New ATM Services could soon make cash machines useful for much more than withdrawing money.
An open-source Android-based ATM solution showcased at Global Fintech Fest 2026 can issue personalised RuPay debit, credit and NCMC cards and generate merchant UPI QR codes.
The initiative, launched by Department of Financial Services Secretary Sanjay Lohiya, is aimed at taking more banking services beyond traditional branches and making them available through self-service machines.
New ATM Services Go Beyond Cash Withdrawals
Under the new model, customers could receive personalised RuPay cards directly from an ATM through a self-service process.
This could reduce the waiting time involved in conventional card issuance and eliminate the need to visit a bank branch for certain card-related services.
The machines are also designed to support services such as cheque deposits, account opening and loan applications.
This means the role of an ATM could expand from a cash access point to a broader banking service point.
The solution was demonstrated at Global Fintech Fest 2026, where attendees could experience the open-source ATM system.
ATMs Can Generate UPI QR Codes Too
The new machines can also generate merchant UPI QR codes instantly.
This could help businesses obtain a QR code for accepting digital payments without depending entirely on a traditional branch-based process.
UPI QR payments are already widely used by merchants across India. RuPay credit cards can also be linked to UPI and used for eligible merchant payments by scanning a UPI QR code.
The new ATM concept brings card issuance and merchant QR-code generation together at a single self-service point, potentially making these services more accessible.
Loan Applications Could Also Be Available
Another planned capability is loan application through the ATM. This does not mean that loans will automatically be approved or disbursed by the machine.
Instead, the ATM is being designed as an additional access point through which customers can initiate banking and lending-related services.
Actual loan approval would continue to depend on the concerned bank or financial institution and its applicable eligibility and assessment process.
Why These ATM Changes Matter
The expanded ATM model is part of a broader push to take banking services closer to customers and reduce dependence on physical branches.
At Global Fintech Fest 2026, other initiatives were also announced to expand access to digital credit and cash services.
For example, eligible Kisan Credit Card and PM MUDRA borrowers can use sanctioned credit through UPI for merchant payments under the newly announced Credit Line on UPI facility.
If the new ATM model is deployed more widely, customers could eventually use a single machine for several services that traditionally required separate visits to a bank branch or other service points.
