Apple is negotiating with major Indian banks to introduce its Apple Pay service in the country by mid-2026, according to reports from *Bloomberg*. The discussions involve ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank, signaling a significant step towards bringing the payment system to a market dominated by UPI (Unified Payments Interface). This move comes after India's central bank recently approved new rules allowing biometric authentication like Touch ID and Face ID for digital payments, replacing the previous SMS-based OTP system.

The timing aligns with Apple's strong performance in India, where it recorded its highest quarterly shipments (5 million units) in Q3 2025, securing fourth place in the market for the first time. Apple Pay, already available in 89 countries globally, faces the challenge of integrating with India's established digital payment infrastructure.