Key takeaways
- You must be 18+ to hold your own credit card in India. Under 18, only an add-on on a parent's card is possible.
- Students without income usually start with a card against a fixed deposit.
- Some banks offer student cards to education loan customers, such as SBI's Student Plus Advantage.
- Pay in full every month. A student credit history pays off when you apply for jobs, loans and better cards later.
Most Indian students don't have a salary slip, which is what banks normally want. But there are still sensible ways to get a card and start building credit history early.
Option 1: an add-on card (under 18 or no income)
A parent can add you as an add-on cardholder on their card. It's usually free, and parents can set a spending sub-limit. Spending counts against the parent's limit and responsibility, and it won't build your own credit history. Students under 18 can only use this route. See add-on cards explained.
Option 2: a card against a fixed deposit (18+)
If you're 18 or older, a secured card against a fixed deposit is the most common student route. There's no income proof, and the limit is typically 80–90% of the deposit. Examples:
- Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent: FD from ₹10,000, with no annual fee (a ₹500 joining fee from September 2026).
- Other banks offer FD-backed cards from about ₹5,000. See our low-salary guide for a list.
It builds your own credit history from day one.
Option 3: student cards for education loan customers
Some banks offer student cards linked to an education loan. SBI's Student Plus Advantage card, for example, is reported to be available to SBI education loan customers aged 18+ and is issued against a fixed deposit. Ask your education loan bank what it offers.
Option 4: a regular card once you have income
With a stipend, internship or part-time income that's documented in your bank statements or ITR, you may qualify for an entry-level lifetime free card. Check with our eligibility calculator, which doesn't affect your score.
Which option is best for you?
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | Add-on on a parent's card |
| 18+, no income, want your own credit history | FD-backed secured card |
| 18+, taking an education loan | Ask your loan bank about student cards |
| 18+, with documented stipend or income | Entry-level lifetime free card |
| Studying abroad | A zero-forex card, or a forex card for spending |
Five rules for students
- Pay the full bill every month, ideally by auto-debit. Interest is about 3.5% a month.
- Keep spending under 30% of your limit. On a ₹10,000 limit, that's ₹3,000.
- Use it for planned expenses like books, subscriptions and travel bookings, not impulse buys.
- Never withdraw cash on a credit card. It carries a fee plus interest from day one.
- Never share OTPs. Students are frequent scam targets. See our scam guide.
Studying abroad?
Forex markups of 3.5% plus GST add up quickly on fees, rent and daily costs. Consider a zero-forex card (all IDFC FIRST cards, including IDFC FIRST Millennia, have been zero-forex since September 2026, subject to eligibility) or a forex card. See our forex guide.
Why start early?
A year or two of on-time payments gives you a credit score by the time you graduate. That helps with approval for better cards, and later with vehicle or home loans. Learn how scores work in our CIBIL guide.
How much does an FD-backed card cost a student?
The main cost is the money locked in the fixed deposit, which still earns interest. For example, a ₹10,000 FD for Kotak 811 DreamDifferent gives a limit of about ₹8,000–₹9,000. The card has no annual fee, but a ₹500 joining fee (including GST) for new applicants from September 2026. Use it for one small monthly expense, pay in full, and you'll have a credit history within months at little cost.
FAQs
Can a student get a credit card in India without income?
Yes, if 18 or older, through a card against a fixed deposit, which needs no income proof. Under 18, only an add-on on a parent's card is possible.
What is the minimum age for a credit card in India?
18 for a card in your own name. Add-on cards for family members are typically also for those aged 18+, but some banks issue add-ons to younger children, with the parent as primary.
Does an add-on card build a student's credit score?
No. The history belongs to the primary cardholder. A card in the student's own name, such as an FD-backed card, is needed to build their score.
Which credit card is best for students studying abroad?
A zero-forex card, if you qualify, or a forex card. Both avoid the 3.5% + GST markup most cards charge.
Do student credit cards have annual fees?
Some do, many don't. FD-backed cards often have no annual fee. Check the joining fee and any charges before applying.
Can international students in India get a credit card?
It's harder, since banks usually need Indian KYC and residency. An FD-backed card from a bank where they hold an account is the most likely route.
Is it safe for students to have a credit card?
Yes, if they pay in full every month, keep spending low and never share OTPs. Set up auto-debit for the full amount.
Sources
- Paisabazaar: student credit cards in India
- BankBazaar: SBI Student Plus Advantage credit card
- Kotak 811: #DreamDifferent credit card against FD
