Best Credit Cards for Low CIBIL Score in India 2025: Easy Approval Options

If your CIBIL score is bruised (say under 650) and every “Congratulations!” email mysteriously becomes a rejection, this guide is for you. The fastest route to a mainstream credit card is rarely a shot in the dark—it’s a strategy. Below, I’ll show you the best credit card for low CIBIL scores, how to use them to rebuild credit score, and the exact steps to raise your approval odds today.

Who this guide is for (and what to expect)

• You have a low or thin credit profile and want a card to build (or rebuild) your score.
  
  

• You’re okay starting with alternatives like secured or FD-backed cards to get momentum.
  
  

• You want minimal guesswork: clear options, docs required, common limits/fees, and upgrade paths.

FD-backed secured credit cards are the most reliable way to get approved fast with a low CIBIL score in India. Use them well for 6–12 months, keep utilization low, and your upgrade options open up quickly.

The 3 best routes to approval with a low CIBIL score

1) FD-backed secured credit cards (Highest approval odds)

What they are: A bank issues you a credit card against a fixed deposit you open with them. Your credit limit is typically 75–90% of the FD. Because the bank’s risk is covered by the FD, approvals are far easier—even with a low score.

Why they’re best for low CIBIL:

• Approvals are usually quick, even with limited or poor history.
  
  

• Builds or rebuilds your credit when used responsibly (reported to bureaus).
  
  

• Clear upgrade path: After 6–12 months of on-time payments and responsible use, you can request conversion to an unsecured card and release the FD.
  
  

Typical features & expectations:

• Minimum FD: often ₹10,000–₹20,000 (varies by bank).
  
  

• Limit: ~80–90% of FD value.
  
  

• Fees: Many are low or even lifetime free; check the latest schedule.
  
  

• Rewards: Modest but improving; good enough while you rebuild.
  
  

• APR: Revolving interest is expensive—pay in full.
  
  

Popular examples (illustrative):

• HDFC Bank Credit Card Against FD
  
  

• ICICI Bank Instant Platinum (FD-backed)
  
  

• IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card (secured)
  
  

• OneCard Secured (via partner bank FD)

Tip: Don’t chase rewards at this stage. Prioritize bureau reporting, low fees, and a bank you want a long-term relationship with.

2) Entry-level unsecured cards with relaxed checks (Selective, case-by-case)

Some issuers periodically run pre-approved or soft-check offers for salaried customers with stable income, payroll accounts, or strong bank relationships—even if your score is average. Approval isn’t guaranteed, but if you:

• Have zero recent defaults,
  
  

• Maintain a steady salary credit with the same bank (6–12 months),
  
  

• Keep low existing EMI/TL obligations,

Pros: No FD required, rewards can be better than secured options.

Cons: Hard to predict, more rejections, often lower limits to start.

3) RuPay credit cards and co-branded “starter” products (Case-specific)

A few banks/fintechs roll out beginner-friendly products—sometimes with limit controls, low or zero joining fees, or lean rewards—to onboard first-time users. Approval still depends on internal policy and risk modeling. Treat these as opportunistic wins, not plan A.

Our top picks (by scenario)

Use this scenario-based list to pick your starting point. Always double-check the live terms on the issuer’s website before you apply.

LTF = Lifetime free. All figures are typical ranges; check the issuer’s current terms.

How to raise your approval odds (today)

1. Fix low-hanging errors in your credit report.
   Download your latest report from a bureau and dispute inaccuracies (wrong balances, closed loans showing active, mistaken late payments).
   
   

2. Clean recent behavior.
   
   

   • No new loan or card applications in the past 90 days.
     
     

   • Clear any 30/60 DPD issues first (even part payments help).
     
     

3. Show stable income and address proof.
   Keep 3–6 months of salary credits, updated KYC (Aadhaar/PAN/address), and bank statements ready.
   
   

4. Start with the bank that knows you.
   A primary relationship (salary or savings) often beats a marginally better reward program elsewhere at this stage.
   
