How to Get a Credit Card with a Bad CIBIL Score in India: A Complete Guide Based on My Banking Experience
Getting a credit card with a bad CIBIL score in India can feel like chasing a mirage. Most banks will say no upfront. Online applications often get rejected in seconds. And yet, many people with poor scores are still using credit cards — how?
As someone who worked on the frontlines of India’s retail lending space at DCB Bank, I’ve helped dozens of customers get access to credit despite their low scores. In this guide, I’m sharing real insights, practical tips, and proven options that helped them — and can help you too.
Let’s dive in.
🔍 Understanding a “Bad” CIBIL Score
Before we fix the problem, let’s define it.
The CIBIL score is a 3-digit number ranging from 300 to 900 that represents your creditworthiness. Here’s the typical scale:
- 750–900: Excellent
- 700–749: Good
- 650–699: Fair
- 600–649: Poor
- Below 600: Very Poor
If your score is below 650, most banks consider you a high-risk borrower. This significantly reduces your chances of getting an unsecured credit card, which doesn’t require any deposit or collateral.
🧠 Why Banks Reject Low CIBIL Score Applications
During my time at DCB Bank, I regularly reviewed applications that were rejected automatically by our system. Here’s what typically caused rejections:
- Missed EMI payments
- Loan or credit card default or settlement
- Too many loan/credit card applications (hard inquiries)
- High credit card utilization
- No or thin credit history (young applicants or NRIs)
But here’s what most people don’t know: credit card approval is still possible, even with a low score — if you choose the right path.
✅ 6 Ways to Get a Credit Card with a Low CIBIL Score in India
1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card
This is the most effective way to get a credit card with a bad CIBIL score.
What is a secured credit card?
It’s a credit card issued against a fixed deposit (FD). Your FD acts as a security, so the bank is willing to take the risk.
Top Banks Offering Secured Credit Cards:
| Bank | Card Name | Minimum FD | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI | SBI Advantage Card | ₹25,000 | Global acceptance, reward points |
| ICICI | Coral Credit Card | ₹20,000 | Lounge access, cashback |
| Axis Bank | Insta Easy Credit Card | ₹20,000 | Zero joining fee |
| IDFC First Bank | WOW Credit Card | ₹5,000 | Digital card, lifetime free |
💡 Pro Tip from My Experience: At DCB, many people who were denied unsecured credit cards were easily approved for a secured card by opening a 12-month FD. It’s a simple win.
2. Use a Credit Card Issued by Fintech Platforms
Some fintech companies have partnered with banks to issue credit cards based on income and spending behavior rather than CIBIL scores.
Examples:
- OneCard: Offers credit limits based on app-based KYC and bank data.
- Slice Card: Allows small-ticket usage and has flexible repayment terms.
- Uni Card: “Pay in 3” feature makes it attractive to new-to-credit or low-score users.
⚠️ Warning: These cards often have hidden charges or higher interest. Always read the terms and conditions.
3. Check if You’re Pre-Approved by Your Bank
This is something most people miss. If you have a salary account or savings account with a bank for more than 12 months, you may already be pre-approved — even with a low CIBIL score.
How?
Banks also check:
- Salary inflows
- No cheque bounces
- Clean account behavior
💼 My Case Study:
A customer at DCB with a score of 610 got a pre-approved secured card because she maintained a ₹50,000 FD and regular salary deposits for 18 months. She never even applied — the offer came via SMS.
4. Add Yourself as an Add-On Cardholder
If someone in your family (parent, spouse, sibling) has a good credit score and a credit card, ask them to issue you an add-on card.
Benefits:
- No separate CIBIL check
- Helps build your credit if the primary user pays on time
- Usually free with premium cards
Note: You won’t build your own CIBIL history with all banks — confirm whether the card issuer reports add-on card activity.
5. Use EMI Cards or BNPL Options as a Stepping Stone
Cards like:
- Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card
- ZestMoney EMI
- Amazon Pay Later
…are not traditional credit cards, but they function similarly and help build repayment history. Once you use them responsibly for 6–12 months, your CIBIL score will improve — and your eligibility for real cards will rise.
📊 Insight: Many users I worked with used EMI cards to pay for mobile phones or appliances — and then transitioned to unsecured credit cards within a year.
6. Apply Through a Credit Builder Program
Some digital lenders offer credit-builder products, where you get a small credit line (₹5,000–₹15,000), use it for small purchases, and repay in full each month.
Apps like:
- StashFin
- KreditBee
- MoneyTap
These don’t always need a good CIBIL score to get started.
🔎 How to Maximize Approval Chances (Even with Low Credit)
Even when applying for secured or fintech-backed cards, follow these tips:
- Keep your debt-to-income ratio below 40%
- Avoid applying to multiple banks at once — it creates hard inquiries
- Show steady income through salary slips or bank statements
- Include a co-applicant, if allowed
- Avoid using fake documents — banks can verify everything via CIBIL, KYC, and digital checks
🔧 How to Rebuild Your CIBIL Score with a Credit Card
Once you get a card, don’t repeat old mistakes. Use it as a tool to rebuild your financial credibility.
Here’s how:
| Action | Effect |
|---|---|
| Pay full amount before due date | Boosts score and saves interest |
| Keep utilization under 30% | Improves credit health |
| Don’t miss due dates | A single miss can drop your score by 50+ points |
| Don’t close the card too early | Length of credit history matters |
📋 Documents Needed for Credit Card with Low Score
You’ll typically need:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card or address proof
- Recent passport-size photo
- Salary slips (last 3 months) OR ITR (last 2 years) if self-employed
- Bank statements (last 6 months)
- FD receipt (for secured cards)
🧾 My Personal Experience: From Rejection to Approval
Let me share a quick story.
Back in 2022, a young engineer came to our DCB branch. He had a CIBIL score of 540 due to two missed credit card payments during COVID. His loan application had been rejected by 3 banks. We advised him to:
- Open a ₹30,000 FD
- Apply for a secured credit card
- Pay every month without fail for 9 months
Today, his CIBIL is 712, and he has 2 unsecured credit cards from other banks. That’s the power of strategy + patience.
⚠️ Red Flags to Watch Out For
- ❌ Don’t apply for guaranteed approval cards from unknown sources — many are scams
- ❌ Avoid third-party agents promising “score fixing” for a fee
- ❌ Don’t make minimum payments only — it damages your credit slowly
- ❌ Don’t close your oldest card — credit age matters
💬 Final Thoughts: Bad Credit Is Not Permanent
Having a low CIBIL score is not a life sentence. It just means you need to take a smarter route. Credit cards are not just spending tools — they’re credit-building tools when used right.
As someone who’s worked in India’s credit and lending space, I’ve seen too many people give up too soon. Don’t be one of them.
If your score is low:
- Start with a secured credit card
- Use it responsibly
- Watch your score bounce back in 6–12 months
This journey is not about luck — it’s about small wins, done consistently.