Can students build a credit score?

Yes, students can build their credit score by getting a credit card against an FD or an entry-level credit card and using it responsibly with timely bill payments.

What is the minimum age to get a credit card in India?

Typically, the minimum age to get a credit card in India is 18 years for add-on cards and 21 years for primary cards. However, this age requirement may vary as per the card provider and card variant.

How Can a Student With No Income Get a Credit Card in India

Students in India can get a credit card without any income by opting for secured credit cards against fixed deposit (FD). They can also opt for add-on cards linked to their parent’s credit account, or in some cases student credit cards offered against specialised schemes or educational loans. Moreover, they can even get some of the entry-level credit cards that come with relaxed eligibility criteria.

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Best Ways for Students With No Income to Get a Credit Card

If you are a student with no income, you can choose to get a credit card choose based on your situation, as follows:

If you have savings for FD + want to build credit score → Get an FD-backed Credit Card (secured)
If your parents have a credit card → Get an Add-on (supplementary) Card issued against their primary credit card
If you have a paid internship/stipend → Get an Entry-level Card
If you have a student account or education loan → Check for Student-specific Cards from banks

How Can a Student With No Income Get an FD-backed Credit Card?

A secured credit card against FD is the most accessible and the best option for students without any income source. Getting an FD-backed credit card involves:

Open a fixed deposit (FD) with the bank you wish to get the secured credit card from
Apply for the FD-back secured card of choice against your FD
The bank issues the credit card against that FD
The card’s assigned credit limit is generally 80% to 100% of the FD amount

Why this option of FD credit card works:

No income proof required as FD acts as collateral
Low risk for bank, so high approval chances
You earn FD interest + rewards on spends
Build CIBIL or credit score and later qualify for a regular (unsecured) card when you get a job

Expert Tip: For most students, an FD-backed credit card, like IDFC FIRST WOW!, etc., is the easiest and most reliable credit card option. Getting a secured credit card against FD gives the students access to credit, decent value-back on spends, builds their credit score if managed responsibly, and teaches financial discipline, making it the smartest financial move. This ensures that the students already have 2 to 3 years of credit history when they graduate which makes them eligible for a more premium range of credit cards the moment they start earning.

Which is the best FD-back credit card for students?

FD Credit Card Type & Purpose	Best Suited FD-backed Credit Cards
RuPay Credit Card for Everyday UPI Spends	- Stable Money Suryoday Bank Credit Card - SBM ZET Credit Card - IDFC FIRST EARN Credit Card - Kotak811 Super Money Credit Card
Travel-centric Credit Card	- IDFC FIRST WOW! Black Credit Card - Kotak811 Super Money Credit Card - IDFC FIRST EARN Credit Card - AU NOMO Credit Card
Lifetime-free Credit Card	- IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card - BOBCARD Prime - Kotak811 Super Money Credit Card - Stable Money Suryoday Bank Credit Card - SBM ZET Credit Card

How Can a Student With No Income Get an Add-on Credit Card?

If the student's parent has an existing credit card, they can apply for an add-on or supplementary credit card for the student. Getting an add-on card involves:

A parent adds you to their existing primary credit card
You get a separate add-on card but share the same credit limit as your parents
You use the card, but the liability and billing remain with the primary card user, here, the parent

Why this option of add-on credit card works:

100% approval chances if the primary card owner's credit profile is strong
Access to credit card features and benefits
Learn responsible credit card usage and build financial discipline

How Can a Student Get an Entry-level Credit Card?

Some banks offer entry-level credit cards with relaxed eligibility to the students with no income. Their chances of approval, however, improve if the student has at least an active internship with stipend. Getting an entry-level credit card for a student involves:

You apply for lifetime free credit card or card with minimal annual fee and easy eligibility
If approved, the card provider issues your credit card
You use and manage the card responsibly by timely bill payments

Why this option of entry-level credit card works:

Earn value-back and avail lifestyle benefits through credit card
No collateral or FD required and direct card ownership
Build credit score to get a better card in the future after getting employed

Comparison Table: Credit Card Options for Students With No Income

Here’s a comparison through which you can decide on which credit card option should the student with no income choose:

Feature	FD-secured Credit Card	Add-on Credit Card	Other Student Cards
Primary Requirement	Fixed Deposit (as collateral)	Parent's existing credit card	Student enrollment
Credit Score	Builds your credit score	No impact on your credit score	Linked to loan history
Best For	Personal spends & credit building	Emergencies and parent's perks	Education and college fees; Some may be forex cards
Annual Fees	Usually lifetime free or minimal fee	Generally charges one-time fee	No fees (but interest on loan)

How to Apply for a Credit Card Online?

Step 1: Enter your mobile number in the application form

Step 2: Provide your personal details

Step 3: Enter OTP to verify your mobile number

Step 4: Select the credit card purpose and credit card amount

Step 5: Compare offers and apply for the best-suited credit card

How to Apply for a Credit Card Online?

Step 1: Enter your mobile number in the application form

Step 2: Provide your personal details

Step 3: Enter OTP to verify your mobile number

Step 4: Select the credit card purpose and credit card amount

Step 5: Compare offers and apply for the best-suited credit card

FAQs

Can a college student get a credit card without a job or income in India?

Yes, college students can get a credit card by opening a Fixed Deposit (FD) worth as low as Rs. 2,000 with banks. No income proof or salary slip is required for such FD-backed secured credit cards. They can also apply for entry-level cards or get an add-on card against their parent’s primary credit card.

Which is the best credit card for a student above 18 years of age?

Credit Cards against FD are best-suited for students above 18 years, including IDFC FIRST WOW Black, Kotak811 Super Money, IDFC FIRST WOW, SBM ZET, etc. These cards do not require any income proof, give good value-back at zero or minimal annual fee. However, the best suited card for any individual is the one that caters to their spending needs the best by offering good savings on the categories they frequently spend on.

Do students get a CIBIL score from a credit card?

Yes, students can build their credit score using their FD-backed or any other entry-level credit card. However, add-on cards issued to them against a primary card owned by some other family member do not help in building a student's independent CIBIL score.

What is the easiest credit card for students?

FD-backed (secured) credit cards are the easiest to get for the students.

Do student credit cards require a CIBIL score?

No, student credit cards like FD-backed secured credit cards or add-on credit card do not require an existing CIBIL or credit score.

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