As a student in India, you’re probably balancing studies, maybe a side hustle, and the occasional splurge on Zomato or Myntra. A credit card can make life easier—think seamless online payments, emergency funds, or even building your credit score for future loans. Since most students don’t have a credit history, secured credit cards (backed by a fixed deposit) or entry-level unsecured cards are your best options.
Why Get a Credit Card as a Student?
A credit card isn’t just for spending—it’s a tool to build your financial reputation. A good CIBIL score (think 750+ out of 900) can help you snag loans for a car, house, or even a better card later. Plus, cards offer perks like cashback, discounts, or travel benefits, perfect for a student budget. Secured cards are great for beginners since they’re easy to get (your fixed deposit acts as security), while some unsecured cards are designed for students with minimal eligibility requirements. Use them wisely, and you’re setting yourself up for financial success.
Key Terms to Know
Here’s the lingo you need to understand credit cards:
- CIBIL Score: A 300–900 score showing how reliable you are with money. Above 750 is great; below 500 is trouble. No credit history? You might see -1 (no record).
- Secured Credit Card: Backed by a fixed deposit (FD)—money you lock in a bank for interest (6.5%–9% yearly). The bank uses it as collateral, so approval is almost guaranteed.
- Credit Limit: The max you can spend, usually 90%–100% of your FD for secured cards.
- Joining Fee: A one-time fee when you get the card.
- Annual Fee: A yearly fee to keep the card active. “Lifetime free” means no annual fee.
- Cashback: Money back on purchases (e.g., 5% cashback on ₹1,000 = ₹50).
- Reward Points: Points earned per rupee spent, redeemable for discounts or vouchers.
- Forex Markup Fee: A fee (1%–3.5%) for international transactions in foreign currencies.
- Interest-Free Period: Time (45–50 days) to pay your bill without interest. Pay late, and rates can hit 30%–46% yearly.
- UPI Payments: Fast payments via apps like Google Pay. Some cards support UPI.
- DICGC: Insures your FD up to ₹5,00,000 if the bank fails.
Why Secured or Entry-Level Cards Work for Students
Without a credit history, unsecured cards are tough to get, and rejections can hurt your score, dropping it from -1 to 400–500. Secured cards, backed by an FD, have near-100% approval rates since the bank takes no risk. Entry-level unsecured cards, like those for students, have relaxed criteria (sometimes just a student ID). Both help you build credit if you spend 30% of your limit and pay on time.
Secured cards are the safest way to start—they’re like training wheels for credit. Entry-level unsecured cards are great if you meet the criteria and want no FD hassle.
Top Credit Cards for Students in India (April 2025)
1. SBM ZET Credit Card
A RuPay secured card from SBM Bank via the ZET app, packed with discounts and lifetime free.
Features:
- FD Requirement: ₹5,000–₹5,00,000. Credit limit is 90% of FD (e.g., ₹5,000 FD = ₹4,500 limit).
- FD Interest: 6.5% (7% for seniors).
- Fees: Lifetime free—no joining or annual fees.
- Rewards:
- Up to 20% off on Myntra, Flipkart, Amazon, BookMyShow (e.g., 6% on Myntra fashion).
- Joining perks: Zomato Gold, Gaana Plus, OTT subscriptions, Domino’s/Pizza Hut vouchers.
- UPI Enabled: Link to Google Pay or PhonePe.
- FD Top-Up: Add FDs to increase your limit (up to ₹5,00,000).
- Safety: FD insured by DICGC up to ₹5,00,000.
- Eligibility: Students 18+ with an FD.
- Approval: Guaranteed for FD-based applications.
Students who want discounts on brands like Myntra or Zomato and a flexible, no-fee card. Ideal for beginners or those with low credit scores (350–500).
This card’s a crowd-pleaser—lifetime free, awesome discounts, and flexible FD top-ups. The DICGC insurance gives peace of mind, and UPI support is perfect for quick payments. It’s my top pick for most students.[Forbes]
2. IDFC First WOW Credit Card
A secured card from IDFC First Bank, ideal for international students with zero forex fees.
