FASTag portability 'OneTag' launched on NHAI Rajmargyatra app
Synopsis
India's 13 crore FASTag users can now switch their issuer bank without peeling off their windshield tag — NHAI's new 'OneTag' service on the Rajmargyatra app brings mobile-number-portability logic to highway tolling, and could shake up competition among issuer banks.
Key Takeaways
NHAI launched 'OneTag' FASTag portability on the Rajmargyatra app on 17 September 2026 .
Users can switch issuer banks while retaining the same physical FASTag and FASTag ID .
The process requires a six-digit Mobile Verification Code (MVC) from the current issuer, followed by new issuer onboarding.
Previous issuer will refund the wallet balance after portability is completed.
A six-month cooling period applies before the same tag can be ported again.
FASTag has over 98% penetration and approximately 13 crore users on national highways.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Thursday, 17 September 2026, announced that 'OneTag' — a FASTag portability service — is now live on its Rajmargyatra app, allowing users to switch their FASTag issuer bank without replacing the physical tag on their vehicle. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed the rollout, calling it a step toward a more flexible and interoperable digital tolling ecosystem.
What OneTag Does
OneTag enables FASTag holders to transfer their account from one issuer bank to another while retaining the same physical tag affixed to their vehicle. The existing FASTag ID linked to the vehicle registration number remains unchanged throughout the process, meaning users face no disruption at toll plazas during or after the switch.
According to the NHAI, the initiative is also expected to reduce operational costs by lowering the need for repeated tag production, cutting dispatch and reissuance expenses across the ecosystem.
How to Use the Portability Service
Users can access the service by logging into the Rajmargyatra app and entering their vehicle registration number to check eligibility. The current issuer bank will then send a six-digit Mobile Verification Code (MVC) for authentication. Once verified, the user selects a new issuer bank, completes customer verification, and onboards a wallet with the new issuer to finalise portability.
After a successful switch, the previous issuer will close the existing FASTag wallet and refund the available balance, subject to applicable adjustments. Notably, a cooling period of six months applies before a ported FASTag can be switched again.
Scale and Context
FASTag currently commands a penetration rate of over 98% across national highways, with approximately 13 crore users nationwide. Since its rollout, it has fundamentally transformed the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system in India, drastically reducing cash transactions at toll booths and cutting vehicle queuing times.
This comes amid the Centre's broader push to deepen digital infrastructure on national highways. The introduction of issuer portability mirrors similar moves in the mobile telecom sector — where number portability became a key driver of competition and consumer choice — now applied to the tolling space.
What It Means for Highway Users
The change gives FASTag users meaningful leverage: they can now move to an issuer offering better wallet features, customer service, or cashback benefits without the friction of replacing their windshield tag. Industry observers note this could also intensify competition among issuer banks to retain and attract FASTag customers, potentially improving service quality across the board.
The NHAI has indicated that OneTag will contribute to a more interoperable and efficient FASTag ecosystem, with further enhancements to the Rajmargyatra app expected in the coming months.
Point of View
The issuer-bank market is large enough for portability to meaningfully shift competitive dynamics, forcing banks to compete on service and benefits rather than lock-in. What the NHAI hasn't addressed publicly is how swiftly issuer banks will process refunds of existing wallet balances, and whether the six-month cooling period is consumer-friendly enough to encourage actual switching. The real test of OneTag's impact won't be its launch — it will be adoption rates six months from now.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OneTag FASTag portability service?
OneTag is a FASTag portability service launched by the NHAI on the Rajmargyatra app that allows users to switch their issuer bank without replacing the physical FASTag on their vehicle. The existing FASTag ID linked to the vehicle registration number remains unchanged after the switch.
How do I use OneTag to switch my FASTag issuer?
Log in to the Rajmargyatra app, enter your vehicle registration number to check eligibility, and authenticate using the six-digit Mobile Verification Code sent by your current issuer bank. You then select a new issuer, complete verification, and onboard a new wallet to finalise the portability.
What happens to my existing FASTag wallet balance after porting?
After a successful port, the previous issuer bank will close your existing FASTag wallet and refund the available balance, subject to applicable adjustments. Users should ensure their contact details are up to date with the existing issuer before initiating the switch.
Is there a waiting period before I can switch again?
Yes. An interoperable FASTag has a cooling period of six months before it can be ported to another issuer again. This restriction applies after each successful portability transaction.
Why is NHAI introducing FASTag portability?
NHAI says the OneTag initiative improves FASTag lifecycle management by reducing the need for repeated tag production, lowering operational and reissuance costs. It is also aimed at enhancing customer choice and increasing competition among issuer banks, similar to how mobile number portability reshaped telecom.
