VVyaya
Curated Picks|Updated October 2026

Best Credit Cards for Students (October 2026)

Students need cards with zero annual fees, easy eligibility, and practical everyday rewards. A student card should help build credit history without creating financial pressure.

Quick answer

Our top pick for credit cards for students is the Scapia Federal Credit Card from Federal (no annual fee). Best lifetime-free option: Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite (SC). Ranked from 156 Indian credit cards Vyaya tracks, with fees and earn rates re-verified against issuer terms (October 2026).

How to Choose

  • Pick a card with zero or very low annual fee
  • Check if the bank offers a student-specific variant or FD-backed card
  • Look for cashback on categories you spend on — food delivery, online shopping, transport
  • Avoid cards that require high income proof or credit history

Top 15 Cards for Credit Cards for Students

#1

Scapia Federal Credit Card

4.5

Federal · No annual fee · 5% rewards

#2

Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

4.5

SC · No annual fee · 2% rewards

#3

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

5

ICICI · No annual fee · 1% rewards

#4

IDBI Eclat

4

IDBI · No annual fee · 1% rewards

#5

IDBI LIC CSL Eclat Select

4

IDBI · No annual fee · 1% rewards

#6

IndusInd Pinnacle

4.5

IndusInd · No annual fee · 0.75% rewards

#7

IDBI Royale Signature

IDBI · No annual fee · 0.75% rewards

#8

ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature

4.5

ICICI · No annual fee · 0.62% rewards

#9

Axis Insta Easy

Axis · No annual fee · 0.6% rewards

#10

AU ixigo

5

AU · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

#11

AU NoMo

4.5

AU · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

#12

IndusInd Legend

4.5

IndusInd · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

#13

Federal MagniFi Fi

4

Federal · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

#14

IDFC First Classic

4

IDFC First · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

#15

IndusInd Nexxt

4

IndusInd · No annual fee · 0.5% rewards

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students get a credit card in India?
Yes, many banks offer credit cards to students, either as add-on cards, FD-backed secured cards, or student-specific products. Banks like ICICI, SBI, and Axis have options for students with minimal documentation.
What is the best first credit card for students?
A lifetime free card or a secured card against FD is the safest starting point. Look for cards with no annual fee and decent cashback on online purchases and food delivery.
Do students need income proof for a credit card?
Not always. FD-backed cards typically do not need income proof. Some banks offer student cards based on parent income or college enrolment.

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