Flipkart, in collaboration with Axis Bank and PayU, has introduced biometric authentication for card payments.
The feature allows users to authenticate transactions using fingerprint or Face ID on compatible Android and iOS devices, removing the need for one-time passwords (OTPs). It has been rolled out initially for Axis Bank cardholders through issuer-level biometric verification.
The companies stated that the feature is designed to reduce friction in digital payments by replacing SMS-based OTPs with a faster authentication process. It also incorporates device binding and enhanced security checks aimed at reducing risks such as SIM-swap and OTP-based fraud.
Under the collaboration, PayU manages the merchant-side infrastructure, including device security and authentication flows, while Axis Bank uses Wibmo (a PayU company) for issuer-side biometric verification.
The rollout comes amid rising concerns around digital payment fraud. According to RBI-linked data cited by the company, fraud values exceeded ₹1,400 crore in FY 2024, prompting regulatory focus on alternative authentication mechanisms, including biometrics.
Speaking on the launch, Gaurav Arora, Vice President, Payments and SuperCoins at Flipkart, said, “At Flipkart, our approach to innovation is anchored around robust compliance and consumer trust. The integration of the biometric authentication feature reflects our commitment to building safety into consumer payments at a time when digital fraud risks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. By leveraging secure biometric credentials, we are delivering a payment experience that is intuitive and seamless, while meeting the highest standards of consumer protection. As digital commerce continues to scale, our focus remains on enabling faster transactions while reinforcing the regulatory rigour and ecosystem-wide trust that secure payments demand.”
Arnika Dixit, President & Head – Cards, Payments and Wealth Management, Axis Bank, said, “At Axis Bank, we are constantly working to reinforce trust and security across every digital touchpoint. Customers today expect digital payments to be not only safe but effortless, and biometric authentication delivers exactly that by enabling a secure, one-touch approval experience. We are delighted to introduce this enhanced capability for our cardholders through our collaboration with Flipkart and PayU. This rollout reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to elevating industry standards in both security and customer experience. As digital commerce continues to evolve, we remain focused on bringing innovations that make payments simpler, stronger and future-ready for our customers.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Hemang Dattani, Chief Business Officer, PayU Payments, said, “As digital commerce continues to scale in India, simplifying payments without compromising on security is critical. At PayU, we are proud to partner with Flipkart to enable a biometric authentication experience for card payments, helping customers move past long-standing friction associated with OTP-based verification. By combining biometric authentication with enhanced security controls, this partnership marks a meaningful step towards building a faster, more secure and frictionless digital payments experience for Indian consumers.”
The companies stated that the rollout is aligned with regulatory direction encouraging adoption of biometric and risk-based authentication, and reflects a broader shift towards device-bound authentication in digital payments.
