Best Credit Cards for Beginners (First Card) in India (2026)

Getting your first credit card? These are easy to get, low or no fee, and simple to use — a safe way to start building your credit history.

Our top pick for this is Amazon Pay ICICI — India's most popular lifetime-free card. Zero fees forever and strong cashback — especially for Amazon and Prime users — make it the easiest first card and an everyday default for online spenders.

#NameScoreJoining FeeAnnual FeeFee WaiverTop Reward
1Amazon Pay ICICITop pick9.3/10₹0₹0 (LTF)Lifetime free5% on Amazon (Prime)
2Axis ACE9.0/10₹499₹499₹2L/yr spend5% bill pay; 2% all
4SBI SimplyCLICK8.5/10₹499₹499₹1L/yr spend10x on online partners
6IDFC FIRST Millennia8.2/10₹0₹0 (LTF)Lifetime freeUp to 10x points; low APR

Best overall

1

Amazon Pay ICICI

India's most popular lifetime-free card. Zero fees forever and strong cashback — especially for Amazon and Prime users — make it the easiest first card and an everyday default for online spenders.

9.3
/ 10
Joining Fee
₹0
Annual Fee
₹0 (LTF)
Fee Waiver
Lifetime free
Top Reward
5% on Amazon (Prime)
  • Truly lifetime-free
  • 5% back for Amazon Prime users
  • Easy approval, great first card
  • Best value only inside Amazon
  • No lounge access
  • Cashback as Amazon Pay balance
View details Official site
2

Axis ACE

A flat-rate cashback workhorse. Market-leading cashback on bill payments and food delivery plus a clean 2% on everything else make it one of the best value cards in India.

9.0
/ 10
Joining Fee
₹499
Annual Fee
₹499
Fee Waiver
₹2L/yr spend
Top Reward
5% bill pay; 2% all
  • 5% on Google Pay bill payments
  • 2% flat cashback everywhere
  • Low fee, easy to waive
  • Caps on bonus categories
  • Fee unless ₹2L/yr spend
  • No premium perks
View details Official site
4

SBI SimplyCLICK

A low-fee online-shopping card built for beginners, with 10x reward points on online partners and a welcome Amazon voucher that effectively offsets the first-year fee.

8.5
/ 10
Joining Fee
₹499
Annual Fee
₹499
Fee Waiver
₹1L/yr spend
Top Reward
10x on online partners
  • 10x points on online partners
  • Welcome Amazon gift voucher
  • Easy approval
  • Points, not direct cashback
  • Lower rate offline
  • Fee unless ₹1L spend
View details Official site
6

IDFC FIRST Millennia

A lifetime-free card with surprisingly rich rewards — up to 10x points on higher spends, never-expiring points and one of the lowest interest rates among Indian cards.

8.2
/ 10
Joining Fee
₹0
Annual Fee
₹0 (LTF)
Fee Waiver
Lifetime free
Top Reward
Up to 10x points; low APR
  • Lifetime free with strong rewards
  • Low interest rate (APR)
  • Points never expire
  • 10x only above spend thresholds
  • Reward redemption can be fiddly
  • Fewer brand offers than HDFC
View details Official site

Other card picks by need

Best Cashback Credit CardsBest Credit Cards for Online ShoppingBest Travel Credit CardsBest Fuel Credit CardsBest Lifetime-Free Credit Cards (No Annual Fee)Best Premium Rewards Credit Cards All 10 cards →

Fees and rewards indicative as of June 2026 and change often — confirm on the bank's site before applying. A credit card is borrowing; pay in full to avoid interest. Information only, not financial advice.