March 14, 2025 · 13 mins read
Santosh Kumar
In today's time, financial independence means everything to every young citizen of India. Financial independence is not just about having crores in the bank. It has a lot to do with understanding how money works, developing healthy financial habits or habits and, most importantly, building a strong credit score. As young as 18-year-olds are on their journey to manage their finances and build a great financial year for themselves, which is why banks are now moving along with time in order to help youngsters do what's best for them, along with a co-signer. A co-signer will act as a guarantor for the young applicant and his or her behaviour regarding overspending or any other sort of unnecessary spending. This way, the young applicant will be in check and will make any repayments that are required to be made on time. If, in any case, this isn't the case, the Reserve Bank of India has a few rules and regulations regarding cases as such.
With an economy like ours and a growing population like no other, such opportunities build a young mind to be more sensible with saving, trading banking payments and recording every financial move in order to build a sustainable, financially independent life in today's time. For any individual dreaming of financial independence at the age of 18, must not hesitate as that is possible in today’s India. Credit cards help an individual on their journey to financial independence. So what may be the best age to attain a credit card ? This article goes in detail to that.
Applying and grabbing hold of a credit card is not much of a hassle in todays India. Although, the age limit is something the applicant must once have a look at, along with the method, documentation required and other factors that may hamper the application process. It’s best to have done research on such application processes and it is always recommended to connect with the respective bank to get more information on credit cards in general.
Generally, below the age of 21, any individual is required to have a co-signer who is specifically over the age group of 21. If there doesn’t exist any co-signer, the individual applying for a credit card is required to prove their financial income is enough to pay back the credit on time.
But over the years, a more than a few banks have now kept an age limit of 18 years and above. Individuals who are seeking financial independence from the age of 18 can easily attain a credit card which will help them in their journey of financial independence. The credit history plays an important role here in order to attain a credit card, in India.
Read More:: Rupay Credit Card UPI Charges
To attain a credit card at such a young age is typically not accepted by banks and is not supported at any cost. To offer young minds such an opportunity, every adult knows how risky that could get. But there are a few methods that could help a few young adults, aged 18 onwards, manage their finances in India. For anyone to attain a credit card, they must hold a good credit score and must have no faulty activities in their history. In order for young adults aged 18 years to build their credit at an early age, they can follow the following methods:
1: Open a secured credit card or a Student credit card.
2: Be an authorized user of the respective parent's credit card.
3: Pay Up student loans in time.
4: Consider holding a Credit-Builder Loan.
5: Add monthly bills to the Experian Credit Report.
Read More:: How does UPI Mandate Work
A few banks are known to move with time and reduce the credit card age limit as youngsters are smarter than ever and are more exposed to entrepreneurship as compared to the previous times.
For a 16 year old to dream of attaining financial independence is the new norm and is highly exciting as many factors play a role for youngsters of a country to be thinking like adults.
A few banks that allow 18+ Credit card age limit are as follows:
1: Axis Bank
2: SBI Card
3: ICICI Bank
4: Kotak Mahindra
5: Paisabazaar
6: IDFC First Bank
Other than the age factor, various other factors are known to affect the process of attaining a credit card in India. Factors such as Income, Employment Status, and Credit Score are also thought of and very importantly considered in order to check the eligibility of the individual applying. A stable Source Of Income along with a good Credit History plays a very important role in affecting the process of attaining a credit card in India. These factors are highly crucial in order to get an approval for a credit card.
A few credit cards may hold a specific credit card eligibility criteria, therefore, it is important to check with the issuing back regarding the rules and regulations and process details.
Read More:: How to Check CIBIL Score on Phone Pe
This question arises quite often and its explanation as well is well received by parents especially.
1: Not every young individual is sorted and organized in the country hence a lot of background check is done before allowing a youngsters to attain a credit card, in India.
2: While a few banks indeed offer credit cards for Age groups as young as 18, in the previous days, it used to be 21 and even today, a few banks offer credit cards to individuals who are 21 and above specifically due to No credit history evidence and regular source of income.
3: What concludes that an individual who is young can attain a credit card are factors such as Income, credit score and debt. An 18 and below age group has no evidence of a good credit score nor a stable Source of income which makes it difficult for them to attain a credit card.
4: Banks do consider providing a credit card for students as education loans or as prepaid cards.
5: Banks of India have not failed to think about the youngsters of the country helping them achieve their financial independence in the country.
Read More:: What is YBL in UPI?
Students who are 18 and above are permitted to apply for a Student Credit Card in India as of the year 2025. The Student Credit Card is known to be the best Credit Card for youngsters as of 2025. This Student Credit Card is an initiative to help students manage their finances. All standard credit card features are attained by a Student Credit Card such as Rewards and Discounts.
A few Student Credit Cards offered by Indian banks are mentioned as follows:
1: HDFC Bank Forex Plus Card
2: Bihar Student Credit Card
3: West Bengal Student Credit Card
4: ICICI Bank Student Forex Prepaid Card
5: IDFC WOW Credit Card
Read More:: How to add money in Phone Pe wallet?
A few benefits of attaining a Student Credit Cards In India are as follows:
Credit Limits - Student Credit Cards are known to have a lower Credit limit as compared to a regular credit card. A credit limit of RS. 15,000 is offered in a Student Credit Card for youngsters.
Card Validity - Student Credit Cards are witnessed to be valid for five whole years from the date of Issue. Whereas a regular credit card has a validity period of three years.
