Best Credit Cards for People with No Credit History in India (2025 Guide with Fast Approval Tips)
By Pritam Kumar – Ex-DCB Bank Home Loan Expert | Founder, ImproveExperian
Introduction: Can You Get a Credit Card Without Any Credit History?
If you’ve never taken a loan or owned a credit card before, chances are your CIBIL score is “NA” or “-1.” While this doesn’t mean you’re a defaulter, it does mean lenders have no reference to assess your creditworthiness.
So, the big question—can you get a credit card without any credit history in India?
✅ YES, and I’ve personally helped many such applicants during my time at DCB Bank and Home First Finance. In this article, I’ll share the best credit cards designed specifically for first-time users in India and explain how you can build your credit score from scratch—fast.
Why You Need a Credit Card Even Without Credit History
Before diving into the card list, let’s be clear on why this is a smart move:
- 🔧 Build your CIBIL score starting from month one
- 💳 Get access to emergency credit
- 🎁 Enjoy rewards, cashback, and discounts
- 🧾 Create a healthy financial profile for future loans
A credit card—used wisely—is one of the easiest ways to establish a strong credit history.
Who Is Considered “New to Credit” in India?
- ✅ Fresh graduates or first-time earners
- ✅ Freelancers or self-employed without past loans
- ✅ Housewives or homemakers applying independently
- ✅ New-to-country NRIs or recent job switchers
- ✅ Salaried employees with no prior loan/credit card usage
If you fall under any of these, this article is tailor-made for you.
7 Best Credit Cards for People With No Credit History in India (2025 Edition)
These cards offer easy approval and are designed with low-risk entry features, which means even CIBIL ‘-1’ applicants can qualify.
1. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
Joining Fee: ₹499 + GST
Annual Fee: ₹499 (waived off if you spend ₹1 lakh/year)
Minimum Criteria: ₹20,000/month salary OR fixed deposit
Why It’s Great for Beginners:
SBI often pre-approves this card for first-jobbers and has flexible eligibility rules. You get 10X rewards on daily essentials—groceries, movies, dining, and more.
DCB Experience Tip:
Many first-time customers in their early 20s were approved instantly via SBI’s tie-up with corporate employers or with just a 6-month salary slip history.
2. HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
Joining Fee: ₹1,000
Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (waived on spending ₹1L/year)
Eligibility: ₹25,000/month salary OR ₹1 lakh fixed deposit
Top Features:
- 5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy
- 1% cashback on all offline spends
- Zero-cost EMI options
Why It Works for New Users:
HDFC frequently issues this card against fixed deposits (secured card) for first-timers with zero credit history.
Fast Approval Tip:
Apply via NetBanking if you already have a savings account, and choose “Credit Card Against Fixed Deposit” option—approval in 24–48 hours.
3. ICICI Platinum Chip Card – Secured
Joining Fee: NIL
Annual Fee: NIL
Required: ₹20,000 FD with ICICI
Why It’s Perfect for Credit-Starters:
This card doesn’t need a credit score at all. Your fixed deposit acts as a collateral, making it an ideal low-risk option to build credit.
From My Banking Career:
ICICI’s secured cards had almost 100% approval rate when customers opened a linked FD. Plus, you can build CIBIL from 0 to 700+ within 6–8 months if used responsibly.
4. Axis Bank MyZone Credit Card
Joining Fee: ₹500
Annual Fee: ₹500 (waived on ₹50,000 annual spend)
Eligibility: ₹15,000–₹18,000/month income
Key Benefits:
- 40% off on Swiggy orders
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Free SonyLiv subscription
Why New Users Love It:
Great for Gen Z and young professionals who want rewards on entertainment and food, with easy income-based approvals.
Insider Tip:
Apply through Axis salary account relationship managers—they fast-track approvals if you have consistent deposits.
5. AU Bank LIT Credit Card
Joining Fee: ₹0
Annual Fee: ₹0
Eligibility: No strict income requirement (app-based KYC)
Why It Stands Out:
This customizable card lets you pick the benefits (e.g., cashback, travel, shopping, fuel). It’s also India’s first app-controlled card, perfect for tech-savvy first-time users.
