1. Introduction

English: Students often face a catch-22: they need a credit card to build credit and access online offers, but most issuers ask for income proof. In 2025, several banks and fintechs provide student-friendly credit card options that require no income proof — either as student credit cards, secured cards against a fixed deposit, add-on cards linked to a parent’s account, or campus tie-up cards. This guide lists the best credit cards for students in India 2025, explains eligibility routes (no income proof), key benefits, fees, application process and practical tips to build credit responsibly.

हिंदी: छात्रों के लिए क्रेडिट कार्ड लेने में अक्सर समस्या यह रहती है कि बैंक इनकम प्रूफ मांगते हैं। 2025 में कुछ बैंक और fintech कंपनियाँ ऐसे student-friendly cards दे रही हैं जिनके लिए इनकम प्रूफ जरूरी नहीं है — जैसे secured (FD-backed) cards, parent add-on cards, और campus partnership कार्ड। इस गाइड में हम उन options का विस्तार से वर्णन करेंगे, साथ ही apply process, charges, benefits और FAQs भी देंगे।

2. What is a Credit Card? (क्रेडिट कार्ड क्या है?)

English: A credit card lets you borrow short-term funds from a card issuer up to a preset credit limit. You receive a monthly bill and can pay in full or as minimum payment. Responsible use builds a credit score (CIBIL/CRIF/etc.), enabling future loans or premium cards.

हिंदी: क्रेडिट कार्ड एक प्रकार का लघुकालिक ऋण है — बैंक आपको खर्च करने की सीमा देता है और महीने के अंत में बिल भेजता है। सही समय पर भुगतान करने से आपका क्रेडिट स्कोर बनता है, जो भविष्य में loan या बेहतर कार्ड पाने में मदद करता है।

3. Types of Student Credit Cards (No Income Proof Routes)

• Secured / FD-backed Credit Cards: Require a Fixed Deposit as collateral. No salary proof needed.
• Add-on / Supplementary Cards: Linked to parent’s primary card; student gets a card without separate income proof.
• Student & Campus Cards: Issued via bank/university tie-ups; relaxed eligibility.
• Prepaid & Charge Cards with Credit Features: Not true credit cards, but offer EMI and rewards; help build transaction history.
• Co-signed / Co-applicant Cards: Parent/guardian as co-applicant enables approval without student’s income.

Tip: Secured cards are best to build credit history safely; add-on cards give access to benefits immediately but keep spending discipline.

4. Top Credit Cards for Students in India 2025 — Comparison Table

Note: Example products vary by bank & fintech; check latest bank offers and T&Cs before applying.

5. Top 10 Student Credit Cards Options (Details, Benefits, Fees, Eligibility)

1) FD-backed / Secured Credit Card (Banks)

Benefits: Low rejection risk, builds credit score, credit limit usually 70–95% of FD. Fees: Minimal annual fee. Eligibility: FD in applicant’s or parent’s name as per bank policy.

2) Add-on / Supplementary Card (Parent’s Primary Card)

Benefits: Immediate access to discounts, higher acceptance. Fees: Often free. Eligibility: Parent’s cardholder adds student as a supplementary user.

3) Campus Cards from Banks

Benefits: Student-specific offers (OTT, food, study tools), low fees, easy approval. Eligibility: Student ID / college tie-up sometimes required.

4) Co-signed Cards

Benefits: Co-applicant’s income helps higher limits. Caution: Co-applicant is equally liable for repayment.

5) Prepaid / Charge Cards with Credit-like Features

Benefits: Spending discipline, EMI on large purchases; can help build transaction history.

6) Secured Cards via NBFCs / Fintechs

Benefits: Quick issuance, FD or savings collateral, app-based management.

7) Student-focused Debit + Credit Hybrid Cards

Benefits: Debit first, then small credit lines for pre-approved users.

8) Campus Co-branded Cards (University Tie-ups)

Benefits: Tuition discounts, book store offers, sometimes no fee first year.

9) Low-limit “Starter” Credit Cards

Benefits: Low credit limit for cautious spending and building credit history.

10) Family Co-badged Cards

Benefits: Linked to family account with parental controls and spending alerts.

Practical note: Student card availability & features change often — compare issuer pages for the latest student programs and secured-card terms.

6. Student Credit Cards Apply Process (Online + Offline)

Online (Secured / Student / Add-on)

1. Choose the route: secured FD card, add-on, campus tie-up or co-signed card.
2. For secured: open FD with the issuing bank (or use existing FD) and apply via bank portal.
3. For add-on: primary cardholder applies for supplementary card via bank portal or customer care.
4. Upload KYC: Aadhaar, PAN (or PAN exemption via Form 60), student ID if required.
5. eKYC & verification — approval in 3–10 business days depending on issuer.

Offline

Visit the bank branch or campus card desk, submit necessary documents and FD proof (if secured). Agents can help process co-applicant or add-on requests.

Important: For co-signed or add-on cards, the primary applicant (parent) is legally responsible for payments.

