Student Credit Cards in India 2026
How students aged 18+ can get a credit card — FD-backed cards, add-on cards on a parent’s account, and building a credit score before the first job.
Updated 28 September 2026 · 107 cards from 17 issuers trackedWhat you need to know
Indian banks rarely issue unsecured cards to students because they have no income to show. The realistic routes are a card against a fixed deposit (SBI Card Unnati, ICICI Instant Platinum, Kotak 811 Dream Different) or an add-on card on a parent’s credit card. Only a card in your own name builds your own credit history — an add-on card is the parent’s liability and credit record.
- Minimum age is 18 for a card in your own name; add-on cards are usually available from 18 as well.
- “Student credit card” schemes run by some state governments (e.g. Bihar, West Bengal) are education loans, not payment cards.
- Starting early matters: a 2–3 year repayment history when you apply for your first loan or salaried card makes approvals much easier.
Cards students can actually get
| Card | Issuer | Joining / annual fee | Min. income | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Card Unnati | SBI Card | Free / Free | No income proof or credit score needed; SBI FD of Rs 25,000 | Students and new-to-credit users |
| ICICI Bank Instant Platinum Credit Card (against FD) | ICICI Bank | Free / Free | Age 18+ resident with ICICI FD of Rs 50,000+; no income pro… | Students/first-time users building credit against an FD |
| Kotak 811 Dream Different | Kotak Mahindra Bank | Free / Free | Secured against FD | Credit-building for new-to-credit users |
| Kotak NRI Royale Signature | Kotak Mahindra Bank | Free / ₹1,000 | NRIs holding NRE/NRO term deposit with Kotak | NRIs wanting an INR card backed by NRE/NRO FD |
| Canara Bank RuPay Select Secured | Canara Bank | — / — | — | Building credit history against an FD |
| IDBI Bank Imperium Platinum | IDBI Bank | ₹499 / ₹499 | — | Secured card against FD (min Rs 20,000; limit up to 85% of FD) |
| BOI Swadhan RuPay Platinum | Bank of India | Free / Free | — | Secured card against term deposit |
Your three options
Parents or you place an FD (e.g. ₹25,000 for SBI Card Unnati; ₹50,000 for ICICI Instant Platinum). No income proof or credit score needed. Builds your own history.
Issued on a parent’s account with its own spending limit. Easy and often free, but repayments count on the parent’s credit report, not yours.
Some banks offer FD-backed or low-limit cards to existing savings customers aged 18+. Ask your bank branch or check your app for pre-approved offers.
Using your first card well
- Set up auto-debit for the full amount due from your savings account so you never miss a payment.
- Keep the balance below about 30% of the limit — on a ₹20,000 limit, try to stay under ₹6,000 by statement date.
- Never withdraw cash on a credit card: a cash advance fee of about 2.5% (minimum ₹500) applies and interest starts from day one.
- Avoid paying only the minimum due; interest of 3.5%–3.75% a month applies on the whole unpaid balance.
- Check your free annual credit report after 6 months to confirm the card appears and payments are recorded correctly.
Keep your utilisation low
Frequently asked questions
Can a college student get a credit card without income?
Yes, through a card secured by a fixed deposit. The bank relies on the FD rather than income, so a student aged 18+ with KYC documents and an FD can usually get one.
Does an add-on card build my credit score?
Generally no. The primary cardholder is liable and the account sits on their credit report. To build your own score you need a card in your own name, such as an FD-backed card.
What limit will a student card have?
On a secured card, typically 75%–90% of the FD. A ₹25,000 FD at 80% gives about ₹20,000.
Is SBI Card Unnati free?
It is free for the first four years and costs ₹499 + GST from the fifth year. It needs an SBI FD of ₹25,000 or more and gives 1 reward point per ₹100.
Card features, fees and reward rates are compiled from issuers’ published terms and reputable card-review sites (source and date on each card page). Issuers change benefits often — confirm the latest MITC before applying.