What Makes It Unique:
No credit history? Doesn’t matter. As long as your salary gets credited to a bank and you provide e-KYC, AU may approve you instantly.
6. OneCard (Metal Credit Card)
Joining Fee: ₹0
Annual Fee: ₹0
CIBIL Required: No, app-based internal credit scoring
Highlights:
- Sleek metal card
- Smart app with full control
- Universal 1% cashback
- Free of hidden charges
Why It’s a Game-Changer:
OneCard doesn’t use traditional credit scoring for new users. They analyze your bank transactions, employment type, and income to grant initial limits.
Use Case:
Ideal for new-age workers like freelancers, designers, or tech consultants with steady bank credits but no formal credit history.
7. Bank of Baroda Prime Credit Card (Secured)
Joining Fee: ₹250
Annual Fee: ₹250
Security: ₹15,000 Fixed Deposit
Best For:
Students, housewives, and low-income individuals with zero credit history
Why It Works:
BoB offers this card against FDs with low entry barriers, making it one of the most inclusive starter cards available today.
Fast Tip:
Visit a BoB branch directly and open an FD of ₹15,000 or more. Ask for the Prime card as part of the “BoB Secure Card” program.
What If You’re Self-Employed or a Student?
Good news! You still have strong options.
- ✅ Students – Go for BoB Prime or ICICI Coral Secured
- ✅ Freelancers – Choose OneCard or AU LIT
- ✅ Self-employed professionals – Try Axis MyZone or HDFC Millennia with income proof
5 Insider Tips to Get Approved Instantly (From My Bank Experience)
Here’s how I helped many “new-to-credit” customers get fast approvals:
1. Apply for Secured Cards First
Using a Fixed Deposit-backed card is the safest, fastest way to get a card approved even with zero CIBIL. Within 6 months, you’ll have a credit score.
2. Maintain an Active Salary Account
Most banks favor applicants who receive regular salary credits in their savings accounts. Even if your job is new, 2–3 months of consistent deposits help.
3. Use NBFC Cards as Your Starting Point
NBFC-backed cards like OneCard and AU LIT are more flexible in onboarding first-time users with no history.
4. Avoid Applying for Too Many Cards at Once
Every rejection causes a hard inquiry and may delay your approval later. Apply only to 1–2 carefully chosen cards.
5. Utilize Pre-Approved Card Offers
If you’ve had a bank account for 6+ months, login to net banking and check for pre-approved offers—these don’t require CIBIL checks.
What to Do After You Get Your First Card
Getting a card is just step one. Now, focus on building your credit score strategically:
- 🧾 Pay full bill on time – never pay just the minimum
- 📊 Keep usage under 30% of the limit
- 📈 Track your CIBIL monthly (free tools from Experian/CIBIL)
- 💡 Don’t close the card within 1 year – credit age matters
- 🔁 Upgrade after 12 months – to higher limit & more benefits
TL;DR – Best Cards for First-Time Users (No Credit History Needed)
| Card Name | Type | Annual Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI SimplySAVE | Regular | ₹499 | Young salaried professionals |
| HDFC Millennia | Regular/Secured | ₹1,000 | Online shoppers, gig workers |
| ICICI Platinum Chip | Secured | NIL | Beginners, FD holders |
| Axis MyZone | Regular | ₹500 | Foodies, entertainment lovers |
| AU LIT Card | Custom/App | NIL | Gen Z, freelancers |
| OneCard | NBFC-backed | NIL | Self-employed, tech users |
| BoB Prime Card | Secured | ₹250 | Students, homemakers |
Final Word: No Credit? No Problem!
Getting a credit card with no credit history used to be difficult, but not anymore. Thanks to secured cards, app-based fintech cards, and flexible NBFCs, anyone can now start building credit without facing rejections.
As someone who helped countless customers take their first step in the credit world, my advice is simple:
Start small. Be consistent. Track your progress. Your credit score will take care of itself.
About the Author
Pritam Kumar is a former Deputy Manager at DCB Bank and a personal finance advocate. He runs ImproveExperian.com and creates easy-to-understand credit guides for Indians who want to fix or build their credit fast.