Earning under ₹25K and still dreaming of a credit card? You’re not alone. Maybe you’ve already applied once, got rejected, and quietly told yourself, “Shayad credit card mere liye nahi hai.” But here’s the truth: there are genuinely good, low-drama credit cards for low income in India; especially if your salary is under ₹25,000.
In this post, you’ll discover:
- Cards that are actually beginner-friendly (not aspirational “premium” nonsense)
- How to pick the best beginner credit card in India for your situation
- Secured cards that say “yes” even when your income is low or unstable
- And toward the end, a simple 2-card recommendation if you just want: “Bas yeh batao, kaunsa le lu?”
Let’s start with the big fear first.
Can You Really Get a Credit Card on a Low Income in India?
Short answer: Yes.
Slightly longer answer: Yes, but you have to choose strategically.
Most entry-level cards in India start around ₹15,000–₹25,000 monthly salary. Some are stricter, some are lenient, and some don’t even ask for income proof if you’re willing to open a Fixed Deposit (FD).
Banks usually look at:
- Income (₹15K, ₹20K, ₹25K+ slabs)
- Job type (salaried > self-employed for easy approvals)
- City (metro approvals are usually tighter)
- Existing relationship with the bank
- Basic credit history, if any
If your income is low but stable, unsecured beginner cards can work.
If your income is low and your profile is thin (no history / no payslips/gaps in work), FD-backed secured cards make life much easier.
We’ll cover both.
How to Choose the Right Low-Income Credit Card (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Before we jump to card names, let’s do a quick checklist.
If your salary is under ₹25K, your card should ideally:
- Have low or zero annual fee (or easy spend-based waiver)
- Reward you on actual life: groceries, fuel, bills, UPI, Amazon/Flipkart
- Be easy to get with your current income / FD amount
- Help you build your credit score, not trap you in EMI and fees
Also decide this upfront:
“Do I want the absolute cheapest and simplest card,
or the maximum cashback even if there’s a small fee?”
Once you’re clear, choosing gets a lot easier.
Best Beginner-Friendly Credit Cards for Low Income in India (Under ₹25K Salary)
1. ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card
Best if you want: “One simple, free starter card.”
This is a classic starter card and honestly one of the cleanest options if you hate overthinking.
- Lifetime free: No joining fee, no annual fee.
- Rewards on everyday spends like shopping, utilities, etc.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at select pumps.
Why it works for low income:
You don’t need to worry, “Yaar, annual fee vasool hua ya nahi?”
You can simply use it for normal spends, pay in full, and quietly build your score.
Take this if:
You want a no-mental-load, no-fee first card from a big bank and your income is closer to the ₹20K mark.
2. Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Best if you shop regularly on Amazon.
If you buy anything and everything from Amazon, this will feel like cheating (in a good way).
- Lifetime free credit card — no joining or renewal fee.
- Extra cashback on Amazon purchases, especially as a Prime member.
- 1% on other spends, plus partner offers through Amazon Pay.
Why it works for low income:
If a big chunk of your monthly budget goes through Amazon anyway (groceries, baby products, beauty, home items), Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card turns those expenses into savings without extra effort.
Take this if:
You’re in the ₹20K–₹25K salary bracket, shop on Amazon often, and want a high-value, best beginner credit card in India specifically for online shopping.
3. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
Best if you spend more on offline life: groceries, dining, movies.
SBI SimplySave is one of the most popular entry-level cards.
- 10X reward points on dining, movies, groceries, and departmental stores.
- Annual fee around ₹499, usually waived if you spend about ₹1 lakh in a year.
Why it works for low income:
Your “normal” spends (groceries, dinner outings, movie nights) get accelerated rewards. If your salary is under ₹25K but you have a family and most spend is offline, this fits.
Take this if:
You’re okay with a small fee (that can be waived) and you want a rewards-heavy offline card.
4. HDFC MoneyBack / MoneyBack+
Best if you want a “do-it-all” beginner card from HDFC.
HDFC loves to push MoneyBack to first-time users.
- Reward points on almost every spend (online + offline).
- Often comes with offers, EMI options, and decent app experience.
Why it works for low income:
If you already bank with HDFC and they’re offering you MoneyBack or MoneyBack+, it can be a smooth entry into the credit world with a known bank.
Take this if:
You’re okay managing multiple offers and want a balanced all-rounder as your first card.
5. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
Best if you pay most bills online and use Google Pay.
Axis Bank Ace credit card is slightly higher on the “income/intensity” side but super rewarding.
- Strong cashback on bill payments via Google Pay, and on food delivery/ride apps.
- Flat cashback on all other spends.
Why it works for low income (closer to ₹25K):
If your salary is modest but your digital spends are high (electricity, postpaid, broadband, Swiggy, Zomato, Ola/Uber), this makes each of those rupees work harder.
Take this if:
You’re at the upper end of the under-₹25K range and are disciplined with online spends.
Secured Credit Cards: When Income Is Low But You Can Park an FD
If your salary is very low, irregular, or you don’t have proper proof, unsecured cards might keep rejecting you.
That doesn’t mean the story ends.