   

5. Apply for only one product at a time.
   Multiple hard inquiries in a short span signal risk and can sink approvals.

How to use the card to rebuild credit (without paying a rupee in interest)

• Pay in full—every month. Revolving balances trigger 3–4% monthly interest. Avoid it.
  
  

• Keep utilization under 30% of your limit (ideally 10–20%). Pay mid-cycle if needed.
  
  

• Automate the bill with standing instructions to avoid accidental late fees.
  
  

• Use it for predictable spends (groceries, fuel, utilities).
  
  

• Stick to one card. More cards = more temptation and more moving parts.
  
  

Do this for 6–12 months and you’ll usually see a meaningful score lift, improved pre-approved offers, and better upgrade options.

Fees, limits, and rewards: what to expect at this stage

• Limits: Start small (₹10k–₹50k) and grow. Limit increases often unlock after timely payments for 6+ months.
  
  

• Fees: Secured cards can be low-fee or lifetime free. If there’s a fee, ensure you can waive it via spend milestones.
  
  

• Rewards: Modest. That’s okay. Your goal is score rehab, not free flights.
  
  

• Cash withdrawals: Avoid. They incur instant interest + fees and can hurt your profile.

Documents checklist (most issuers)

• KYC: PAN, Aadhaar (or other address proof).
  
  

• Income: Salary slips (last 2–3 months) or ITR for self-employed; some secured cards don’t need income proof.
  
  

• FD confirmation (for secured cards) and linked savings account details.

Red flags to avoid with low CIBIL

• BNPL stacking as a credit-building hack. Many BNPLs don’t help much with bureau score; missed payments can hurt.
  
  

• Multiple parallel applications across issuers. Keep it clean—one at a time.
  
  

• Paying only the minimum due. It’s a debt treadmill and risks late fees if you slip.
  
  

• Add-on cards to build your score. Add-on usage usually doesn’t create an independent credit history for the add-on holder.

What happens after 6–12 months?

1. Ask for a limit increase (based on clean usage).
   
   

2. Request unsecured conversion if you started with an FD-backed card.
   
   

3. Move to a better-fit product (fuel, cashback, travel) once pre-approved offers appear.
   
   

4. Redeem or reduce your FD if the secured card is converted and you no longer need collateral.

How we chose these “best” options

• Approval probability: Products and paths that commonly accept low or thin-file users.
  
  

• Credit-building effectiveness: Regular reporting to bureaus, clear upgrade paths.
  
  

• Ownership cost: Low or waiveable fees, transparent charges.
  
  

• User control: Limit controls, app visibility, easy repayment options.
  
  

• Long-term fit: Ability to migrate into stronger reward ecosystems later.
  
  

Frequently asked questions

1) Can I get a regular unsecured card with a low CIBIL score?
Sometimes—but it’s unpredictable. If you’re salaried with strong bank history, you may get targeted offers. Otherwise, start with secured FD-backed for a reliable yes, then upgrade.

2) How big should my FD be for a secured card?
Pick an amount that comfortably covers your monthly planned spends at ≤30% utilization. Example: If you plan ₹9,000 monthly spends, a ₹30,000 limit is ideal—meaning ₹35–40k FD (since limits are often ~80–90% of FD).

3) Will a secured card really improve my score?
Yes—if you pay on time, keep low utilization, and avoid cash withdrawals. Most secured cards report to bureaus like any normal card.

4) How fast will my score improve?
Many users see positive movement in 3–6 months, with stronger results by 9–12 months, assuming perfect payment discipline and no other delinquencies.

5) Should I close the card after my score improves?
Not necessarily. Older accounts help your credit age. If the fee is low/LTF, consider keeping it, or convert to an unsecured card within the same bank to preserve history.

The bottom line

When your CIBIL score is low, chasing unsecured approvals first is often a frustrating lottery. Flip the script: secure a card against an FD, use it flawlessly, and let the score climb while you spend as usual. In about 6–12 months, you’ll typically qualify for better limits and better rewards, without the stress.

If you want, tell me your monthly spend pattern, whether you can open an FD (and how much), and your current bank relationships. I’ll map a precise, step-by-step plan to go from low CIBIL to solid approvals as fast—and safely—as possible.