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Best First Credit Cards for Beginners in India (2026)
Updated · 8 options compared
Your first credit card has one main job: to build a clean credit history so that loans and better cards become easier to get later. That means the ideal beginner card has a low or zero annual fee, a modest income requirement and simple rewards — not a premium fee you will struggle to recover.
If you have no credit history at all and banks keep rejecting you, start with a secured credit card against a fixed deposit. After 6–12 months of on-time payments you can usually upgrade.
Quick comparison
| # | Name | Annual fee | Min. income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ICICI Amazon Pay | Lifetime Free | ₹15,000/month |
| 2 | IDFC First WOW | Lifetime Free | ₹15,000/month |
| 3 | ICICI Coral | ₹500 + GST | ₹20,000/month |
| 4 | IndusInd Tiger | Lifetime Free | ₹15,000/month |
| 5 | SBI SimplyCLICK | ₹499 + GST | ₹20,000/month |
| 6 | BoB Select | ₹499 + GST | ₹15,000/month |
| 7 | ICICI Platinum Chip | ₹199 + GST | ₹12,000/month |
| 8 | PNB Rupay Platinum | ₹299 + GST | ₹12,000/month |
1.ICICI Amazon Pay
4.9/5- Annual fee
- Lifetime Free
- Min. income
- ₹15,000/month
- Rewards
- 5% cashback for Amazon Prime members
The undisputed king of no-fee credit cards in India. If you are an Amazon Prime member, the 5% cashback is straightforward and uncapped. Zero annual fee means there is almost no reason not to have this card in your wallet, even as a secondary option for Amazon purchases.
- No joining or annual fee ever
- 3% cashback for non-prime members
- 2% cashback on flights, recharges, bills
2.IDFC First WOW
4.5/5- Annual fee
- Lifetime Free
- Min. income
- ₹15,000/month
- Rewards
- 10X reward points on every spend category
Arguably the best lifetime-free rewards card available in India right now. 10X points across all spending categories with never-expiring points is an exceptional deal. The 6 domestic plus 2 international lounge visits at zero annual fee make this a no-brainer first card for anyone.
- No annual or joining fee ever
- 10X reward points on all categories
- 6 domestic + 2 international lounge visits
3.ICICI Coral
4.1/5- Annual fee
- ₹500 + GST
- Min. income
- ₹20,000/month
- Rewards
- 2 points per ₹100 on all spends
A decent starter card for those building their credit history with ICICI Bank. The 15% dining discount is genuinely useful for eating out, and 4 lounge visits per year is rare at this low price point. Think of it as a stepping stone to the Sapphiro or Emeralde cards.
- 15% savings on dining bills
- 1 complimentary domestic lounge visit per quarter
- Complimentary railway lounge access
4.IndusInd Tiger
4.2/5- Annual fee
- Lifetime Free
- Min. income
- ₹15,000/month
- Rewards
- 1.5% cashback on all spends
A lifetime-free card that gives a flat 1.5% cashback on everything — no categories to track and no caps to worry about. Perfect as a secondary card for spends that don't fit your primary card's cashback categories. The simplicity of a single flat rate is its biggest selling point.
- No annual fee ever
- 1.5% unlimited cashback on all transactions
- Fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel stations
5.SBI SimplyCLICK
4.3/5- Annual fee
- ₹499 + GST
- Min. income
- ₹20,000/month
- Rewards
- 10X Reward Points on online partners
SBI's best bet for online shoppers who prefer a straightforward rewards structure. The 10X points on partner sites and ₹500 Amazon joining gift offset the first year's fee entirely. Works best if you do most of your shopping online and want a card within the SBI ecosystem.
- Amazon gift card worth ₹500 on joining
- 5X Reward Points on other online spends
- Fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend
6.BoB Select
4/5- Annual fee
- ₹499 + GST
- Min. income
- ₹15,000/month
- Rewards
- 2 reward points per ₹100 spent
An affordable entry-level card with practical utility bill cashback for everyday expenses. The ₹75,000 spend requirement for annual fee waiver is achievable for most working professionals. A sensible choice for those who want a basic, reliable credit card from a trusted PSU bank.
- Annual fee waiver on ₹75,000 spend
- 2% cashback on utility bill payments
- Fuel surcharge waiver
7.ICICI Platinum Chip
3.9/5- Annual fee
- ₹199 + GST
- Min. income
- ₹12,000/month
- Rewards
- 2 PAYBACK points per ₹100 on all spends
ICICI's most basic credit card at just ₹199 per year — not exciting on rewards, but serves as an excellent credit-building tool. The clear upgrade path to Coral and Sapphiro means your credit history with ICICI compounds over time. Best for students or first-time earners starting their credit journey.
- Lowest annual fee ICICI card
- Fuel surcharge waiver
- Contactless payments enabled
8.PNB Rupay Platinum
3.9/5- Annual fee
- ₹299 + GST
- Min. income
- ₹12,000/month
- Rewards
- 2 reward points per ₹100 on all spends
The most affordable credit card on this list, ideal for those who want to build credit history with minimal cost. The RuPay network means seamless UPI linkage for everyday payments. Limited rewards, but the ₹2 Lakh insurance cover adds genuine value for budget-conscious users.
- RuPay network — works with UPI
- Low annual fee
- Fuel surcharge waiver
How we chose
- Minimum income requirement of ₹20,000 a month or less.
- Annual fee below ₹500 or waivable with modest spending.
- Simple rewards that do not require tracking categories or caps.
CardKhoj is independent and does not earn commission from banks. Rates and fees change often — always confirm the latest terms on the bank's official website before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card is easiest to get for a first-time user?
Cards from the bank where you already hold a salary or savings account are easiest, because the bank can see your income. Pre-approved offers in your bank app have the highest approval chance. A secured card against a fixed deposit is almost always approved.
What credit limit will I get on my first credit card?
First cards usually come with a limit of 1–3 times your monthly income, often between ₹20,000 and ₹1 lakh. Banks raise the limit after 6–12 months of on-time payments.
How do I build a credit score with my first card?
Use the card for small regular expenses, keep usage below 30% of the limit, and pay the full statement amount before the due date every month. Set up auto-debit for at least the minimum due as a safety net.