With this rollout, Axis Bank cardholders can now verify payments directly through supported Android and iOS devices, reducing dependence on SMS-based OTPs, which are often associated with delays and transaction failures.
The companies said the system is enabled through issuer-level biometric verification and device binding, aimed at improving both speed and security of online payments.
Under the arrangement, PayU handles the merchant-side payment infrastructure and authentication flow, while Axis Bank, through Wibmo (a PayU company), manages biometric verification on the issuer side.
The integration is designed to strengthen fraud controls, including protections against SIM-swap and OTP interception risks.
The launch comes at a time when digital payment fraud cases have risen in India, with RBI-linked data indicating a sharp increase in fraud values in recent years.
The Reserve Bank of India, in its ‘Authentication Mechanisms for Digital Payment Transactions Directions, 2025’, has encouraged stronger authentication methods, including biometric and risk-based systems, in place of SMS OTPs.
Company experts said the feature is intended to reduce transaction friction while improving security. Flipkart said the move aligns with its focus on safer digital commerce experiences, while Axis Bank noted that biometric authentication offers customers a more seamless approval process.
PayU said the initiative is aimed at simplifying payments without compromising security.
The feature is being rolled out initially for Axis Bank card users on Flipkart, with expansion expected in phases.
