Managing money smartly is becoming extremely important for young earners in India. One of the best tools to build financial discipline, improve credit score, and enjoy cashback/rewards is a credit card.
But for beginners, choosing the right credit card can be confusing—high fees, hidden charges, and complex features often create unnecessary stress.
To help you pick your first card with confidence, this guide lists the best credit cards for beginners in India, including annual fee, cashback, eligibility, and features, along with benefits, drawbacks, steps to apply, and FAQs.
Why Beginners Need a Simple, Low-Fee Credit Card
A good beginner-friendly credit card should offer:
- Low or zero annual fees
- Easy approval
- Basic cashback or rewards
- Simple terms and charges
- Good customer support
- Opportunities to build a credit history
The cards listed below are trusted, popular, and ideal for first-time credit users.
Top 7 Best Credit Cards for Beginners in India
Below is a comparison table for quick understanding:
Best Credit Cards for First-Time Users (2025)
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Cashback/Rewards | Best For | Income Required |
| HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card | ₹500 | 2% reward points | Online shopping | ₹20,000/month |
| SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | ₹499 | 5X rewards online | Online spenders | ₹20,000/month |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card | ₹0 | 5% on Amazon | Amazon users | No fixed salary criteria |
| Axis Ace Credit Card | ₹499 | 2%–5% cashback | Bills, recharges | ₹25,000/month |
| Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card | ₹500 | 5% on Flipkart | Online shopping | ₹20,000/month |
| IDFC FIRST Millennia Card | ₹0 | 1%–5% rewards | Everyday spending | No annual fee requirement |
| IndusInd Legend Credit Card | ₹0 | Reward points | Beginners with savings | No annual fee |
Detailed Overview of Each Card
HDFC MoneyBack Credit Card (Best for beginners overall)
Annual Fee: ₹500 (Waived on annual spending of ₹50,000)
Key Features:
- 2 reward points on every ₹150 spent
- 2X rewards on online purchases
- Fuel surcharge waiver
- Easy approval for beginners
Why choose this?
Reliable, low-fee, and great for building credit.
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card (Best for online shopping beginners)
Annual Fee: ₹499
Features:
- 5X rewards on Amazon, Myntra, Swiggy
- 10X rewards on partner brands
- E-gift voucher worth ₹500 on joining
Why choose this?
Perfect for frequent online shoppers.
Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card (Best lifetime free & cashback card)
Annual Fee: ₹0 (Lifetime Free)
Cashback:
- 5% for Amazon Prime members
- 3% for non-prime
- 2% on partner apps (Swiggy, Ola, UrbanClap)
- 1% on all other spending
Why choose this?
No fee + high cashback = Best beginner choice.
Axis Bank Ace Credit Card (Best for utility bills & recharges)
Annual Fee: ₹499
Cashback:
- 5% on bill payments via Google Pay
- 2% on all other spends
Why choose this?
Super useful for electricity, water, mobile & DTH bills.
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card (Best for Flipkart users)
Annual Fee: ₹500
Cashback:
- 5% on Flipkart
- 4% on Swiggy, PVR, Uber
- 1.5% on everything else
Why choose this?
If you shop online often, this card is very rewarding.
IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card (Best zero-fee card for all users)
Annual Fee: ₹0 (Lifetime Free)
Benefits:
- No joining fee
- 1% to 5% rewards
- Low interest rates (0.75%–3.5% monthly)
Why choose this?
Great for students, freelancers, and low-income users.
IndusInd Legend Credit Card (No annual fee, easy approval)
Annual Fee: ₹0
Features:
- Reward points on all spending
- Excellent for small monthly transactions
- Good option for beginners
Why choose this?
Simple, easy-to-use card with zero charges.
Benefits of Credit Cards for Beginners
- Build a Good Credit Score
Paying bills on time increases your CIBIL score and helps you get home loans, car loans, etc.
- Earn Cashback & Rewards
Every purchase gives cashback, vouchers, or reward points.
- Emergency Financial Support
Credit cards help handle sudden expenses, even without cash.
- Safe Online Payments
Credit cards offer fraud protection and secure transactions.
- Discounts & Offers
Special deals on flight tickets, food, clothes, electronics, and more.
Drawbacks of Credit Cards (Beginners Must Know)
- High Interest Rate If You Miss Payment
Typical interest: 36%–45% annually.
- Overspending Risk
Credit limit may tempt beginners to spend more.
- Hidden Charges
Late fee, cash withdrawal fee, GST on fees, etc.
- Credit Score Can Drop
Missing even one EMI or bill affects your score.
How to Choose the Right Credit Card for Beginners
Use this checklist:
✔ Low or zero annual fee
✔ Cashback on shopping, food, or bills
✔ Easy approval
✔ Good credit limit
✔ Simple reward structure
✔ Strong customer support
How to Apply for a Beginner-Friendly Credit Card (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Compare Cards
Check annual fee, cashback, features, and eligibility.
Step 2: Check Eligibility
Most banks require:
- Minimum age: 18–21 years
- Monthly income: ₹15,000–₹25,000
- Indian ID & address proof
- Bank account statement
Step 3: Apply Online
Visit the bank website or apps like BankBazaar, PaisaBazaar.
Step 4: Submit KYC Documents
Common documents:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Salary slip or ITR
- Bank statement
Step 5: Verification Call
The bank verifies your details.
Step 6: Card Approval
You receive the card at your address within 7–12 days.
Step 7: Activate the Card
Use the bank app or ATM to set a PIN.
Tips for First-Time Credit Card Users
- Always pay the full bill amount.
- Keep credit utilization below 30% of the limit.
- Never withdraw cash from a credit card.
- Track expenses using mobile apps.
- Check statements for errors.
FAQs – Best Credit Cards for Beginners in India
- Which is the best credit card for beginners?
Amazon Pay ICICI and IDFC FIRST Millennia are top choices because they are free for lifetime and offer good rewards.
- Which card is easiest to get approved?
- Amazon Pay ICICI
- IDFC FIRST Credit Card
- HDFC MoneyBack
These have simple eligibility.
- Can a beginner with low income get a credit card?
Yes, many banks offer cards with income starting as low as ₹15,000 per month.
- Do credit cards affect CIBIL score?
Yes. Timely payment increases your score; missing payments reduces it.
- Which credit card is best for online shopping?
- SBI SimplyCLICK
- Flipkart Axis Bank Card
- Amazon Pay ICICI
- How much credit limit do beginners get?
Generally: ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 depending on income.
- Are lifetime free credit cards safe?
Yes, these cards are completely safe and reliable.
Conclusion
Choosing the right credit card as a beginner is important for your financial journey. A good card not only helps in earning cashback and discounts but also helps build a strong credit score for future loans. If you’re just starting, choose a card with zero or low annual fees, easy approval, and simple rewards—like Amazon Pay ICICI, IDFC FIRST Millennia, or HDFC MoneyBack.
Use your card responsibly, pay bills on time, and enjoy the benefits without falling into debt.
A beginner-friendly credit card can be your first step toward smart money management in India.
