News in Short

• Apple Pay could launch in India as early as October, according to a Reuters report.
• The service may initially support Axis Bank credit cards.
• Apple is reportedly in discussions with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.
• The initial rollout could support Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
• Apple Pay could let users make contactless payments through an iPhone or Apple Watch.

Apple Pay could be preparing for its long-awaited entry into India. A new Reuters report claims that Apple may launch its digital payment service in the country as early as October.

The report cites three sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, Apple is working with Axis Bank for the initial rollout.

Apple Pay has been available in the US since 2014. It has also expanded to several international markets over the years.

India, however, has remained outside the service’s availability despite its rapidly growing digital payments ecosystem.

Axis Bank Could Be the First Banking Partner

The initial Apple Pay rollout could be limited to Axis Bank credit cards.

According to the report, users with eligible cards may be able to add them to Apple Wallet. They could then use an iPhone or Apple Watch to make contactless payments at supported point-of-sale terminals.

Apple is reportedly discussing partnerships with other major Indian banks as well. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are among the institutions mentioned in the report.

However, the report claims that the two banks have not agreed to Apple’s commercial terms so far.

Apple could therefore follow a phased approach instead of making Apple Pay available across banks at launch.

Visa and Mastercard Could Be Supported

The initial service could also have limitations around card networks.

Earlier reports suggested that Apple Pay may initially support credit cards running on Visa and Mastercard networks. The company has reportedly been negotiating with Indian financial institutions over the revenue it could receive from transactions made through its platform.

This means the first version of Apple Pay in India may not offer the same range of payment options users have in other markets.

The availability of additional banks and cards could expand over time.

Apple Pay Could Work Without Opening Another App

One of Apple Pay’s key features is its integration with Apple’s devices.

Once a compatible card is added to Apple Wallet, users can make contactless payments by bringing their iPhone or Apple Watch close to a compatible payment terminal.

The process uses NFC. It means users would not need to open a separate banking or payment application for every transaction.

For iPhone users, this could provide another option for making payments at physical stores.

UPI May Not Be Part of the Initial Launch

The reported rollout could be particularly significant because Apple Pay would enter one of the world’s largest digital payments markets.

However, the service may initially focus on credit card transactions rather than UPI.

Previous reports suggested that Apple was negotiating with Indian card-issuing institutions over commercial arrangements. The initial support for Visa and Mastercard could therefore form the foundation of the service.

The report also says Apple plans to add more lenders through direct agreements with individual banks.

That could mean wider card support will depend on separate partnerships rather than a single industry-wide arrangement.

Apple Has Yet to Confirm the India Launch

Apple has not officially announced an Apple Pay launch date for India. It has also not confirmed its reported partnership with Axis Bank.

Previous reports had already pointed to a possible Apple Pay launch in India during the second half of 2026. The latest report narrows that potential window to October.

For now, the October timeline and the reported banking partnerships should be treated as unconfirmed.

If Apple does launch the service, the initial focus on credit cards could give iPhone and Apple Watch users another contactless payment option. The eventual addition of more banks and payment methods could determine how widely Apple Pay is adopted in India.