Apple Pay launches on Axis Bank cards only.

Apple Pay cannot scan a Unified Payments Interface QR code, the rail behind Google Pay’s Indian payments.

It stores Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards for contactless taps on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

Apple’s Jennifer Bailey discussed expanding bank support beyond Axis, but no other issuer is live.

How each outlet framed it

drawn from 100+ reports worldwide · These outlets told this story very differently.

Mashable India
contrasts Apple Pay's card-only launch with Google Pay's UPI-centric model in India's dual payment-system ecosystem
Economic Times
interviews Apple VP Jennifer Bailey on India launch timing, expansion roadmap for UPI support, and strategic rationale

Sources: Mashable India, Economic Times