Features:
- FD Requirement: Minimum ₹25,000. Credit limit is 100% of FD.
- FD Interest: 7.25% per year.
- Fees: Lifetime free—no joining or annual fees.
- Forex Markup: 0% (perfect for global spending).
- Rewards: 3x reward points on UPI payments; 100% cashback (up to ₹50 per transaction, max ₹200) on first four UPI transactions.
- Cash Withdrawal: 45 days interest-free (₹199 + GST fee applies).
- Eligibility: Students 18+ with an FD.
- Approval: High approval ratio.
Students studying abroad or shopping on international sites, or those wanting a no-fee card in India.The zero forex markup is a rare gem for students abroad, and lifetime free means no sneaky costs. The ₹25,000 FD is a bit high, but it’s worth it for international use. Avoid cash withdrawals unless desperate—fees add up.[BankBazaar]
3. SBI Student Plus Advantage Card
An unsecured card from State Bank of India, designed for students with an SBI education loan or FD.
Features:
- FD Requirement: None if you have an SBI education loan; otherwise, FD of ₹5,000+. Credit limit varies (up to ₹1,00,000 for unsecured).
- Fees: No annual fee if you spend ₹35,000/year; otherwise, ₹500 renewal fee.
- Rewards:
- 1 reward point per ₹100 spent.
- 10x points on grocery and departmental store spends.
- 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver (₹500–₹3,000 transactions).
- Forex Markup: 3.5% (standard rate).
- Global Acceptance: Usable at 24 million+ outlets and 1 million+ Visa/MasterCard ATMs.
- Eligibility: Students 18+ with an SBI education loan or FD.
- Approval: High for loan holders or FD-backed applicants.
Students with an SBI education loan or small FD who want an unsecured card with decent rewards. Great for SBI education loan holders since it’s unsecured and has no annual fee with moderate spending. The 10x points on groceries are handy for daily expenses, but the 3.5% forex fee makes it less ideal for international use.[Paisabazaar], [Financial Express]
4. ICICI Bank Student Forex Prepaid Card
A prepaid card from ICICI Bank that works like a credit card, perfect for students abroad.
Features:
- FD Requirement: None (prepaid card; load funds before use).
- Fees: ₹499 joining fee, ₹199 annual fee.
- Forex Markup: 0%–1% (varies by currency).
- Rewards:
- Free International Student Identity Card (ISIC) membership (₹590 value).
- 40% off excess baggage, 20% off DHL courier services.
- Discounts at 1,50,000+ global outlets (valid till March 2025).
- Eligibility: Students 18+ enrolled in foreign universities or traveling abroad.
- Approval: Easy, no credit history needed.
Students studying abroad who need a low-cost way to spend in foreign currencies.This isn’t a true credit card but acts like one for international use. The low forex fee and ISIC membership are awesome for students abroad, but the ₹499 joining fee is a bit steep. Load only what you need to avoid overspending. [Urban Money], [Paisabazaar]
5. Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card
A secured card from Axis Bank with low fees and dining perks, great for students starting their credit journey.
Features:
- FD Requirement: ₹20,000 minimum. Credit limit is 100% of FD.
- FD Interest: 6.5%–7% (check with Axis).
- Fees: ₹500 annual fee (waived on ₹50,000 yearly spend).
- Rewards:
- 2 reward points per ₹100 spent online.
- 15% off dining at 4,000+ partner restaurants.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400–₹4,000 transactions).
- Forex Markup: 2% (better than most).
- Eligibility: Students 18+ with an FD.
- Approval: Near-guaranteed with FD.
Students who dine out or shop online and want a secured card with manageable fees.The dining discounts and low forex fee make this a solid pick for students who love eating out or shopping online. The ₹20,000 FD is higher than some, but the annual fee waiver is achievable with moderate spending.[Jupiter Money], [Trade Brains]
6. Kotak Mahindra 811 Dream Different Credit Card
A secured, lifetime-free card from Kotak Mahindra Bank, ideal for online shoppers.
