Student Credit Cards in India

A student credit card helps students manage their finances. These credit card include all the standard features of a credit card, like reward points, discounts, and interest-free period. These cards, which come in secured or entry-level varieties, serve as an excellent resource for teaching students about money management and the fundamentals of creating creditworthiness.  

Updated On - 05 Sep 2025
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How to Apply for a Student Credit Card

  1. Student credit cards are the latest entrants in the credit card industry that help college students manage their expenses on their own. However, not all the students are eligible to get a student credit card.
  2. Various banks and financial institutions have come up with a different set of eligibility criteria to issue a student credit card. Only those who meet the criteria would become eligible to apply for a credit card.
  3. While some banks such as the State Bank of India provide credit cards only to its education loan customers.
  4. Whichever is the process, if you are a student above 18 years of age and would like to apply for a student credit card, you must first know which bank is offering best student credit cards and process to apply for the same.
  5. Once you meet the eligibility criteria set by the bank, you can check with the bank about the procedure to apply for the same.
  6. Not all the banks follow the same process. Hence, it's imperative to talk to the bank personal about the bank-specific process of applying for a student credit card.
  7. While a few banks allow you to apply online, others may require you to visit the bank branch and submit an application directly.
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Student Credit Card Eligibility & Document Requirements

Eligibility

  1. Above 18 years of age
  2. Must be a college going student

Documents Required

  1. Birth certificate
  2. Identity card issued by the college/university
  3. Proof of residential address
  4. Recent passport size photograph
  5. PAN card (Permanent Account Number)

Note: You don’t need to provide income proof to apply for a secured credit card, add-on card, or student credit card. However, some banks might be willing to give you a standard credit card if you are a student with a stable source of income. You must provide your income documentation in such cases including your bank statement, ITR, and salary slip.  

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Types of Student Credit Cards in India

With banks offering student credit card without the applicants needing to provide any employment documents or Income Tax returns, there must be some doubt as to how a student can apply for credit card.

Below, we discuss the ways how a student can get a credit card in their name:

  1. Against fixed deposit: A student can look to avail a student credit card based on the fixed deposit that he/she might have in his/her name. However, banks usually require a minimum fixed deposit amount to apply for the credit card.
  2. Through add-on card: Another way to get a student credit card is by requesting any of the family members who have a credit card to apply for an add-on in the student's name. However, for that, the member who is requesting for the add-on card must have a good credit history.
  3. Strong savings account: An individual can also avail a student credit card if they have a strong savings history from which they intend to apply. However, this facility is provided to the customers by only a few banks.
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Students aged 18 years and above can apply for student credit cards from leading card issuers. Take a look at the list of top student credit cards in India.

Top Student Credit Cards in India for 2025

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Benefits of Student Credit Cards

Credit Limits

Student credit cards have a lower credit limit compared to other credit cards offered by banks. On average, a student credit card has a credit limit of Rs. 15, 000. This is done to ensure that the cardholders do not incur debts as a result of unrestricted spending.

Card Validity

Student credit cards are generally valid for a period of five years from the issue date, as compared to regular credit cards which have a three years validity period

Duplicate card free of cost

If the student credit card holder misplaces their card or it is stolen, a duplicate card would be issued free of cost or at a very nominal charge

Waiver of fees

Student credit cards often do not have a joining fee and have very low annual charges, making it easier for students to maintain the cards

Documentation

Students credit cards do not require exhaustive documentation, unlike most other credit cards. The bare minimum of documentation is required when applying for a card

Special deals and rewards

  1. The student cards come bundled with rewards and loyalty programs that offer cashback or cash points when a certain amount is spent using the card. The cards also have special offers and discounts on services as well as purchases worldwide.
  2. If the cardholder wishes to, the student credit card can be upgraded to a regular credit card anytime during the card's validity.
Student Credit Cards in India

HDFC Bank ForexPlus Card

  1. The HDFC Bank ForexPlus Card is a boon for students who study abroad and require easy access to funds in multiple currencies. HDFC offers a prepaid card that works like a credit card, with the amount debited directly from the card.
  2. For students living abroad, currency fluctuations are a constant problem. This card protects cardholders by allowing them to deposit money in all major foreign currencies. It also shields withdrawals and transactions from exchange rate fluctuations when conducted in any of the supported currencies
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MNSBBY Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme

Bihar Students Credit Card Yojana was launched on 2 October 2016 with an aim to help students of Bihar financially who have passed Std.12 for their further studies. The aim of the government through this initiative is to bridge the gap between the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Bihar. The students of Bihar can apply for this credit card online.

