Best First Credit Cards (No Credit History)

Best First Credit Cards (No Credit History) compared

SBI Cashback Credit Card

Best for anyone whose spending is mostly online

5% cashback on all online spends with no merchant restriction

Our take. The simplest high-return card in India. If your online spending exceeds about ₹20,000 a month, the 5% pays for the fee several times over and nothing needs to be redeemed or converted.

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

Best for young professionals with heavy e-commerce and food delivery spending

5% cashback on Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, Zomato and other partner merchants

Our take. A sensible first or second card. The caps mean the realistic return is closer to 2.4% than the advertised 5%, but at a ₹1,000 fee that is still comfortably positive.

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Best for everyday cashback on bills and food delivery

5% cashback on bill payments and recharges via Google Pay, 4% on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola

Our take. The best flat-rate cashback card in India. The unlimited 2% base is what makes it work — you never have to think about categories, which is worth more in practice than a higher capped rate.

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

Best for amazon prime households wanting a no-fee card

5% back on Amazon for Prime members, 3% for non-Prime, 1% elsewhere

Our take. The highest-volume credit card in India for good reason. Zero fee and uncapped 5% on Amazon means it can never cost you money — the only question is whether you shop there enough for it to matter.

SBI Card Unnati

Best for building credit history from zero

Issued against a fixed deposit — no income proof or credit history needed

Our take. Not a rewards card and not meant to be. If you have no credit history — a student, a new earner, or someone rebuilding after a default — six months of on-time payments here is the cheapest route to a score that unlocks real cards — how to improve your credit score covers what else moves it in that window.

Effective reward rate is our own blended estimate for a typical spend mix — not the accelerated rate an issuer advertises on one category. Annual fees are shown before the 18% GST that is charged on top. Verify current terms on the issuer’s site before applying; card terms change without notice.

Updated 15 Aug 2026 · Issuer tariff sheets and published comparisons

How to Get Approved for a First Credit Card with No Credit History

Getting your first credit card with a thin credit file can seem hard. Banks usually look for a credit history to check how you repay debts. However, several cards are made for beginners. These have easier approval rules. The Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card, for example, needs a minimum credit score of 700. New applicants can often reach this score. Many first-time card issuers also look at your income and job stability. Which of the four bureaus a lender pulls also matters, and they do not always agree — see CIBIL vs Experian vs Equifax vs CRIF.

Another choice for those with no credit history is a secured credit card. You must deposit money with the bank for these cards. That deposit then becomes your credit limit. This money acts as collateral. It lowers the bank’s risk. This makes approval much easier. Over time, using a secured card responsibly helps build a strong credit score. This lets you apply for unsecured cards later. HDFC Bank also offers options for those without prior credit experience. They focus on responsible usage.

What Credit Limit Can You Expect on Your First Credit Card?

The first credit limit for your first credit card is usually low. Banks are careful with new cardholders. They lack a credit history. For cards like the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card. This targets beginners, limits typically start lower than premium cards. Your limit will depend on your income, job status, and the bank’s own rules. For instance, a salaried person needs a minimum income of ₹300,000 per year for the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card.

As you use your card well and pay on time, banks may raise your credit limit. This often happens after 6-12 months of consistent good behavior. A higher credit limit can improve your credit utilization ratio. This is good for your credit score. Always aim to keep your credit use below 30% of your total limit — utilisation is one of the heaviest of the factors affecting your credit score. This keeps your credit profile healthy. It shows lenders you can manage credit well.

What is the Upgrade Path for Beginner Credit Cards?

Once you build a good credit history with your first credit card, you can often upgrade to a card with better perks. For example, after managing a card like the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card well for a year or two, you might qualify for cards with higher rewards or travel benefits. Banks often offer upgrade paths within their own card options. This lets you move to a card that better fits your changing spending habits and money goals.

HDFC Bank, for instance, offers cards like the Millennia Credit Card. This card gives 5% cashback on partner merchants and domestic lounge access. This could be a natural step up from a basic card. Similarly, SBI Card offers the SBI Cashback Credit Card with 5% cashback on online spends. Upgrading usually means showing consistent on-time payments and a good credit utilization ratio. Always compare the fees and benefits of new cards. This ensures they match your financial aims.