Duplicate Card FOC (Free Of Cost) - If in any case the Student Credit Card is misplaced or stolen, a duplicate credit card will be issues which will cost no amount of money to the student.
Documentation - Student Credit Cards do not require as much documentation as a regular credit card.
Waiver of Fees - To attain a Student Credit Card in India, it costs low annual fee and Zero Joining Fee which makes it easier for students to maintain their card.
Discounts & Rewards - Student Credit Cards contain many rewards and loyalty programs that offer cashback or cash points.
Yet another Best Credit Card for youngsters is the FIRST WOW Student Credit Card, which provides 100% ATM Cash withdrawals. The FIRST WOW Credit card can be used while travelling as well and can be attained by youngsters of the age group 18 and above. The FIRST WOW Credit card also considers offering.
1: No Currency Exchange Hassles
2: No Forex Conversion Fee
3: Four Times More Reward Points on every travel expenditure and general expenditure.
4: Zero Cost Joining Fees
5: No credit History or Income Proof Required.
6: Earn on Fixed Deposits as much as 7.25%
Read More:: How Much Money Can We Transfer Through PhonePe?
In order to be eligible to attain a FIRST WOW Credit card, an individual is required to consider the following:
1: Individuals applying must be of at least 18 years and above.
2: Individuals applying must be Indian Citizens attaining a permanent address in India.
3: Individuals applying must have a minimum FD of RS. 20,000.
While credit cards may help benefit any individual manage their finances, credit cards also are known to be highly sensitive about individuals or accounts not making on-time payments and those who do not contain a good credit score. Such sensitive factors effect a credit account as bank notices such behaviors and considers it irresponsible on behalf of the credit card account holder.
A few factors to remind citizens why it is crucial to have an age limit to acquire credit cards are as follows:
Financial responsibility - Banks are only keeping an age limit in order to ensure whether an individual is capable of managing their finances and repaying debts on time. Hence, the financial responsibility for a younger individual can be a bit hazy.
Income & Stablity - As compared to an adult, youngsters around the age of 16 or 17 do not usually have a stable Source of income. Most banks require applicants who have a regular source of income. This is typically linked to employment and age.
Legal Capacity - From the age of 18 year onwards, individuals can enter into legal contracts, in India. However, banks still prefer applicants to be older.
There lies a “Maximum Age” limit, which is typically 60 to 60 years, which completely depends on Bank policies.
Read More:: Difference Between RuPay Credit Card and Visa Credit Card
The minimum age limit may differ across different banks in India. A few examples are as follows-
HDFC Bank - To open a savings account independently, the applicant is required to be 18 years at the least, as per HDFC Bank. Parents can also open bank accounts for Minors.
ICICI Bank - A “Young Star Savings Account” is offered by ICICI Bank for children aged 1 day to 18 years with guardian supervision.
Axis Bank - A savings Account can be opened for a New Born which can be operated independently once the child is 18 years.
State Bank of India (SBI) - SBI banks have an age limit of 22 years and above in order to open a Credit Card account against FD.
Other than acquiring a credit card for youngsters, a few other best alternatives are as follows:
1: Debit card
2: Overdraft
3: Personal loan
4: Secured loan
5: Short term loan
6: Guarantor Loan
7: Basic Current account
8: Peer to Peer Lending
Read More:: Amazon Pay UPI Pin Change
It has been established through the article that the minimum age limit to acquire a credit card in India is 18 years and above and the maximum age limit is 60 to 75 years, which totally depends on the Bank. Other factors that affect the process of acquiring a credit card in India include being a resident of the country with a valid residential address and an existing Fixed Deposit account or with the willingness to open a Fixed Deposit account.
The Fixed Deposit amount that is required to attain a credit card in India is RS 75,000, but usually ranges between RS. 75,000 to RS. 1,00,000 or higher. The credit limit on Fixed Deposit credit cards is typically between 75% to 90% of the Fixed Deposit amount. There FD’s tenure also is considered important and Fixed Deposit must have a tenure of more than 180 days.
A fixed deposit account has two types and can be opened as a, one, Cumulative Fixed Deposit or Traditional Fixed Deposit.
In today’s India, young adults aged 18 years and above are thriving to gain a good financial life, and banks are doing little to help execute that dream for such young adults. With many advantages to receive cashbacks or discounts, credit cards are particularly available for young adults which in turn helps them manage their finances with a fixed system. This is the future, and it only gets better from here.
Ans - As per most banks, no. A 16 year old applicant can hardly get a Credit Card in India.
Ans - As per the Banks of India, the legal age to acquire a Credit card in India is 18 years and above. For a few banks, the age limit is 21 years and above.
Ans - Some of the examples of a best Credit Card for beginners in India are HSBC Visa Platinum Card, Axis Ace Credit Cards, Axis Bank Neo Credit Card, and SBI Card Elite.
Ans - Yes. A guarantor is highly recommended, especially to sign on behalf of any irresponsible activity by the young applicant. This applies to age groups 18 or younger, by a few banks.
What is the age limit for acquiring a Fixed Deposit Credit Card? Ans- The appropriate age limit, as per Banks of India, to acquire a Fixed Deposit credit card in India is 18 to 75.
Ans - The documents that are required to be presented to the Bank in order for the applicant to get their application approved for a credit card in India are, Valid ID and Address Proof, Passport Size Photographs, PAN Card or Form 60, and Proof Of Income such as the latest pay slip and Form 16.
Ans - Options other than credit cards, for teenagers aged 18 years, in India are, Student Credit Cards and Secured Credit Cards.
Download the app now
Download the app from PlayStore