Enter: secured cards — credit cards issued against a Fixed Deposit.
Think of it like this:
“You give the bank an FD; the bank gives you a card with a limit linked to that FD.”
The best part? Approval is much easier, and you start building your credit history.
6. Kotak 811 Dream Different Credit Card
FD-backed, lifetime free, very beginner-friendly.
- Issued against an FD (often starting as low as ₹10,000).
- Credit limit up to ~90% of your FD amount.
- Lifetime free, with rewards on online spends.
Why it works for low income:
No need to stress about CIBIL score or income proofs. Your FD does the convincing.
Take this if:
You can lock ₹10K+ in an FD and want one of the most straightforward beginner-friendly secured credit cards for low income in India.
7. Kotak811 super.money Credit Card
FD-backed, tiny FD requirement, for super-low or patchy income.
- FD starting around ₹5,000 only.
- Lifetime free and meant to help even low-score users build credit.
Why it works for low income:
Even if you can’t do a big FD, this lets you enter the credit system with a small amount.
Take this if:
You’re just starting, freelance, between jobs, or rebuilding your credit, and can only spare a small FD.
8. SBI Unnati Credit Card
Secured card from a big, trusted name.
- Issued against an FD with SBI (starting around ₹25K).
- Generally considered fee-free for the first few years in many variants.
Why it works for low income:
You can walk into an SBI branch, open an FD, and walk out with a SBI Unnati credit card — without worrying about salary slips.
Take this if:
Your family already trusts SBI, and you prefer a PSU bank for your first card.
9. IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card (FD-backed, LTF)
- Issued against an FD (around ₹20K or more).
- IDFC Wow credit card is lifetime free, app-first experience, helps build credit.
Take this if:
You want a modern app, no annual fee, and a smooth experience while starting your credit journey.
Co-Branded Cards That Work Well for Small Budgets
These are great if you heavily use one platform.
Amazon Pay ICICI (Revisited)
Already covered above — still one of the best beginner credit cards in India for serious Amazon users.
Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card
Best if most of your shopping is on Flipkart/Myntra/Cleartrip.
IRCTC SBI Credit Cards
Good if train tickets are a big part of your life — students, families, frequent travellers.
IndianOil HDFC Credit Card
If a painful share of your ₹15K–₹25K salary goes into fuel, this can quietly save decent money over time.
(Don’t worry if this feels like too many names.
In a minute, I’ll give you a simple “If–Then” pick-one framework.)
How to Use a Beginner Credit Card on a Low Salary (Without Drowning in Debt)
Getting the card is step 1.
Using it without anxiety is where the real game is.
Some simple rules:
- Treat limit ≠ extra income.
If your salary is ₹20K and limit is ₹40K, that doesn’t mean you’re rich. It means the bank wants you to slip. - Always pay in full. Every month.
Not minimum due. Not “thoda sa”. Full.
Interest on cards is brutal. Think 30–40%+ annually. - Keep utilisation under 30%.
If your limit is ₹20K, try staying under ₹6K–₹7K most months. It helps your credit score. - Use it only for planned spends.
Groceries, fuel, bills, online orders you would anyway pay for in cash/UPI. - Set auto-pay + SMS reminders.
Think of this as non-negotiable. One missed payment can hurt your score and wallet.
Remember:
The best beginner credit card in India is useless if it becomes a stress machine.
Common Mistakes Low-Income Users Make (You Don’t Have To)
Let’s quickly look at what not to do.
1. Applying for too many cards at once
Multiple applications = multiple hard enquiries = lower chances and possible score drop.
2. Ignoring fees & fine print
Late payment fee, cash withdrawal charges, and overlimit fee — all sting more when your salary is small.
3. Using card for cash withdrawal
This is almost always a bad idea: interest + fees start from day one.
4. Swiping for impulse buys
Sale FOMO is the fastest way to a statement you can’t clear.
If you can avoid just these four mistakes, you’re already ahead of most beginners.
How to Grow From “Low Income” to “High Limit, Better Cards”
You don’t stay a beginner forever.
Here’s the upgrade path:
- Use your first card for 9–12 months.
Pay on time, in full, every month. - Keep a clean record.
No bounces, no overlimit, no heavy cash withdrawals. - After a salary hike, ask for a limit increase.
A higher limit (with the same spending) helps your utilisation ratio and score. - Then upgrade.
Once your income and score improve, you can move to travel cards, premium cashback cards, lounge access, etc.
Your first card — whether it’s ICICI Platinum Chip, Amazon Pay ICICI, or a Kotak 811 FD-backed card — is just a tool to unlock better options later.
So… Which Card Should You Pick?
If you just want a direct suggestion:
- If you want the simplest, safest start (no fee):
👉 ICICI Bank Platinum Chip Credit Card - If you shop a lot on Amazon and pay most bills online:
👉 Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card - If your profile is weak / income very low / no salary slips, but you can park some FD:
👉 Kotak 811 Dream Different or Kotak811 super.money (depending on how much FD you can spare)
Any of these, used responsibly, can be a powerful credit card for low income in India and set you up for bigger, better cards later.
