THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
MUMBAI,
APRIL 13, 2026
Bank of Baroda and
Reliance Jio on Monday announced a strategic partnership to launch bob World
Lite, a first-of-its-kind comprehensive mobile banking application designed
specifically for feature phone users. The app will debut on the JioPhone Prima
4G, marking a significant step towards advancing digital inclusion across
India.
Aligned with the vision
of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to expand access to
digital payments, this initiative aims to empower millions of feature phone
users with seamless and secure banking services. The app will be available not
only to existing Bank of Baroda customers but also to users from other banks
through a simple and user-friendly self-onboarding process.
Unlike traditional
mobile banking applications that require smartphones, bob World Lite has been
purpose-built for affordable feature phones. Its lightweight, low-bandwidth
architecture, coupled with intuitive keypad navigation and robust security
features, ensures a smooth and accessible user experience — particularly for
customers in semi-urban and rural regions.
The application
currently offers a range of essential banking services, including UPI-enabled
Scan & Pay, fund transfers, bill payments, mobile recharges, and profile
management. Additional features are expected to be introduced in the coming
phases. Under the partnership, bob World Lite will come pre-installed on
JioPhone Prima 4G devices and will be easily accessible from the home screen,
while existing users can download it via the JioStore.
Dr. Debadatta Chand,
Managing Director & CEO of Bank of Baroda, said, “Driving digital inclusion
remains a core priority for us. While bob World caters to retail customers and
bob World Business serves merchants, SMEs and corporates, bob World Lite
extends banking services beyond the smartphone ecosystem. With a large base of
feature phone users in India, this initiative enables secure, anytime banking
while helping bridge the digital divide. It also opens up new opportunities to
engage with a wider customer base, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive and
sustainable growth.”
Dr. Sunil Dutt, President of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, added, “At Jio, our focus has always been on making digital services accessible to every Indian through affordability and scale. JioPhone has played a pivotal role in this journey by placing digital tools in the hands of millions. Our partnership with Bank of Baroda marks the next phase—bringing seamless, secure, and user-centric digital banking to feature phone users across the country.”
By combining Jio’s extensive digital ecosystem with Bank of Baroda’s strong nationwide presence and diverse customer base, the collaboration is expected to significantly expand the reach of digital banking services, further accelerating financial inclusion in India.
