OTP-free authentication enables eligible Pluxee RuPay prepaid cardholders to verify online transactions using device-bound passkeys
Zeta, a global provider of banking technology platforms and solutions, today announced the launch of passkey-based authentication for RuPay card payments with Pluxee. Enabled on the RuPay network by NPCI, the solution allows eligible Pluxee RuPay prepaid cardholders to authenticate online transactions using a passkey secured on their device, replacing SMS OTPs after one-time registration.
Once registered, cardholders can authenticate subsequent eligible transactions using a fingerprint, facial recognition or device PIN, without waiting for or entering an OTP. Zeta’s implementation has recorded authentication times of approximately 5–7 seconds, compared with 15–25 seconds for conventional OTP flows. Passkey registration typically takes 7–8 seconds, with completion rates of around 99%.
For merchants, the reduced number of checkout steps can help minimise authentication-related drop-offs and improve payment completion. Passkeys also use cryptographic credentials that are resistant to phishing and certain forms of credential theft.
Zeta has implemented the end-to-end journey for Pluxee on RuPay, covering registration, credential management, authentication orchestration and transaction completion. The companies said the launch comes as India’s payments ecosystem moves towards stronger authentication mechanisms beyond conventional OTPs.
Ramki Gaddipati, Co-founder, APAC CEO & Global CTO, Zeta, said, “The RBI’s push for stronger authentication mechanisms beyond OTPs, particularly in the wake of rising digital-payment fraud, is an important inflection point for the industry. The larger shift underway is from authentication based on credentials that can be intercepted or socially engineered to cryptographic trust that can be bound to a device, an identity, and ultimately the context of a transaction.
“Passkeys are an important step in that direction. Over time, we expect authentication to become increasingly invisible, contextual and risk-aware, with stronger assurance built into the transaction rather than added as friction around it. What we are bringing live with Pluxee on RuPay is an early manifestation of how we believe digital-payment authentication will evolve.”
Anish Sarkar, Managing Director, Pluxee India and Director – India/Philippines/Indonesia Cluster, said, “Our cardholders use their Pluxee cards for everyday purchases, making a seamless and secure payment experience a priority for us. Passkey authentication is a meaningful step towards making digital payments simpler and faster, while maintaining strong security. We are pleased to bring this capability to our RuPay cardholders in partnership with Zeta and NPCI.”
Zeta is also working with other RuPay issuers to extend passkey-based authentication to a broader base of cardholders.
