1. Select your monthly income
2. Choose your job type (student, salaried or self-employed)
3. Select the benefit you want (cashback, fuel, travel etc.)
The cards shown above are the ones you are most likely to get approved for.
What is a Credit Card? (Easy Explanation)
A credit card is a bank card that lets you spend money even if you don’t currently have money in your bank account. The bank gives you a spending limit. You can use it for shopping, recharge, online payment, or emergency needs.
The amount is not taken immediately from your account. The bank pays first and you repay the bank later.
Debit card and credit card look the same but they work differently.
Debit Card
- Uses your own bank money
- Payment fails if balance is low
- No credit history created
- No rewards usually
Credit Card
- Bank gives a limit
- You pay the bill later
- Builds CIBIL score
- Gives cashback and offers
How the Credit Card Billing Cycle Works
- 1. You use the card for shopping, recharge or bills.
- 2. The bank pays the shop or website immediately.
- 3. At month end, the bank sends a bill (statement).
- 4. You get around 45–50 days to repay.
- 5. If you pay full bill → no interest is charged.
- 6. If you don’t pay full → interest becomes very high.
Most beginners get rejected because they apply for any card category cards they like. But - Start with an easy or lifetime-free card, use it properly for 3–6 months, and banks usually offer better cards automatically.
Most Popular Types of Credit Cards in India
In India, every credit card is made for a different type of user. The correct card depends on how you spend money — not how expensive the card looks.
Top Lifetime Free Credit Cards in India 2026
To help you choose the right card, below is a curated list of well-known lifetime free credit cards in India. These cards are popular because they give real benefits without yearly fees.
Amazon Pay ICICI
IDFC FIRST Wealth
Kiwi RuPay Credit Card
AU LIT Credit Card
IndusInd Legend
MagniFi Credit Card
HSBC Visa Platinum
Axis Bank Neo
Federal Scapia
IDFC FIRST Millennia
Benefits and Features of Credit Cards in India
Interest-Free Period ⏳
You get around 45–50 days to repay your spending without paying any interest. Buy today and pay next month comfortably.
UPI Scan & Pay 📱
RuPay credit cards can connect to BHIM, PhonePe or Google Pay. You can scan QR at local shops and pay using your credit limit.
Easy EMI Option 🧾
Purchases above ₹2,500 can be converted into small monthly payments from 3 to 24 months.
Credit Limit 💳
The bank gives a pre-approved spending limit based on your income and CIBIL score.
Rewards & Cashback 💰
Earn reward points or cashback on almost every ₹100 spent. These can be redeemed for vouchers, shopping or bill payments.
Travel & Lounge Access ✈️
Many cards provide airport lounge visits, railway lounge access and travel discounts.
Fuel Savings ⛽
Most cards waive the 1% fuel surcharge at petrol pumps, helping regular riders save every month.
Welcome Offers 🎉
Cards often include joining bonuses like Amazon/Flipkart vouchers or OTT subscriptions which may cover the joining fee.
Fraud Protection 🔐
Zero-liability protection helps reverse unauthorized transactions if reported quickly to the bank.
Who Can Get a Credit Card in India? (Eligibility☑️)
Basic Requirements
Age: Usually 18–70 years (21+ for most normal cards)
Credit Score: Around 750+ preferred by banks
Resident Status: Mainly Resident Indians (some banks offer NRI cards)
Salaried Person
Minimum monthly salary about ₹15,000–₹25,000 for entry cards.
Higher salary = higher card limit and better approval.
Most standard credit cards are designed for salaried users.
Self-Employed / Business
ITR income usually ₹2.5–₹6 lakh yearly.
Business should run at least 1–2 years.
Often approved for business or professional cards.
Students & Beginners
Age 18+ with college ID.
Usually get beginner or FD-backed card first.
This is the normal starting step to build CIBIL score.
Housewife / No Income
Can take add-on card on family member account.
Or take FD-based secured credit card.
Independent salary is not always necessary.
No Job / Low Income
Approval possible using Fixed Deposit.
Bank keeps FD as security and gives a credit limit.
Very common method to start credit history.