Features:
- FD Requirement: ₹5,000 minimum. Credit limit is 90% of FD.
- FD Interest: Up to 7%.
- Fees: Lifetime free—no joining or annual fees.
- Rewards:
- 2 reward points per ₹100 spent online.
- 1 reward point per ₹100 spent offline.
- 4 PVR movie tickets or ₹750 cashback on ₹75,000 annual spend.
- Forex Markup: 3.5% (standard).
- Eligibility: Students 18+ with an FD.
- Approval: High with FD.
Students who shop online and want a no-fee secured card with movie perks. Lifetime free and a low ₹5,000 FD make this super accessible. The online shopping rewards are great for students, but the 3.5% forex fee isn’t ideal for international use. Perfect for domestic use and movie buffs.[Urban Money], [BankBazaar]
How to Build Your Credit Score
A strong credit score opens doors to better financial products. Here’s how to build it:
- Keep Spending Low: Use 30% or less of your limit (e.g., ₹1,500 on a ₹5,000 limit).
- Pay on Time: Clear your bill before the due date to avoid 30%–46% interest.
- Use Regularly: Make small purchases (like groceries or subscriptions) and pay them off fully.
- Avoid Cash Withdrawals: They come with fees (e.g., ₹199 + GST for IDFC cards) unless interest-free.
- Monitor Your Score: Check via CIBIL, bank apps, or Google Pay. Beginners can hit 750+ in 3–6 months; low scores (400–500) may take 7–8 months.
Treat your card like a debit card—only spend what you can repay immediately. This keeps you debt-free and builds credit fast.
2025 Trends:
- UPI-enabled cards (SBM ZET, IDFC Earn) are huge for student-friendly payments.
- FD interest rates are competitive (up to 9% in some cases).
- Digital apps (ZET, Niyo) simplify applications with video KYC.
- Discounts on Myntra, Zomato, and OTT platforms align with student lifestyles.
Which Card Should You Choose?
- Best for UPI and Discounts: SBM ZET (tons of brand offers, UPI-enabled).
- Best for International Students: IDFC First WOW or ICICI Student Forex (low/no forex fees).
- Best for SBI Customers: SBI Student Plus Advantage (unsecured for loan holders).
- Best for Dining/Online Shopping: Axis Insta Easy or Kotak 811.
- Best for Beginners: SBM ZET or Kotak 811 (low FD, lifetime free).
SBM ZET Credit Card. It’s lifetime free, offers flexible FD top-ups, and has discounts on brands you love. Perfect for building credit while saving cash.
Smart Tips for Using Your Card
- Budget Wisely: Only spend what you can repay.
- Check Statements: Review bills monthly for errors or fraud.
- Pay in Full: Avoid minimum payments to dodge high interest.
- Use Rewards: Redeem points for things you’d buy anyway (e.g., movie tickets).
- Limit Applications: Too many applications can hurt your score.
Final Thoughts
Your first credit card is a step toward financial independence. Secured cards like SBM ZET, IDFC WOW, Axis Insta Easy, and Kotak 811 are great for beginners with no credit history, while unsecured options like SBI Student Plus or prepaid cards like ICICI Student Forex suit specific needs (like education loans or international use). I’d pick SBM ZET for its versatility or IDFC WOW for study-abroad students. Spend smart, pay on time, and you could hit a 750+ CIBIL score in months. Check bank websites or apps for the latest details, and you’re good to go!
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on research from publicly available sources as of April 2025. Credit card terms, fees, rewards, and eligibility criteria can change, so always verify details with the respective banks or financial institutions before applying. I’m not a financial advisor; this guide is for informational purposes only. Your financial decisions should be based on your personal circumstances, and you may want to consult a professional for tailored advice. Interest rates, cashback offers, and other benefits mentioned are subject to change, and banks may have additional terms or conditions not covered here. Use credit cards responsibly to avoid debt or negative impacts on your credit score.