College students and new graduates who are about to start their credit adventure are the target market for student credit cards. These cards come with the ease of lower fees while also enjoying benefits. Unlike regular credit cards, applying for student credit cards is free from the tedious application process. Irrespective of the type of credit cards you use, maintaining the credit card better is crucial to build higher credit scores. In this article, let’s learn the list of credit cards that are specially made for students.
What Students Should Look for in a Credit Card
- Low or zero annual fees
- Easy eligibility – FD-based or student-specific
- Benefits of online buying include reward points, discounts, and cashback.
- Digital banking support – mobile app, security features
- EMV chip-enabled cards for security
- Lifetime free options if possible
Top 5 Credit Cards for Students:
1. SBI Student Plus Advantage Credit Card
- Eligibility: Issued against a fixed deposit with SBI (FD minimum of INR 25,000)
- Annual Fees: Usually INR 500 (refundable if the total spend exceeds INR 35,000)
- Online Shopping Benefits:
- Every 100 Indian rupees spent earns one reward point.
- Points can be redeemed for shopping vouchers
- 2.5% fuel surcharge waiver at gas stations (500 min spend)
- Additional Perks:
- Enabled global usage
- Easy tracking using SBI Card app.
- Limitations:
- Not available without FD
- Basic reward rate
2. ICICI Bank Student Travel Card
- Eligibility:
- Ideal for students going abroad; available via educational loan process or documentation
Card Type: Prepaid forex card usable online & offline - Online Shopping Benefits:
- Usable on international e-commerce platforms (Amazon Global, Netflix, etc.)
- Locked-in forex rate—no surprise conversion charges
- Additional Features:
- Accepted at over 2 million ATMs worldwide
- Complimentary ISIC student ID for discounts in 130+ countries
- Insurance cover for lost card/missed flights
- Limitations:
- Not a traditional credit card (no credit score impact)
- INR transactions may incur fees
3. HDFC Multicurrency ForexPlus Card
- Eligibility: No income required; reloadable prepaid card
- Card Type: Not a credit card, but an excellent credit alternative
- Online Shopping Benefits:
- Usable for online subscriptions (Spotify, Coursera, Amazon, etc.)
- 23 currency wallets with no in-wallet cross-currency fees
- Why Students Like It:
- Safer than debit/credit cards for first-time users
- Works even if you don’t have a stable income
- Track balance & reload via HDFC app
- Limitations:
- No credit score benefits
- Annual maintenance fee applicable (₹500)
Also read: Top 10 Business Credit Cards in India for 2025- Rewards, Cashback & Perks Inside!
4. Axis Bank Insta Easy Credit Card
- Eligibility: Fixed deposit of ₹20,000+ required
Annual Fee: ₹500 (reversed on ₹50,000 annual spend) - Online Shopping Benefits:
- 1% cashback on all purchases (including online)
- 15% off on dining at partner restaurants
- Other Features:
- Instant approval if you hold an FD with Axis
- No income documents required
- EMV chip for secure transactions
- Limitations:
- Cashback capped monthly
- FD is mandatory
5. Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card
- Eligibility: Fixed deposit of ₹15,000+
- Annual Fee: Zero (lifetime free)
- Online Shopping Benefits:
- For every ₹100 purchased online, earn two reward points.
- Able to exchange points for Amazon and Flipkart coupons
- Highlights:
- No joining fee, no annual fee
- Instant issuance for Kotak 811 savings account holders
- Ideal for budget-conscious students
- Digital Assistance: Complete command via the Kotak mobile banking app
- Limitations:
- Needs FD to apply
- Not suitable for international use
Comparison Table
| Credit Card | Type | Annual Fee | Key Benefits | Eligibility |
| SBI Student Plus | Credit | INR 500 | Reward points & fuel waiver | FD based |
| ICICI Student Travel | Prepaid | Varies | Forex protection & discounts | Loan/Student documents |
| HDFC Multicurrency Forexplus | Prepaid | INR 500 | Multi-currency, secure on online use | Reloadable card |
| Axis Insta Easy | Credit | INR 500 | Cashback & dining discounts | FD based |
| Kotak 811 DreamDifferent | Credit | 0 | Online rewards + no joining fee | FD based |
Advice for Students on Responsible Credit Card Use
- Below are the list of points to keep in mind to smartly use credit cards.
- Always pay your bills in full before the due date to avoid unnecessary charges
- Keep Credit Utilization under 30% to limit the credit score.
- Use the bank’s mobile app to track the expenses to set limits whenever necessary.
- Target the various offers available from Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy to better utilize your rewards.
- Avoid sharing the card details with others and use the virtual cards when necessary.
Conclusion
- The best credit cards for students to shop online heavily depends on their purpose and their current financial position. If your need is to:
- Tackle income disparity – Try Kotak 811 or Axis Insta Easy can be the right fit.
- Do higher studies abroad – Try ICICI Student Travel and HDFC ForexPlus
- Earn extensive rewards – SBI Student Plus and Kotak 811provides great value
- It is a smart move to start small, hold responsibility in order to gradually build a stronger credit history.
Written by Kavitha Sugumar
