Google Pay Launches RuPay UPI Credit Card With Axis Bank, Bringing Instant Rewards to Everyday Payments

Google Pay has partnered with Axis Bank to launch a new RuPay UPI co-branded credit card in India. The card allows users to make UPI QR-based payments on credit, even for small daily purchases, while offering instant cashback and flexible EMI repayment options.

India’s digital payments ecosystem is set for another major shift. Popular UPI app Google Pay, in collaboration with Axis Bank, has launched a new RuPay network co-branded credit card. What makes this card unique is that it can be directly linked to a user’s UPI account, allowing QR-code-based payments while enjoying the benefits of a credit card.

Until now, UPI payments were primarily associated with direct bank account debits. However, the introduction of RuPay UPI credit cards has changed that perception. With Google Pay’s latest offering, even small, everyday transactions—such as purchases at local grocery or ration shops—can now be made on credit, while also earning rewards.

What Is the Google Pay–Axis Bank Co-Branded Credit Card?

This is a co-branded credit card jointly launched by Google Pay and Axis Bank. It operates on the RuPay network and is fully integrated with UPI. Users can simply scan a merchant’s QR code and pay directly using their credit limit, without the need to swipe or tap a physical card.

According to Sharat Bulusu, Senior Director at Google Pay, the focus of this card is not limited to payments alone, but also on enhancing the overall rewards experience for users.

Instant Rewards: The Biggest Game Changer

The standout feature of this card is its instant rewards system. Typically, credit card cashback or reward points are credited only after the billing cycle ends or once the statement is generated. With this Google Pay RuPay UPI credit card, rewards earned on each transaction become available instantly.

This means if a user earns cashback on a transaction, it can be used immediately for the next payment. Google Pay says that UPI’s real-time infrastructure has made this instant rewards model possible.

How the RuPay UPI Credit Card Works

Both RuPay and UPI are platforms operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This shared ecosystem enables RuPay credit cards to be seamlessly linked with UPI. Cards issued on Visa or Mastercard networks cannot currently be connected to UPI.

Users can add the RuPay credit card within the Google Pay app and then use it just like a regular UPI payment option. The only difference is that the amount is deducted from the credit limit, not the bank balance.

Rising Competition in the UPI Credit Card Space

Google Pay is not alone in this rapidly growing segment. PhonePe, India’s largest UPI platform, earlier launched a RuPay credit card in partnership with HDFC Bank, followed by another collaboration with SBI Cards. Paytm had entered the credit card space even earlier, working with banks such as Citi, HDFC Bank, and SBI. Other platforms like CRED and Super Money are also offering UPI-linked credit card solutions.

Why EMI Repayment Flexibility Matters

The Google Pay–Axis Bank credit card also offers flexible repayment options. Users can choose to repay their outstanding amount either in full or through EMIs of six or nine months. According to the company, easy and flexible repayment options are crucial for Indian users, although implementing them requires complex technical systems. This is why Google Pay has placed special emphasis on this feature.

Limited Credit Access in India and a Big Opportunity

According to Sharat Bulusu, only one out of five Indians currently has access to formal credit. By integrating credit access with a widely used platform like UPI, the potential market can expand significantly. The combination of UPI and credit cards is being seen as the next phase of digital finance in India, where payments are not only easier but also more rewarding and accessible.