Under this program, the state government will loan up to Rs.4 lakh to underprivileged Bihar state 12th grade students who want to pursue further education. The loan amount can be used to finance a B.Sc, B.A., M.B.B.S., or B.Tech programs.

Benefits of Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme

Given below are the benefits of Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme:

  1. The loan is provided to the students of Bihar to pursue general as well as polytechnic courses.
  2. 1% low interest rate will be charged on the loan provided to girls, divyang, and transgender students.
  3. The amount can be used to pau fees, buy books and laptops.
  4. The students need to repay the loan amount once they secure jobs after the completion of the program.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for MNSSBY

Given below are the eligibility criteria to apply for MNSSBY:

  1. A students should be a resident of Bihar.
  2. He or she should complete Std.12.
  3. He or she should be less than 25 years of age.
  4. A students should apply for his or her higher studies at an authorized institute.
  5. He or she should complete the higher education course.
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How to Apply For MNSSBY

Given below are the steps to apply for MNSSBY:

  1. Visit https://www.7nishchay-yuvaupmission.bihar.gov.in/addFtrUserPage.
  2. Enter all the required details like your name, mobile number, email ID, and Aadhar number.
  3. Click on 'Send OTP'.
  4. You will receive an OTP (One Time Password) on your mobile number and email ID.
  5. Enter the OTP and click on 'Submit'.
  6. Once, the registration is done, click on 'Go to Home Page' option.
  7. Login using your credentials.
  8. Now, enter all your personal details and click on 'Submit'.
  9. Choose 'Bihar Student Credit Card' option under 'Select Scheme' section.
  10. Next, the details of applicant and co-applicant.
  11. Click on 'Submit'.
  12. Once, done, you will receive a copy of acknowledgement on your registered email ID.

West Bengal Student Credit Card

The Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal, launched the West Bengal Student Credit Card (WBSCC) initiative to help students pursue their education without financial restrictions. Students whether they are pursuing secondary or post-graduate degree education can avail WBSCC.  

Under this scheme, a student can apply for a loan of up to Rs.10 lakh at an annual interest rate of 4% p.a. from the State Cooperative Bank and its other affiliated banks.

The maximum age of eligibility is 40 years old at the time of applying for loan, whereas the tenure for the repayment of the loan is 15 years.

You can simply click on the link https://wbscc.wb.gov.in/ where you will have to click on 'Student Registration' to register yourself where you will have to provide the relevant details and create a login id and password. You can choose this option regardless of whether you wish to pursue your education in India or abroad.

Once you have created the login id and password, click on 'Student Login' using the credentials where you can apply for the loan. Submit the application form and the relevant documents. If all the documents submitted by you are correct, your application for a loan will be sanctioned.

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HDFC Bank ISIC Student ForexPlus Chip Card

  1. Receive a complimentary ISIC Identity Card, globally recognized. 
  2. The HDFC Bank ISIC Student Forex Card serves not only as a forex card but also as an internationally recognized Student identity card. Since 1968, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endorsed the ISIC card, which universities, academic institutions, student unions, national governments, financial institutions, and ministries of education worldwide recognize.   
  3. ISIC cardholders enjoy preferential and discounted access to over 150,000 products, services, and experiences in more than 130 countries, catering to various aspects of student life.
  4. ISIC cardholders can avail offers on educational courses, software licenses, digital communications, public transport, magazine subscriptions, music streaming, cafes, eateries, music festivals, theme parks, sporting events, world heritage sites, and more.
  5. For details on available offers, visit: https://www.isic.org/discounts/.
  6. You can get the card as a single-currency forex card in USD, EUR, or GBP. The card is accepted at all VISA and MasterCard merchants and establishments worldwide, including online shopping platforms.
  7. ISIC Student Forex Card is one of the safest modes to carry currency while traveling abroad, and in case of loss, the card can be easily and immediately blocked using Prepaid Card NetBanking.
  8. Enjoy a worry-free travel experience with comprehensive insurance covers that come FREE with Forex Cards, including protection up to Rs.5 lakh against misuse due to counterfeiting/skimming, road/rail accident insurance (Death cover only) coverage up to Rs.2 lakh, air accident insurance (Death cover only) coverage up to Rs.5 lakh, loss of checked-in baggage cover coverage up to Rs.20,000, loss of personal documents (only Passport reconstruction) coverage up to Rs.50,000, and loss of cash in transit coverage up to Rs.60,000.

