Apple Pay set to launch in India with Axis Bank today, sources say

Apple Pay is reportedly launching in India today, marking a significant expansion for the tech giant's digital payment service. According to sources familiar with the matter, Axis Bank will be the primary partner for the initial rollout. While Apple Pay has long been anticipated in the world's most populous nation, the entry is expected to be gradual. Several of India's largest financial institutions have reportedly chosen to hold off on supporting the service at this stage, opting to monitor the initial adoption and regulatory landscape before integrating. The launch represents a strategic move for Apple to capture a share of India's rapidly growing digital payments market, which is currently dominated by local players like UPI-based platforms. As the service goes live, industry analysts will be watching closely to see how quickly other major banks follow suit and whether Apple can successfully navigate the competitive local ecosystem.