Documents Usually Required
- PAN Card (mandatory)
- Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID (identity & address proof)
- Salaried: last 3 salary slips + bank statement
- Self-employed: ITR and business proof
- Students: college ID or parent income proof (sometimes)
Card-to-Card Approval (Very Important)
If you already have a credit card from another bank, getting a new one becomes easier.
Usually the existing card should be 6+ months old and have ₹30,000+ limit.
Many banks approve new cards without fresh income proof using this method.
Credit Card Advantages and Risks (Understand Before Using)
✔ Benefits (Why People Use Credit Cards)
- Builds CIBIL score and helps future loan approval
- Rewards, cashback and discounts on daily spending
- Up to 45–50 days interest-free payment time
- Safer than debit card for online payments (chargeback protection)
⚠ Risks (Where People Make Mistakes)
- Interest can reach 36%–48% yearly if bill unpaid
- Easy overspending due to high limit
- Late fees and other charges increase quickly
- Missed payment damages credit score for months
✅ Smart Habits (Do’s)
- Always pay the total bill amount, not minimum due
- Keep card usage below 30% of limit
- Check monthly statement regularly
- Use auto-pay to avoid late fees
- Track UPI payments linked to the card
❌ Common Mistakes (Don’ts)
- Do not withdraw cash from ATM
- Do not leave small unpaid balance
- Do not apply many cards together
- Never share OTP, CVV or PIN
- Do not close your oldest credit card early
Credit Card Charges in India (Know Before You Apply)
1️⃣ Interest (Finance Charges)
This is the biggest cost. If you do not pay the full bill, the bank starts charging interest.
Rate: Around 1.99% – 3.99% per month (24% – 50% yearly)
Important: Even ₹1 unpaid removes the interest-free benefit.
You normally get 20–50 days free time only if full bill is paid.
2️⃣ Joining & Annual Fee
Joining Fee: One-time charge when card is issued (₹0 to ₹5,000+)
Annual Fee: Yearly maintenance charge.
Many cards waive this if yearly spending crosses a limit (example ₹1 lakh yearly).
3️⃣ Late Payment Fee
Charged if you don’t pay minimum due before the deadline.
₹501–₹5,000 bill: about ₹400–₹700 fee
Above ₹10,000 bill: up to ₹1,300
Banks can charge only after 3 days delay.
4️⃣ ATM Cash Withdrawal
Using credit card in ATM is very costly.
2.5%–3% withdrawal charge (minimum ₹300–₹500)
Interest starts from Day 1 — no free period.
5️⃣ Other Common Charges
Forex: 1.5%–3.5% on international payment
Over-limit: Around 2.5% of extra spending
Reward redemption: ₹99 per request in some banks
Fuel surcharge: 1% at petrol pumps (often waived)
How to Choose the Right Credit Card (Simple Guide)
1️⃣ Find Where Your Money Goes
Check your last 2–3 months bank statement.
• Online shopping → choose shopping or co-branded cards
• Bills & grocery → cashback cards are better
• Petrol spending → fuel cards save more
• Travel 3–4 times yearly → lounge or travel card makes sense
2️⃣ Match the Card to Your Income
Banks approve cards according to salary level.
Applying for a higher category card can lead to rejection and reduce your credit score.
₹20k–₹50k salary → Entry-level cards
₹50k+ salary → Mid or premium cards
3️⃣ Check the Real Cost (Value vs Fee)
Always compare annual fee with the benefit you actually use.
Example: ₹500 fee card giving ₹2,000 cashback yearly is a good deal.
Beginners should prefer Lifetime Free (LTF) cards first.
4️⃣ RuPay & UPI Advantage
RuPay credit cards can connect to PhonePe or Google Pay. You can earn rewards even on small ₹50 tea, milk, or kirana payments by scanning QR code.
5️⃣ Look Beyond Reward Points
Sometimes extra benefits are more useful than points:
• Movie ticket offers 🎬
• Dining discounts 🍽️
• Railway & airport lounge ✈️
📝 How to Apply for a Credit Card
- First check eligibility in the assistant tool above
- Open the card details page
- Click "Check Eligibility"
- Enter basic details (mobile & PAN)
- If eligible, then proceed with bank application