Apple Pay is now available in India after the company struck a partnership with Axis Bank, the nation’s third‑largest private lender. The launch, announced on September 30, gives the payment service its first presence in one of the world’s biggest digital‑payments markets.
Axis Bank leads the rollout
Axis Bank will be the first Indian bank to provide Apple Pay, initially to customers who hold credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. Cards issued on India’s domestic RuPay network are not eligible for the service at this time. According to central‑bank data, Axis Bank is the country’s fourth‑largest credit‑card issuer, with 16.3 million cards outstanding as of August, out of roughly 124 million cards nationwide.
Apple’s vision for India
“India is home to a dynamic and digitally savvy population that continues to embrace a cashless future while expecting the highest standards of security and privacy, and we’re so excited to bring Apple Pay to users in India today,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, in a statement.
How the service works
Indian users can add eligible Visa or Mastercard credit cards through the Axis Bank mobile app or directly within Apple Wallet. Once added, payments can be made in stores, within apps, and online using an iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad. Apple Pay enables contact‑less transactions without the need to enter a card PIN or one‑time password, relying on Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode for authentication.
Broader market context
The launch expands Apple’s reach into the world’s most populous country, a market where the service has previously been unavailable. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a real‑time bank‑transfer system, accounts for about 84 % of digital‑payment volumes and is the world’s largest retail fast‑payment system by transaction volume, according to a 2025 IMF report.
Apple has also been in talks with larger Indian banks HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, but commercial terms have not yet been finalized, Reuters reported earlier this month.
Implications for consumers and merchants
For Indian consumers, the addition of Apple Pay offers a new, secure way to make purchases without carrying physical cards. For merchants, the service provides another channel to accept digital payments, potentially increasing sales among customers who prefer Apple’s ecosystem.
As the digital‑payments landscape in India continues to evolve, Apple’s entry underscores the growing importance of secure, contact‑less payment solutions and highlights the country’s rapid adoption of fintech innovations.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
