouldn't come at an extra cost in a digital India. Please, sign this petition to help make UPI transactions on IRCTC app genuinely convenient and cost-free.