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RuPay Credit Cards on UPI, and Choosing Your Card Network

By PointsExplainedLast reviewed

Check your card's network

Look for the RuPay logo on your credit card. Only RuPay credit cards can currently be linked to UPI at issuers such as Axis Bank.

Add the card in your UPI app

Choose the option to add or link a credit card, select your issuer and card, and verify with the last six digits and expiry date.

Set a separate UPI PIN

Create a UPI PIN for the credit card. It is different from the card's PIN.

Pay merchants and clear the bill

Use the card for merchant payments and pay the full statement balance by the due date to avoid interest.

Where this comes from

Sources

The documents this guide relies on. If one has changed since we read it, the document is right and this guide is out of date.

  1. RBI: Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, 8 June 2022

    RBI statement of 8 June 2022: UPI linked savings/current accounts through debit cards, and PPIs through interoperability; proposal to allow linking of credit cards to UPI, starting with RuPay credit cards, available after system development, with instructions to NPCI issued separately.

    rbi.org.in · Accessed
  2. Axis Bank: RuPay Credit Card

    Axis Bank: RuPay credit card launched by NPCI and issued by Indian banks; RuPay credit cards primarily focused on the domestic Indian market, with limited international acceptance compared with global networks.

    axis.bank.in · Accessed
  3. Axis Bank: Credit Card on UPI (RuPay credit card on UPI FAQs)

    Axis Bank RuPay credit card on UPI: linking with last six digits and expiry; separate UPI PIN; merchant payments via QR or e-commerce; statements and UPI app history; P2M only, no P2P or payment to other credit cards; restricted categories (P2P, P2PM, lending platforms, cash withdrawal at merchant or ATM, IPO, mutual funds, etc.); limits per UPI limits capped at available credit limit; no charges for linking or transactions; reward points per product terms; refunds/chargebacks via bank or UPI app; cannot receive funds; re-register on reissue; only RuPay (not Visa/Mastercard) can be linked.

    axis.bank.in · Accessed
  4. SBI Card FAQs: Raising a card dispute

    SBI Card lists a separate dispute time window for RuPay UPI transactions.

    sbicard.com · Accessed
  5. RBI circular: Arrangements with Card Networks for issue of Credit Cards (RBI/2023-24/131, 6 March 2024)

    RBI circular 6 March 2024: no agreements restraining issuers from using other networks; choice among multiple networks for eligible customers at issue and for existing cardholders at next renewal; not applicable to issuers with 10 lakh or fewer active cards or issuers on their own authorised network.

    rbi.org.in · Accessed
  6. Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Cards and Debit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025 (RBI/DOR/2025-26/155, 28 November 2025)

    Para 5(16): interest-free credit period applies when the entire outstanding is paid by the due date.

    rbi.org.in · Accessed
Questions

About this guide

Can I link a Visa or Mastercard credit card to UPI?

UPI linking of credit cards started with RuPay credit cards, and issuers such as Axis Bank say only their RuPay credit cards can currently be linked.

Can I send money to a friend using my credit card on UPI?

Not at Axis Bank, whose FAQs say only payments to merchants are allowed from a linked RuPay credit card, with person-to-person transfers and cash withdrawals blocked.

Can I ask my bank for a different card network?

If your issuer has more than 10 lakh active credit cards, RBI requires it to give eligible customers a choice among multiple networks when a card is issued, and existing cardholders may be offered the choice at renewal (as of September 2026).
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