Key takeaways
- Late fees apply only if you miss the minimum amount due, not the full amount.
- Fees rise with your outstanding balance, up to about ₹1,300, plus 18% GST.
- Under RBI rules, you're reported "past due" only if payment is more than 3 days late.
- From 1 April 2027, late fees apply only to the amount still unpaid after the due date.
Missing a credit card due date costs three ways: a late payment fee, interest on the unpaid balance, and potential damage to your credit score. Here's what each major bank charges and how the rules protect you.
When a late fee applies
A late payment fee is charged only if you don't pay at least the minimum amount due (MAD) by the due date. Paying the MAD avoids the late fee, but interest is still charged on everything you don't pay, and you lose the interest-free period on new purchases.
SBI Card late payment charges
| Total amount due | Late fee |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹500 | Nil |
| ₹501 – ₹1,000 | ₹400 |
| ₹1,001 – ₹10,000 | ₹750 |
| ₹10,001 – ₹25,000 | ₹950 |
| ₹25,001 – ₹50,000 | ₹1,100 |
| Above ₹50,000 | ₹1,300 |
As reported in August 2026. SBI Card also adds ₹100 if the minimum due is missed for two consecutive cycles. Plus 18% GST.
HDFC Bank late payment charges
| Outstanding balance | Late fee |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹100 | Nil |
| ₹101 – ₹500 | ₹100 |
| ₹501 – ₹1,000 | ₹500 |
| ₹1,001 – ₹5,000 | ₹600 |
| ₹5,001 – ₹10,000 | ₹750 |
| ₹10,001 – ₹25,000 | ₹900 |
| ₹25,001 – ₹50,000 | ₹1,100 |
| Above ₹50,000 | ₹1,300 |
Slabs effective 1 August 2024, as reported. Plus 18% GST.
ICICI Bank and Axis Bank
We couldn't find a complete, current slab table from a reliable source for these two banks, so here's what is confirmed:
- ICICI Bank: no fee up to ₹100 outstanding, ₹100 for ₹101–₹500 and ₹500 for ₹501–₹10,000, rising for higher balances. ICICI gives a 3-day grace period after the due date.
- Axis Bank: no fee up to ₹300, ₹100 for ₹301–₹500 and ₹500 for ₹501–₹1,000, rising for higher balances. From 28 August 2026, the fee for balances above ₹50,000 is ₹1,300.
Your card's exact figures are in its MITC. Search "[card name] MITC" on the bank's website.
How RBI rules protect you
The 3-day rule
Under RBI's credit card directions, a card account can be reported as "past due" to credit bureaus, and late fees levied, only when it has remained past due for more than three days. So if you pay a day or two late, you're protected from both the fee and a bureau report.
The April 2027 change
On 27 April 2026, RBI amended its credit card directions (circular RBI/2026-27/29). From 1 April 2027, late payment charges must be levied only on the amount outstanding after the due date, not on the total amount due. If you pay most of your bill on time and a small amount late, the fee will be based on that small remaining amount.
What a late payment does to your credit score
- 1–3 days late: protected by the 3-day rule. Not reported as past due.
- 4–30 days late: may be reported as a delinquency, which can lower your score.
- 30+ days late: usually a significant score drop that stays on your report for years.
The real cost of one late payment
Say you miss a ₹30,000 bill on an HDFC card. The late fee is ₹1,100 + GST = ₹1,298. Interest at about 3.6% a month on ₹30,000 adds roughly ₹1,080 + GST = ₹1,274. And new purchases lose their interest-free period until you clear the balance. Total: over ₹2,572 for one missed month, before any score damage.
How to never pay a late fee
- Set up auto-debit for the total amount due from your bank account.
- Pay a few days early. Payments via some apps take 1–3 working days to credit.
- Align due dates. Most banks let you change your billing cycle once, so all cards fall due around payday.
- If you can't pay in full, pay at least the MAD to avoid the late fee, then clear the rest as soon as possible.
- Charged unfairly? Call the bank. First-time late fees are often reversed on request. If not, see our RBI Ombudsman guide.
FAQs
What is the late payment fee on a credit card in India?
It depends on the bank and your outstanding amount, typically nil for very small balances and up to about ₹1,300 for balances above ₹50,000, plus 18% GST.
Is there a grace period for credit card payments?
Yes, effectively. Under RBI rules, accounts are reported past due and charged late fees only when payment is more than 3 days late.
Does paying the minimum due avoid the late fee?
Yes. But interest is still charged on the unpaid balance, and new purchases lose their interest-free period.
Can I get a late fee reversed?
Often, yes, especially for a first-time delay. Call the bank and ask. If it's refused unfairly, complain to the bank and then to the RBI Ombudsman.
Does a late payment show up on my CIBIL report?
If your account stays past due for more than 3 days, banks can report it as a delinquency. Longer delays, especially 30+ days, hurt your score more and stay on your report for years.
Is the late fee charged on the full bill or only the unpaid part?
Currently, many banks use slabs based on the total amount due. From 1 April 2027, RBI's amended directions require late charges to apply only to the amount outstanding after the due date.
Sources
- RBI: Credit Cards and Debit Cards Amendment Directions, 2026 (27 Apr 2026)
- GroMo: Credit card late payment charges by bank (Aug 2026)
- Wishfin: HDFC credit card late payment charges
- CardExpress: Axis late fee change (Aug 2026)
