Which is the best credit card in India in 2026?

There is no single best card — it depends on where your money goes. A heavy online shopper, a frequent flyer and someone who mostly pays bills should each hold a different card. Run your spending through the card value calculator to see which one pays you the most.

What is the minimum salary for a credit card in India?

Entry-level cards start at about Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 15,000 a month. Premium cards ask for Rs. 50,000 or more. Cards issued against a fixed deposit have no income requirement at all.

How many credit cards should I have?

Two or three, covering different spending: one for online shopping, one for travel or fuel, and a no-fee card kept for its credit history. Five or more open cards can slow down a new approval.

Are there lifetime free credit cards in India?

Yes. Seven of the cards tracked here carry no joining or annual fee, including Scapia Federal, SBM Novio and RoarBank RuPay. See the lifetime free list for the full set.

Does applying for a credit card lower my credit score?

Each application makes a hard enquiry, which lowers your score slightly, and several applications in a short time look worse. Check eligibility first and apply only to the card most likely to approve you.

Credit Cards in India 2026 — Compare and Apply

Quick picks

Showing 1–3 of 3 cards

3.6CredSpy Score

Entry level · Rewards Cards

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank ePay American Express Credit Card

Lifetime free, with points that rise by transaction count and 5% back for paying early

Best forMaking many moderate transactions and paying the bill…
Lifetime freeno annual fee
Paid for using it, not spending

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 5% cashback
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Every transaction must be Rs. 500 or more to earn any Reward Point at all.

4.1CredSpy Score

Entry level · Lifestyle

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card

Lifetime free, with a rate that climbs to 6X and the lowest forex markup of any free card here

Best forPutting all of a household's spending on one free card
Complimentarylounge access
1.5%forex markup

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 2.4% rewards
Forex markup: 1.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: The multiplier is set by annual spending: up to Rs. 1,00,000 earns only 1X, and the 6X rate needs more than Rs. 5,00,000 a year.

3.8CredSpy Score

Entry level · Rewards Cards

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card

Lifetime free with a 1.8% foreign currency markup, and double points at weekends

Best forSpending abroad on a card that costs nothing to hold
1.8%forex markup
Lifetime freeno annual fee

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 2 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 1.8%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Airport lounge access was discontinued on this card with effect from 7 March 2025, and older reviews still list it as a benefit.

Quick picks

Showing 1–3 of 3 cards

3.6CredSpy Score

Entry level · Rewards Cards

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank ePay American Express Credit Card

Lifetime free, with points that rise by transaction count and 5% back for paying early

Best forMaking many moderate transactions and paying the bill…
Lifetime freeno annual fee
Paid for using it, not spending

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 5% cashback
Forex markup: 3.5%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Every transaction must be Rs. 500 or more to earn any Reward Point at all.

4.1CredSpy Score

Entry level · Lifestyle

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card

Lifetime free, with a rate that climbs to 6X and the lowest forex markup of any free card here

Best forPutting all of a household's spending on one free card
Complimentarylounge access
1.5%forex markup

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 2.4% rewards
Forex markup: 1.5%
Lounge access: 8/yr domestic · 2/yr intl
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: The multiplier is set by annual spending: up to Rs. 1,00,000 earns only 1X, and the 6X rate needs more than Rs. 5,00,000 a year.

3.8CredSpy Score

Entry level · Rewards Cards

IndusInd Bank

IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card

Lifetime free with a 1.8% foreign currency markup, and double points at weekends

Best forSpending abroad on a card that costs nothing to hold
1.8%forex markup
Lifetime freeno annual fee

Annual fee

Lifetime free

Joining feeNil

Apply now View details

Reward rate: Up to 2 reward points per ₹100
Forex markup: 1.8%
Lounge access: None
Interest: 46% p.a.
Credit score: 700+

Heads-up: Airport lounge access was discontinued on this card with effect from 7 March 2025, and older reviews still list it as a benefit.

Best Credit Cards in India 2026

IndusInd Bank ePay American Express Credit Card

IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card

IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card

Tools that go with this list

Best Credit Cards in India 2026

IndusInd Bank ePay American Express Credit Card

IndusInd Bank Tiger Credit Card

IndusInd Bank Legend Credit Card

Tools that go with this list

Credit cards: guide and FAQs

1. What is in this credit card list

2. How to pick a credit card in India

3. Frequently Asked Questions