ICICI Bank Student Forex Prepaid Card

  1. Receive complimentary access to international airport lounges.
  2. Get a free Uber voucher valued at Rs.500.
  3. Enjoy membership to the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) worth Rs.999.
  4. Receive a free international SIM card.
  5. Avail one monthly waiver on ATM fees.
  6. Enjoy a 20% discount on courier services provided by DHL.
  7. Benefit from Lost Card/Counterfeit Card liability coverage up to Rs.5 lakh.

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card

The FIRST WOW! Credit Card comes with a host of attractive offers that let you spend money and accrue reward points. You can use these reward points to redeem for additional discounts online at any time.  

Features and benefits: 

  1. Get a fixed deposit interest rate of up to 7.25%.
  2. Credit history and income proof are not needed.
  3. There is no annual or joining fee.
  4. Enjoy discounts at over 300 merchants and 1,500+ restaurants across the country.
  5. The interest rates offered are 9% p.a. onwards.
  6. Earn 4X reward points for your purchases.
  7. Get credit shield protection against fraud and theft.
  8. Get 100% of the fixed deposit amount as the credit limit.
  9. There is no forex conversion fee.

Add-on Credit Cards for Students

Supplementary cards issued against a primary credit card are known as add-on cards. Because it doesn't require the same level of review as a regular credit card, this is the simplest method to obtain one. An add-on card won't help if you want to obtain a student credit card in order to raise your credit score. Add-on cards are only available to the primary user's immediate family. The add-on cardholder shares the primary cardholder's credit limit. 

The benefits of a student’s add-on credit card are as follows: 

  1. You can be sure that your money will be promptly returned if you get charged for an incorrect transaction. 
  2. The majority of credit card issuers give add-on cardholders access to practically all of their benefits. Dining benefits, discounts, movie vouchers, etc., are some of the benefits. 
  3. The credit limit of your parent will be shared with you.

FAQs on Student Credit Card

  • Can I get a student credit card without a job?

    A student can apply for a student credit card if he or she is not working. Depending on the spending habits of the student, a primary credit card can be given.

  • How much income do you need for a student credit card?

    Since students will ideally not have an income, banks have introduced student credit cards which are specifically meant for students and will not require any income source. The application for a credit card for a student can be done against an existing fixed deposit account.

  • Can a student hold multiple student credit cards?

    A student cannot hold multiple student credit cards since he or she will not have an active credit score and a credit card will be given against an already existing fixed deposit.

  • How do I check my student credit card status?

    You can check the status of the credit card by logging in to the net banking account of the primary cardholder in case an add-on credit card has been applied for. Apart from this, the student can also call the credit card customer care of the bank to enquire about the status.

  • What credit limits do banks offer with student credit card in India?

    Bank usually offer a credit limit of Rs.15,000 for student credit card in India.

  • Is there any joining fee for student credit card in India?

    No, banks do not charge any joining fee for student credit card in India.

  • What are the documents that are needed to apply for a student credit card in India?

    Documents like a PAN card, Aadhaar card, birth certificate, and identity card issued by the college/university are needed to apply for a student credit card in India.

  • What is the annual interest rate for West Bengal Student Credit Card?

    Student can get Rs.10 lakh at the annual interest rate of 4% p.a with WBSCC Student Credit Card.

  • Can students use secured credit cards abroad?

    Yes, students studying abroad are able to use credit cards that are issued against fixed deposits. However, keep in mind that every transaction will be subject to a foreign transaction fee. Withdrawals from ATMs will also be subject to finance charges and cash withdrawal fees.

  • Can minors obtain credit cards?

    Yes, add-on credit cards are available for minors. Certain banks allow students from the age of 15 years to apply for add-on credit cards.

  • What is the difference between a secured and an unsecured student credit card?

    A secured student credit card requires a deposit as collateral, while an unsecured card does not, relying on the student's creditworthiness.

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