{
  "id": 8191633,
  "title": "Apple Pay Set To Launch In India Next Month With Axis Bank As First Partner",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/apple-pay-set-to-launch-in-india-next-month-with-axis-bank-as-first",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T06:02:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/apple-pay-set-to-launch-in-india-next-month-with-axis-bank-as-first-partner"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple is poised to launch its Apple Pay service in India next month, with Axis Bank as the inaugural banking partner, according to reports. The payment service's entry into the Indian market, one of the few major economies where it remains unavailable, follows delays due to banking rates and government hurdles. Reuters cites sources familiar with the situation, suggesting Apple's rollout will commence with just one major banking partner before expanding support to other lenders over time. Axis Bank, the fourth-largest credit card issuer in India, has been named as the initial partner. The launch is significant as it would bring Apple Pay to the world's most populous nation, a market where the tech giant has been steadily building its retail and services presence. India's digital payments ecosystem, dominated by UPI-based systems, makes Apple's entry a noteworthy test of its compatibility with existing payment methods. Apple Pay, a contactless mobile payment and digital wallet service, allows users to make payments using iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, or Macs. It securely stores tokenized versions of debit and credit cards on the device, requiring authentication through Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. In addition to retail payments, Apple Pay supports peer-to-peer transfers, transit payments, and integration with loyalty cards and boarding passes. Currently, Apple Pay is accessible in over 90 countries and regions globally, but India has remained a notable exception until now.",
  "summary": "Apple is reportedly set to launch its Apple Pay service in India next month, starting with support for Axis Bank credit cards. The move would bring the payment service to one of the few major economies where it has so far remained unavailable. Apple Pay's entry has been delayed in the Indian market due to bank rates and government hurdles, but it now looks like the tech giant has managed to iron…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "Apple Pay eyes India rollout with Axis Bank, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/apple-pay-eyes-india-rollout-with-axis-bank-sources-say",
        "published": "2026-09-18T04:58:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Apple Pay eyes India rollout with Axis Bank, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/apple-pay-eyes-india-rollout-with-axis-bank-sources-say-8178149",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:07:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
        "title": "Apple Pay eyes India rollout with Axis Bank, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/apple-pay-eyes-india-rollout-with-axis-bank-sources-say-8191237",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:32:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Inc42",
        "title": "Apple Pay May Launch In India Next Month With Axis Bank Partnership: Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/apple-pay-may-launch-in-india-next-month-with-axis-bank-partnership",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:41:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}