When you’re just starting your financial journey, finding the best free credit card in India can make a big difference. Whether you’re a student managing your daily expenses or a young professional trying to build a good credit score, a credit card that fits your lifestyle without hidden fees is a smart move.
They help you pay for essentials, offer discounts and rewards, and, most importantly, help build your credit history. But with so many options, picking the right one can be overwhelming. The right card should work with you, not against you, helping you stay in control while offering perks that matter to you.
Fortunately, a few standout choices do just that. They have zero annual fees, decent rewards, and provide ease of use.
Best Credit Cards for Students in India
- One Credit Card
The One Credit Card is a top pick, especially for students just stepping into the world of credit. What makes it even more beginner-friendly is its FD-backed option; despite being secured, it still offers the same premium benefits as the regular version.
It’s sleek and modern and comes with a lifetime of free credit card benefits, including no joining or annual fees. It also comes with 5X rewards on your top two spending categories each month, turning everyday purchases into valuable cashback or points.
The OneCard App makes handling money simple. It lets you easily track spending, view rewards, and for your credit card bill pay right from your phone. It’s the most straightforward and most rewarding card for beginners and professionals alike.
- IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card
This lifetime free card is great for students. It’s easy to get since it needs no credit history or proof of income. This makes it perfect for students. Additionally, it offers FD-backed credit cards with rewards, including 4X on your spending. A key feature is its zero-forex markup fee. This is great for international online transactions and future travel. - Kotak 811 Dream Different Credit Card
A beginner-friendly card that is ideal for a student or someone new to credit. Firstly, it’s easy to get because it’s an FD-backed credit card, requiring a minimum fixed deposit of 10,000 rupees with no annual fee. You get 4 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent online and 1 reward point when spent offline. Plus, you’re entitled to a fuel surcharge waiver of up to 3,500 rupees every year.
Best Credit Cards for Young Professionals in India
- HSBC Visa Platinum Card
It has no joining or annual fees. You earn 2 reward points for every ₹150 spent, and you can convert these points into air miles with partners like British Airways and Singapore Airlines using the HSBC India App. Spending over ₹4,00,000 a year unlocks 5X reward points, helping you earn up to 15,000 points per year.
You also benefit from:
- Fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹3,000 annually)
- “Buy 1 Get 1” movie ticket offer on BookMyShow on Saturdays (up to ₹250)
- Various dining discounts
These benefits make it a well-rounded option for daily expenses and leisure.
- Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
It has an annual fee of ₹500 (waived off on annual spending of over ₹3,50,000). You earn unlimited 5% cashback on Flipkart and Cleartrip and 4% on preferred merchants like Swiggy, Uber, PVR, and Cult. Fit, and 1% on all other eligible spends.
Additionally, you’ll get:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 (up to ₹400 per statement cycle)
- Complimentary domestic airport lounge access
- Get Flipkart vouchers worth ₹600 on card activation (subject to ongoing offer terms)
These benefits cater well to your spending habits and travel needs.
- Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card is an excellent lifetime-free option, as it has no joining or annual fees. For your online shopping needs, it offers 5% cashback on purchases for Prime members and 3% for non-Prime members.
Furthermore, you’ll be entitled to:
- 2% cashback on spends across 100+ Amazon Pay partner merchants
- 1% on all other eligible transactions (excluding fuel
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
These perks ensure savings on fuel expenses, and the cashback earned is conveniently credited directly to your Amazon Pay balance.
(All the key features and rewards of the above-mentioned credit cards are subject to change; read the terms and conditions provided by the bank for the latest updates before applying)
When you are just getting started, handling finances can be overwhelming. However, the right credit card changes that. It helps you manage your spending, improves your credit score, and allows you to gain reward points suitably based on your funds used.
If you’re looking for the best free credit card in India, consider the One Credit Card, as it ticks all the boxes for students, young professionals, and frequent credit users. With its clean, intuitive interface, the OneCard App makes managing your credit card simple—from real-time expense tracking to hassle-free bill payments. There are no hidden fees, and everything is clearly explained within the app.Designed to fit your lifestyle seamlessly, the OneCard also offers 5X rewards on your top spending categories, giving you more value effortlessly. To explore the benefits, visit the One Credit Card website or download the OneCard App and apply now to see how it adds value and convenience to your financial life.