Flipkart, Axis Bank, PayU roll out biometric card payments

Flipkart, in partnership with Axis Bank and PayU, has introduced biometric authentication for card payments, allowing users to approve transactions using fingerprint or facial recognition instead of one-time passwords (OTPs).

The feature, currently available for Axis Bank cardholders, enables issuer-level biometric verification on supported Android and iOS devices. With this rollout, Flipkart joins a growing set of platforms adopting advanced authentication methods to improve payment security and user experience.

The system replaces SMS-based OTP verification with device-based authentication, supported by enhanced security checks and device fingerprinting. Industry officials said the move is aimed at reducing fraud risks, particularly SIM-swap and OTP interception cases, while improving transaction success rates.

PayU is managing the merchant-side infrastructure, including authentication flows and device security, while Axis Bank is leveraging Wibmo, a PayU subsidiary, for issuer-side verification.

The development comes amid rising concerns over digital payment fraud. According to regulatory data, fraud values in India crossed ₹1,400 crore in FY2024, prompting the Reserve Bank of India to encourage adoption of stronger authentication mechanisms, including biometrics, under its 2025 guidelines.

Company executives said the collaboration aligns with regulatory direction and aims to create a faster, more secure and frictionless payment ecosystem. The rollout is expected to support India’s gradual transition away from OTP-based systems toward more resilient, device-bound authentication frameworks.