7. Charges of Student Credit Cards

• Joining Fee: Often nil or nominal for student cards.
• Annual Fee: ₹0 – ₹1,000 usually; many student/add-on cards are free.
• Interest Rate: Revolving interest applies on unpaid balances (check issuer APR).
• Cash Advance Fee: Usually 2–3% (avoid cash withdrawals).
• FD lien / blocking: For secured cards, bank may place a lien on FD until card closure.
• Late Payment Fee: ₹100 – ₹1000 depending on outstanding.

8. Benefits of Student Credit Cards

• Build Credit History: On-time payments improve CIBIL for future loans.
• Access to Offers: Student discounts, fintech promotions, e-commerce deals.
• Emergency Credit: For urgent expenses like travel or laptop repair.
• Convert Big Buys to EMI: Laptops, phones or course fees with easy EMI.
• Parental Controls: For add-on/family linked cards parents can monitor spends.

9. Eligibility & Required Documents

10. Useful Links

• SBI – Official (Check student/add-on options)
• HDFC Bank – Secured & Student Options
• ICICI Bank – Add-on & Campus Programs
• Axis Bank – Student/Starter Cards
• Policy Aggregator – Compare Cards

11. FAQs — Click a question to expand

• Q1: Can students get a credit card without income proof? / क्या छात्र बिना इनकम प्रूफ के कार्ड ले सकते हैं?

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  Yes — via secured (FD-backed) cards, add-on (supplementary) cards through parents, campus tie-up cards or co-signed cards. Each route has different terms and liabilities. / जी हाँ — FD-backed secured cards, parents के add-on cards, campus cards या co-signed cards के ज़रिये बिना सैलरी प्रूफ के कार्ड मिल सकते हैं।

• Q2: What is a secured credit card and how does it work? / सिक्योर्ड कार्ड क्या होता है?

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  A secured card uses your fixed deposit as collateral. The bank gives a credit limit (often 70–95% of FD). It helps build credit score and is returned once the FD is closed and card settled. / FD को security के रूप में रख कर बैंक credit देता है; FD हटने पर security release हो जाती है।

• Q3: Are add-on cards safe for students? / Add-on कार्ड छात्रों के लिए सुरक्षित हैं?

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  Add-on cards give benefits instantly but the primary cardholder (parent) is liable for payments. Use parental controls and spend alerts to stay safe. / Add-on से सुविधा मिलती है पर भुगतान की जिम्मेदारी primary cardholder की रहती है।

• Q4: Will using a student card affect my credit score? / क्या छात्र कार्ड क्रेडिट स्कोर प्रभावित करता है?

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  Positive: timely full payments build score. Negative: missed payments or high credit utilisation hurt score. Use responsibly. / समय पर भुगतान करने से स्कोर सुधरता है; देर होने या अधिक उपयोग से नुकसान होता है।

• Q5: Which option is best to start credit history? / क्रेडिट हिस्ट्री शुरू करने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका क्या है?

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  Secured FD-backed card or low-limit starter card is best for students — they are low-risk and help establish repayment track record. / FD-backed secured card या low-limit starter card अच्छे विकल्प हैं।

• Q6: Do student cards offer rewards and discounts? / क्या छात्र कार्ड पर रिवॉर्ड्स मिलते हैं?

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  Many offer welcome offers, merchant discounts (food, OTT, study tools). Check the card benefits page. / कुछ कार्ड्स पर food, OTT व अन्य डिस्काउंट मिलते हैं — कार्ड पेज देखें।

• Q7: Can I upgrade a student/secured card later? / क्या बाद में अपग्रेड कर सकते हैं?

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  Yes — after building credit & meeting income requirements you may upgrade to a regular unsecured card. / हाँ — अच्छे repayment track पर आप बाद में साधारण कार्ड में upgrade कर सकते हैं।

• Q8: Is there a minimum age for student credit cards? / न्यूनतम आयु क्या है?

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  Usually 18+ for most cards. Campus tie-ups may have specific university rules. / आम तौर पर 18 वर्ष से ऊपर जरूरी है; campus cards में यूनिवर्सिटी नियम अलग हो सकते हैं।

• Q9: Can I get a credit limit increase on secured cards? / क्या secured कार्ड पर लिमिट बढ़ती है?

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  Limit tied to FD amount mainly — increasing FD or bank review may raise limit. Responsible usage helps for future unsecured upgrade. / FD के अनुसार लिमिट तय होती है; FD बढ़ाने या बैंक review से लिमिट बदल सकती है।

• Q10: What if I miss payments on a student card? / भुगतान miss होने पर क्या होगा?

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  Late fees & interest apply, and missed payments affect CIBIL. Parents/co-applicants may be contacted. Always pay at least minimum on time. / लेट फीस और ब्याज लगेगा; CIBIL पर नकारात्मक प्रभाव होगा।

12. Conclusion

English: For students wanting to build credit without income proof, secured FD-backed cards, add-on cards via parents, and campus student cards are practical starting points. Start small, pay on time, avoid cash advances, and upgrade to unsecured cards as your credit history strengthens.

हिंदी: जिन छात्रों को इनकम प्रूफ नहीं है वे secured (FD-backed) कार्ड या parents के add-on कार्ड से शुरुआत कर सकते हैं। धीरे-धीरे सही भुगतान आदतें बनाकर आप बेहतर कार्ड हासिल कर पाएँगे।