October 14, 2025 · 9 mins read
Santosh Kumar
In modern day, credit cards are becoming a cashless and convenient financial tool. Credit cards are not only a cashless option but also offer cashback, rewards, and points based on the amount spent. Many 18-year-old young adults want to get credit cards to get financial independence as they become adults. But the question is, is it even feasible for an 18-year-old can even get a credit card in India? It is certainly possible for an 18-year-old to get a credit card in India, provided some conditions are met.
This article will discuss how an 18-year-old can get a credit card in India.
According to the Indian Majority Act of 1875, the legal age to sign a valid legal contract is 18. As credit cards are legal contracts between the bank and the cardholder, a person over 18 can legally have a credit card in India. But sometimes, some banks might have additional preconditions to have a credit card. Such as, age above 21 years with a steady income source and income proof. Hence, owning a credit card in India at 18 can be dependent on the financial institution. But this might be easier if the person was added to their parents’ credit card, which will be discussed in the next section.
Most credit card services, including banks, allow the primary cardholder to add supplementary or add-on cards if the person added is a family member and is at or around the age of 18. If a parent already has a credit card, they can easily add a supplementary card for their kid. Although the limitation to this is that the credit limit is shared with the primary cardholder, and the same person is responsible for all the monthly payments. This is the easiest way to have a credit card for an 18-year-old to have a credit card in India.
Certain banks in certain Indian states offer credit cards to students. Some examples are as follows:
In West Bengal, there’s a student credit card scheme that provides low-interest credit loans to students for education expenses.
Usually, to qualify for student credit cards, a person needs to be at a valid student status, a very minimal income, and some amount of a fixed deposit account as a security guarantee.
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Another way an 18-year-old can get a credit card in India, if it is issued against a fixed deposit. All major banks in India, such as SBI, ICICI, and Axis Bank, offer credit cards in India when it is tied up with a fixed deposit (FD) in the same bank. The FD works like a security guarantee. This does not need income proof.
If an 18-year-old has a source of regular income in the form of a job or internship, they can apply for an entry level credit card. If the person has a monthly income of around 15 to 20 thousand , can get approval for credit cards with pay slips, bank statements. Age does not matter.
A. Early credit history build-up: As the score is important these days to meet financial requirements like as getting a high credit limit home loan or mortgage. If this process starts early, then the credit history can build up over time.
B. Economic independence: A credit card at 18 can help a young adult to buy things independently, online and offline. An 18-year-old can learn how to manage money, especially with borrowing money. And as credit card also gives reward points, cashbacks, loyalty points, food delivery, fuel, and shopping discounts, this can also help an 18-year-old young adult to manage these perks efficiently and understand budgeting.
C. Emergency fund: A credit card can also be an emergency in an urgent situation, if cash is needed immediately.
A. Temptation for overspending: A credit card is an easy spending option. If the spending is not controlled, this can lead to a large amount of debt. Hence, giving this to an 18-year-old could be risky if they are not guided properly and might lead to overspending on unnecessary expenses.
B. Risk related to charges for high interest: If bills are not paid on time for credit card, the accumulated interest can lead to payment of a lot of money because of high interest charges on a credit card. Hence, overspending can be a big risk if the 18-year-old has not learned budgeting properly. Also, a credit card has a minimum payment due. If this concept is not clear to an 18-year-old, then that can also become a bid debt trap. This is because only paying the minimum can keep increasing the debt amount without repaying the principal.
C. Effect on Credit score: If the 18-year-old does not understand loan defaults, late payments, then that can affect the credit score, and the primary cardholder can be significantly affected.
D. Small Income: An 18-year-old will have a small income due to the early start of their career. Hence, this can also affect the repayments or overspending for an 18-year-old if they are not carefully guided.
Also Read: Rent Payment Through Credit Card Without Charges
The following are some tips for an 18-year-old who is considering a credit card:
1: Start with a supplementary or an add-on card: This can help you build a credit score, you will not have to take the entire financial burden, and you can also learn how to manage your finances.
2: Keep the usage low: The best thing is to use the credit limit up to 20-30 % of your limit, which will help you maintain a very healthy credit score.
3: Keep track: Always keep track of your spending limit and the actual spending. Maintain an Excel, write it down, or use mobile phone reminders. But it’s highly important to keep track of the usage and not go to the highest level.
4: Pay the full amount: Every month, make sure to pay the entire balance before the due date. Crossing the due date and not paying the full amount will increase your credit debt steeply, and before you know it, the amount will be high, and you will lose your credit score.
5: Say no to cash withdrawals: Credit card cash withdrawals can be charged with high fees and interest. So, unless it’s an emergency, don’t use this feature of a credit card.
6: Use the card for regular expenses: Use the credit card more for regular and small purchases, recharging mobiles, or paying for subscriptions. This will keep the usage restricted and low, but will also keep your credit score active and increasing.
7: Avoid the usage of more than one card: Keeping multiple cards might be confusing at the beginner’s level, hence avoid using more than one card.
Learn well: Understand the terms of credit cards very clearly, understanding terms such as “APR (annual percentage rate)”, “credit limit”, “minimum amount due”, “billing cycle” these technical terms that you should know before using a credit card.
Also Read: What is Virtual Credit Cards & Physical Cards
There are many credit cards, such as the ICICI bank contactless card and, Axis bank easy credit card. But a more student friendly card for an 18-year-old is the SBI Student Advantage Card. Additionally HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra are also popular.
The following steps should be followed to get a credit card in India:
1: First, shop all the credit cards and choose the one you want.
2: In the second step, have all your documents ready. You will need a poof of address and Identity. This can be an Aadhar card, PAN card, voter ID card, or passport.
3: In the third step, go to the local branch of the bank or online to apply for the card, along with the proof of your documents. If this is an add-on card, you might need documents from the primary card holder.
Yes. Supplementary or add-on card can be issued against a fixed deposit with a primary card holder
Yes, against a fixed deposit.
Through Supplementary or add-on card with a parent or guardian’s account.
ID and address proof (such as Aadhar card, passport etc) for the cardholder and the parent.
No first-time users don’t need a credit score, but they can build one.
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