How to Cancel a Credit Card (Safely in India – All Bank)

What Does Cancelling a Credit Card Mean?

In India, cancelling a credit card means you are permanently closing that credit limit account with your bank. After closure, that card number stops working, and the bank relationship for that card ends. After the closing request, the bank stops sending you card bill statements.

A credit card is almost like a small personal loan. The bank keeps giving you a limit, and you keep settling it every month. Until you properly inform the bank and clear everything, the account is still active — even if you never swipe the card again.

Many people do this: they cut the card and block it via a mobile Banking app. You may feel it is finished, but the bank system still shows it open. If you only stop using it, fees can still be generated, a small interest may be added, and the bank keeps reporting to CIBIL.

Unlike “blocking” a card, which is a temporary security measure, Cancellation is the final action where your bank permanently closes your card account, and you no longer have access to that credit limit.

Important: If you close it wrongly or leave ₹1–₹10 unpaid, the account can show “written off ” or ” overdue” later, and that can damage your credit score and create loan problems in the future.

What Actually Happens After You Cancel –

1. You Lose That Credit Line = The card stops working immediately. Also, all add-on/family cards linked to it also stop. Your total limit is also reduced in CIBIL, so if you had a ₹1,00,000 total limit and this card carried ₹40,000, after closure, you now only have ₹60,000 available.
2. Effect on Your Credit Score = This is the part many people don’t expect. After closure, as per the RBI Master Direction, the bank informs the credit bureau (like CIBIL). Within about a month, it should show “Closed by Cardholder” on your report.
3. Closed” vs. “Settled” = After cancelling your card, check your CIBIL report carefully. If it shows “Closed” or “Closed by Cardholder”, you cleared all dues properly — safe. But if it shows “Settled” or “Written Off”, you paid less than full amount. Banks see this as a risk, and future loans or cards become harder to approve.

When You Should Cancel a Credit Card (and When Not)

Normally, keeping a card open helps your credit score. But sometimes closing it is actually the better option. But timing is everything. You just need to know when it helps and when it harms.

1. Situations Where You Should Cancel

1. Annual fee but no use = You are paying yearly charges but not using travel, lounge or rewards benefits anymore.
2. You overspend because of it = If the limit keeps tempting you and bills are growing, closing can protect your finances.
3. Too many cards to manage = Multiple cards increase your chances of forgetting due dates and multiple penalties.
4. Security concern = A card you never check can be misused without you noticing.
5. Life changes = After divorce, joint accounts, or separating finances, closure removes liability.

2. Situations Where You Should NOT Cancel

• It’s your oldest card = Old history helps your CIBIL. Closing it may drop your score.
• It has a high limit = Removing it reduces your total credit limit, and your utilisation ratio rises.
• You need a loan soon = If you are planning a home loan or a car loan in the next few months? Don’t close — banks may see a sudden score dip.

3. The Better Alternative (Middle Option)

Before cancelling, try these first:

• Ask your bank for an annual fee waiver
• Request a downgrade to a lifetime-free card OR Lower Fee Card.
• Keep the account active with small usage

Real-life example: Recently, one of my clients, Mr. Abhinash, got an SBI Prime with a fee of Rs. 3000 + GST, almost Rs. 3500, but he is not getting any proper benefit from it compared to the fee. So, He asked SBI Customer Care for a downgrade to SimplySave for free, and even his annual fee was reversed instantly. The new fee is Rs. 500 for SimplySave SBI.

Experian style tip (simple but effective): If spending temptation is the problem, you can cut the physical card or keep it locked away, but keep the account open. Unlike a closure, your credit history stays safe while you avoid using it.

Step-by-Step Process to Cancel a Credit Card in India 2026

Closing a card is not just “call the bank and done”. You can close in one day, but if you skip small things, the card keeps running in the backend and after 2–3 months, you suddenly see ₹700 interest or penalty.

According to RBI card closure guidelines, banks must close a zero-dues card within 7 working days, and they cannot keep it active without your consent.

1 Step: Stop Using the Card First

Before anything, stop swiping. If you use the card even once after raising closure, the bank system cancels your request automatically, and a new bill cycle starts again.

Quick Example: Even a ₹129 Amazon payment can restart the account.

2 Step: Pay Your Total Outstanding Amount

Simply, open your credit card app → check Total Amount Due → pay fully. This is an important part. Most rejection happens here.

But don’t trust only the last statement. You can call the bank and ask, “Please confirm my exact foreclosure amount.” Because interest and GST are sometimes added after statement generation.

3 Step: Clear Unbilled Transactions

Many people miss this. Petrol pumps, tolls, EMI interest, and your international transactions are posted late. So after payment, wait 48 hours and recheck → balance must show ₹0.00.

4 Step: Redeem All Reward Points

Once your card is closed → points are gone permanently. First, convert them into a statement credit, Amazon/Flipkart voucher OR just do a recharge.

Even ₹300–₹500 value is usually sitting unused. However, this is a tricky one; most banks set a redemption limit, such as at least 1000 rewards to redeem them, but you have only 300. Here, you can ignore it. because it also follows redemption charges with GST.

5 Step: Stop Auto-Debits & Subscriptions

Very important step. Now, check and shift all auto-pay and cancel your credit card UPI AutoPay: Netflix, SIP mandate, insurance auto debit, OR electricity bill.

If not stopped, the company will still try charging → transaction fails → penalty comes → card reactivates.

6 Step: Do Email OR Call Customer Care & Raise Closure Request

Banks don’t keep only one method now. Usually, they give 2–3 closure options

1. App-Based Online Closure Button = Many banks now give direct closure inside the app or net-banking, such as SBI Card or HDFC MyCard App. Simply, you open the card section → service request → Tap on Card Closure Option.
2. Email Request (Most Reliable Proof) = Go to the bank’s “Contact Us” page and find the credit card support email. Then send a simple closure mail from your registered email ID. This works very well with private banks like RBL, IDFC, and SBM Bank; they generate a request ticket for you. You can attach your PAN to the email.
3. Customer Care Call (Most Common Method) = You can simply call the helpline and ask them to close the card. The agent will: verify details, check the dues register closure request.

