World digital funds platform Google Pay has partnered with non-public sector lender Axis Financial institution to launch its first-ever UPI-powered co-branded bank card within the Indian market.

The bank card, named the Google Pay Flex Axis Financial institution Credit score Card, is an Axis Financial institution-issued card constructed on the RuPay funds community and is designed to combine credit score utilization seamlessly into on a regular basis UPI transactions on the Google Pay app.

The businesses stated the cardboard goals to make credit score utilization as easy and ubiquitous as UPI funds for digital-first shoppers.

“Constructed on the RuPay community, the cardboard goals to make the credit score expertise as ubiquitous because the UPI funds individuals make day by day, powered by Google Pay’s handy, safe expertise and Axis Financial institution’s trusted banking experience,” the businesses stated in a joint assertion.

The launch displays a broader business push to broaden credit score entry via UPI, which has emerged because the dominant retail funds rail in India. By combining RuPay’s UPI compatibility with a completely digital bank card expertise, Google Pay and Axis Financial institution are focusing on customers preferring app-based funds and versatile credit score administration.

In keeping with Axis Financial institution, the cardboard has been designed with immediate rewards and versatile compensation choices at its core.

“With UPI rising as the popular mode of fee, we recognized a transparent alternative to co-create a credit score providing tailor-made for the digital-first shopper. This brings collectively Axis Financial institution’s management in monetary options and Google Pay’s cutting-edge know-how to simplify on a regular basis transactions with immediate rewards, versatile compensation choices, and extra,” stated Arnika Dixit, President and Head of Playing cards, Funds and Wealth Administration at Axis Financial institution.

The Google Pay Flex Axis Financial institution Credit score Card is issued on a completely digital foundation. Customers can apply for the cardboard instantly throughout the Google Pay app at zero price, with out bodily paperwork, and start transacting inside minutes.

The cardboard exists solely on the person’s cell phone, permitting entry and management always via the app. Being on the RuPay community, the cardboard can be utilized throughout hundreds of thousands of offline retailers by way of UPI scan-and-pay in addition to for on-line checkouts on apps and web sites.

Prospects earn reward factors, known as “stars,” on each Flex transaction, with a redemption worth of 1 star equal to Rs 1. These rewards will be redeemed immediately on eligible transactions, with out ready for a billing cycle to finish. Compensation and spend administration are dealt with throughout the Google Pay app.

Customers can observe their spending, pay their dues in full, or convert excellent balances into EMIs. The app additionally supplies in-app controls, permitting clients to handle transaction limits, block or unblock the cardboard, and reset their PIN immediately.

Google Pay stated the Flex bank card expertise is on the market solely on its app.

The rollout has begun, with entry being expanded in phases over the approaching months. customers can be a part of the waitlist via the Google Pay software. The corporate additionally indicated that it plans to increase the Flex platform to extra issuing financial institution companions over time, deepening its integration with India’s monetary ecosystem.