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How to Get Your First Credit Card With No Credit History
Updated 23 September 2026 · Compares 4 cards
Banks decide on credit cards largely based on your credit history, your CIBIL score. But you can't build a history without credit. The way out of this loop is a secured credit card backed by a fixed deposit (FD), or an entry-level card from a bank where you already have an account.
Quick comparison
| Card | Fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| IDFC FIRST WOW! (FD-backed) | Lifetime free | Against a Fixed Deposit - no income proof or credit history needed |
| Kotak 811 Credit Card | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Kiwi Axis Bank (RuPay) | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Amazon Pay ICICI Bank | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
Our picks in detail
IDFC FIRST WOW! (FD-backed)
Issued against a fixed deposit, so there's no income proof or credit check. It's lifetime free, has zero forex markup, and reports to credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your score.
Highlights
- Against a Fixed Deposit - no income proof or credit history needed
- Lifetime free
- Zero forex markup
- Builds your CIBIL score
Keep in mind
- Credit limit tied to FD amount
- Low rewards
Fee waiver: not available · Forex markup: 0% · Lounge: None
See details on the IDFC FIRST Bank website →Kotak 811 Credit Card
Lifetime free and can be issued against a Kotak 811 FD, fully digitally. A simple first card to start building history.
Highlights
- Lifetime free
- Can be issued against a Kotak 811 fixed deposit - good for building credit history
- Instant digital issuance via Kotak 811 app
- Fuel surcharge waiver
Keep in mind
- Low reward rate
- Needs a Kotak 811 account
Fee waiver: not available · Forex markup: 3.5% · Lounge: None
See details on the Kotak Mahindra Bank website →Kiwi Axis Bank (RuPay)
A lifetime-free RuPay card for UPI payments with 1.5% back on offline UPI spends. Approval depends on the bank's checks, but it's a common first card.
Highlights
- Lifetime free
- 1.5% on offline UPI payments via Kiwi app, no cap
- Scan & pay at any UPI QR
Keep in mind
- RuPay card - UPI only, limited online acceptance
- Low online rewards
Fee waiver: not available · Forex markup: 0% · Lounge: None
See details on the Axis Bank x Kiwi website →Amazon Pay ICICI Bank
Easier to get if you already bank with ICICI or shop heavily on Amazon. It's lifetime free, so there's no cost to keeping it as your oldest account.
Highlights
- Lifetime free
- 5% on Amazon for Prime members (3% otherwise)
- 2% on Amazon Pay partner merchants and bill payments
- 1% on everything else, no cap
Keep in mind
- No lounge access
- Cashback credited as Amazon Pay balance
Fee waiver: not available · Forex markup: 1.99% · Lounge: None
See details on the ICICI Bank website →Building your credit score, step by step
- Start with one secured or entry-level card.
- Use it for a few regular expenses (a phone bill, groceries) and keep usage under 30% of your limit.
- Pay the full statement amount on or before the due date, every month. Set up auto-debit.
- After 6–12 months of on-time payments, you'll usually have a score good enough for an unsecured card with better rewards.
- Keep your first card open. Its age helps your score.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't apply for many cards at once. Each application is a hard enquiry and several in a short time lower your score. Avoid paying only the minimum due: interest on credit cards in India is often 3.5–3.75% a month (over 40% a year).
Frequently asked questions
Will an FD-backed card really improve my CIBIL score?
Yes. Secured cards are reported to credit bureaus just like regular cards, so on-time payments build your history.
Can students get a credit card in India?
Students without income usually can't get an unsecured card, but can get an FD-backed card, or an add-on card on a parent's account (though an add-on doesn't build the student's own history).
How we pick: we compare fees, fee waivers, reward rates, monthly caps and exclusions from each bank's published terms, including 2025–26 changes. Estimates assume typical redemption values. CardWise is independent, and card rankings are not influenced by any bank.