Best Credit Cards for Students in India 2025 – Build Credit & Earn Rewards

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If you’re a student, getting your first credit card can feel like a big step. The right card can help you manage expenses, build a strong credit score, and even earn cashback or rewards on your everyday purchases.

But with so many options out there, it can be confusing to know which card is actually worth getting. Don’t worry — we’ve researched and compared the best credit cards for students in India for 2025 so you can make a smart choice.

Why Students Should Consider a Credit Card

  • Build Credit Score Early – Helps in getting loans later (home, car, personal loans).

  • Learn Financial Discipline – Helps track spending and build budgeting habits.

  • Earn Cashback & Rewards – Save money on online shopping, food delivery, and subscriptions.

  • Emergency Fund Access – Use it for urgent expenses when short on cash.

Top 7 Best Credit Cards for Students (2025)

Here’s our handpicked list of student-friendly credit cards, keeping zero annual fees, easy approval, and rewards in mind.

1. SBI Student Plus Advantage Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Perfect for SBI Education Loan holders – you can apply against a fixed deposit.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0 (if you spend ₹35,000 annually)

  • Reward Points: 1 RP for every ₹100 spent

  • Benefits: Fuel surcharge waiver, easy cash withdrawal, global acceptance

  • Best For: Students with an SBI account

2. HDFC ForexPlus ISIC Student Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Ideal for students going abroad for studies.

  • Type: Prepaid Forex Card (works like a credit card internationally)

  • Special Feature: Comes with ISIC Student Benefits – discounts on travel, education, shopping

  • Low Forex Markup: Saves on foreign currency transactions

  • Best For: Students studying abroad or traveling frequently

3. ICICI Bank Student Forex Prepaid Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Safe & secure option for international students.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0

  • Features: Emergency card replacement worldwide, travel insurance

  • Best For: Students who want a prepaid, reloadable card for global use

4. Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Zero annual fee lifetime credit card.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0

  • Reward Points: 1 RP per ₹100 spent

  • Benefits: Fuel surcharge waiver, 2.5% interest on Kotak 811 account

  • Best For: Students who want a free credit card without FD

5. Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Apply easily against a fixed deposit, no income proof needed.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0

  • Features: Contactless card, EMI option on big purchases

  • Best For: Students with no credit history

6. IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card

✅ Why It’s Great: Unlimited cashback with no joining fees.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0

  • Cashback: 1% on offline spends, 1.5% on online spends

  • Benefits: Free roadside assistance, movie discounts

  • Best For: Students who shop online frequently

7. Slice UPI + Card

✅ Why It’s Great: UPI + Credit combined – pay anywhere with UPI while building credit history.

  • Annual Fee: ₹0

  • Pay Later Option: Split bills into 3 months EMI with 0% interest

  • Best For: Students who prefer UPI payments

Tips to Use Your Student Credit Card Wisely

  1. Pay Full Bill on Time: Avoid late fees & interest.

  2. Keep Utilization <30%: Don’t max out your credit limit – keeps your credit score healthy.

  3. Track Your Spending: Use banking app to monitor expenses.

  4. Avoid Cash Withdrawals: They have high charges.

Conclusion

A student credit card can be a powerful tool if used smartly. In 2025, options like SBI Student Plus, Kotak 811 DreamDifferent, and IDFC FIRST Millennia offer zero annual fees, rewards, and simple eligibility — perfect for first-time users.

Choose the card that matches your spending habits, pay your bills on time, and you’ll be setting yourself up for a strong financial future.

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