Credit card eligibility criteria
Card issuers use a compact set of criteria to decide who gets which product. Meet the entry bar and you're approved for entry-level cards; meet higher bars and you're invited into premium tiers.
Last updated: 15 June 2025
Standard eligibility
| Card tier | Minimum income | Credit score |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (fee ≤ ₹500) | ₹3 lakh p.a. | 700+ |
| Mid-tier (fee ₹1,000 – ₹3,000) | ₹6 lakh p.a. | 720+ |
| Premium (fee ₹3,000 – ₹10,000) | ₹12 lakh p.a. | 750+ |
| Super-premium (fee ₹10,000+) | ₹24 lakh p.a. / invitation | 780+ or invitation |
Other factors banks look at
- Age between 21 and 60 for regular products
- Existing banking relationship - salary account, deposits, existing card
- Number of existing unsecured loans and cards
- Recent credit enquiries (avoid applying to many at once)
- Employment stability - most banks want 6+ months at current job
Secured credit cards
If you don't meet income or score criteria, you can get a credit card against a fixed deposit (typically ₹10,000 minimum). The limit is 80-90% of the FD, and repayment behaviour on this card builds credit history.