They may try to stop you (fee waiver, limit increase, reward bonus). You can accept — but if you still want closure, insist.

7 Step: Take the Closure Request Number

This is your legal proof. Write down: complaint number, date. Sometimes, Bank send you a direct SMS for a generated request with a number. According to RBI card rules, once the request is logged and dues are zero, your bank must close within 7 working days.

8 Step: Request No Dues Certificate (NOC)

After closure, ask: “Please send written closure confirmation and No Dues Certificate on email.” This is extremely important. If, after 6 months, the bank reports outstanding ₹23 or ₹118, this document saves your CIBIL.

However, no request is required. After full closure and CIBIL reporting, the bank usually sends it directly to your mobile number and email.

9 Step: Destroy the Physical Card

Don’t just cut once. Cut across: chip magnetic strip card number. Some fraud cases happen when cancelled cards are thrown intact.

10 Step: Check CIBIL After 30–45 Days

After about 1–1.5 months, check your credit report. Status must show: “Closed” or “Closed by Cardholder” If it shows Active/WrittenOff/Settled, immediately dispute with the bank and attach NOC.

Credit Card Closure Channels (Top 10 Banks in India)

Below is a practical cheat-sheet. You can quickly see where to close, whom to mail, and which number actually works.

Bank	Main Online Closure	Closure Email	Customer Care
HDFC Bank	MyCards portal / NetBanking	support@hdfcbank.com	1800 1600 / 1800 2600
SBI Card	SBI Card App OR website	customercare@sbicard.com	1860 180 1290
ICICI Bank	iMobile App / NetBanking	customer.care@icicibank.com	1860 120 7777
Axis Bank	Axis Mobile App	Axis Bank Support Online Portal	1860 419 5555
Kotak Mahindra	NetBanking Service Request	service.cards@kotak.com	1860 266 2666
IDFC FIRST Bank	IDFC FIRST App	creditcard@idfcfirstbank.com	1860 258 2000
Bank of Baroda	BoB Financial portal	crm@bobfinancial.com	1800 103 1006
IndusInd Bank	IndusNet OR Chatbot	cards.care@indusind.com	1860 267 7777
RBL Bank	RBL MyCard App	cardservices@rblbank.com	022 6232 7777
American Express	Live Chat OR Secure Message	(inside account inbox)	1800 419 2122

Small but Very Important Tips

• Always take the SR (Service Request) number after the call — this starts the official closure timeline.
• If your card shows a negative balance (the bank owes you money), they must transfer it to your savings account before closing.
• Pay even small GST/interest ₹10–₹50 — otherwise account stays active, and later you get a surprise bill.

Documents & Details Bank May Ask During Credit Card Closure (India)

You usually don’t need heavy paperwork. Most closures happen on call or app. But the bank still must confirm you are the real cardholder and no dues remain. So keep these ready before you call — it saves a lot of back-and-forth.

1. Basic Details (Always Asked)

• Last 4 digits (sometimes full 16 digits in email)
• Your name exactly as printed on the card
• Date of birth
• Registered mobile number (OTP proof)
• Card expiry date
• Linked savings account (only if refund balance exists)

If details don’t match, the bank simply refuses the closure request.

2. If You Visit a Branch (Offline)

What to Carry	Why Bank Needs It
Aadhaar OR PAN OR Passport	Identity verification
Physical card	To confirm ownership
Simple signed letter	Written closure proof

You can, but don’t hand over the card permanently — destroy it yourself after the request.

3. Special Case (You Can’t Pay Full Dues)

Bank may ask:

• salary slips or bank statement
• job loss / medical proof

That is a settlement, not a normal closure — it affects CIBIL.

Real tip: After the request, the bank may ask you to verbally confirm “zero dues” and reward points forfeiture. Just say yes only after checking your balance properly.

How Credit Card Cancellation Affects Your CIBIL Score & CUR

When you close a card, you are not only stopping a service — you are changing your credit profile. CIBIL mainly reacts to two things: your total credit limit and your repayment record.

1. Credit Utilisation Ratio (CUR) Impact

CUR means: how much limit you use vs how much limit you have.

Situation	Total Limit	Spending	CUR
Before closing	₹2,00,000	₹50,000	25%
After closing one card	₹1,00,000	₹50,000	50%

You didn’t spend more money, but after cancellation, your utilisation doubled. If CUR goes above 30%, banks think you depend on credit → score can drop quickly.

2. Age of Credit History

Your oldest card is very valuable. If you cancel a 6-year-old card and keep a 6-month card, CIBIL suddenly sees you as a “new borrower”. Unlike EMI loans, credit cards build long trust history. Shorter history = less predictability = lower score.

3. Closed vs Settled vs Written-Off (Very Important)

Status in CIBIL	What Actually Happened	Real Impact
Closed	You paid full dues and then requested closure	Safe/positive
Settled	Bank accepted partial payment	Negative for ~7 years
Written-Off	No payment for ~180+ days	Very serious damage

Many loan rejections in India happen because of “settled”, not low score.

4. Why NOC (No Dues Certificate) Matters

After closure, always take an email confirmation or NOC. Sometimes, bank systems wrongly mark accounts. If tomorrow CIBIL shows “settled” instead of “closed”, this document is your proof to dispute and fix the report.

Real tip: Never rely only on “card blocked” SMS. Only when CIBIL shows Closed + ₹0 balance, then your cancellation is truly complete.

FAQs