New Delhi: In a major step towards the convergence of digital payments and consumer credit, Google Pay, in partnership with Axis Bank, has launched India’s first UPI-enabled, fully digital credit card, eliminating the need for a physical card. The product allows users to access credit directly within the Google Pay app, using the familiar UPI interface for everyday transactions.
The new product, called the Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit Card, is issued on the RuPay network and is seamlessly linked to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Designed as a digital-first offering, the card exists entirely within the Google Pay ecosystem and can be used wherever RuPay-UPI payments are accepted—both online and offline.
According to the companies, the entire application process is paperless and fully digital, taking only a few minutes to complete. Upon approval, the credit card is issued instantly and becomes immediately usable, without waiting for physical delivery.
Bridging UPI Convenience with Credit Access
The core innovation behind the Google Pay Flex card is its integration of credit functionality into UPI payments. Users can make merchant payments, peer-to-merchant transactions and online purchases using credit in the same way they currently use UPI-linked bank accounts.
This approach is expected to lower barriers to credit adoption, particularly among users who rely heavily on UPI but have limited exposure to traditional credit cards. By embedding credit within a familiar payment flow, the product aims to make short-term credit simpler, more intuitive and frictionless.
The card is being launched with zero joining fee, reinforcing its positioning as an accessible, digital-only financial product.
Rewards, EMIs and Full In-App Control
The Google Pay Flex card features a transparent ‘Stars’ rewards programme, where users earn reward points on every transaction. Each star is valued at ₹1, and rewards can be redeemed instantly within the app.
All card management functions are integrated into Google Pay, allowing users to:
- Track real-time spending
- Repay outstanding balances
- Convert eligible transactions into EMIs
- Block or unblock the card instantly
- Reset PINs and manage security controls
This eliminates dependence on branch visits or external customer service channels, aligning with the expectations of digital-native users.
What Google Pay and Axis Bank Say
Arnika Dixit, Head of Cards, Payments and Wealth Management at Axis Bank, said UPI has become the preferred payment method for millions of Indians, and integrating credit into that ecosystem was a logical next step. She noted that the partnership aims to deliver a secure, seamless and reward-driven credit experience for digital-first consumers.
Sharat Bulusu, Senior Director of Product Management at Google Pay, said that while digital payments have achieved massive adoption in India, the use of transactional credit remains relatively low. The Flex card, he said, is designed to simplify credit usage by embedding it into everyday payment habits rather than requiring users to adopt new tools or behaviours.
NPCI Support and Ecosystem Impact
The launch has the backing of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which operates both UPI and RuPay. Sohini Rajola, Growth Executive Director at NPCI, said the product aligns with NPCI’s objective of expanding access to secure and flexible digital payment solutions.
She added that combining UPI’s reach with credit functionality could significantly enhance consumer choice and payment flexibility, especially for small-value, high-frequency transactions.
Rollout Timeline
Google Pay users can currently join a waitlist for the card through the app. The rollout will be phased, with broader availability expected by early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and operational readiness.
Why This Matters
The launch marks a structural shift in India’s financial ecosystem, signalling the convergence of real-time payments and consumer credit. By embedding credit into UPI—India’s most widely used payment system—Google Pay and Axis Bank are attempting to redefine how Indians access and use credit: digital-first, frictionless and integrated into daily life.
