SBI Card
SBI Card PULSE is a unique lifestyle-focused credit card that targets health-conscious Indian consumers and families who spend significantly on pharmacy, healthcare, and wellness. The card's defining feature is its 2% cashback on pharmacy and healthcare spends — an unusual and valuable category boost that makes it stand out among Indian credit cards. With rising healthcare costs in India and increasing health awareness post-COVID, pharmacy and healthcare spending has become a significant category for Indian families. The SBI Card PULSE card provides meaningful 2% cashback on spends at Apollo Pharmacy, Medplus, Fortis hospitals, and other registered healthcare merchants, making it one of the most rewarding cards for health-conscious individuals. Dining and food delivery cashback of 1.5% on Swiggy, Zomato, and restaurant spends addresses another major spending category for urban Indian consumers. For working professionals and families who regularly order food or dine out, this translates to significant annual savings. The card's 6 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year are provided through the Visa Lounge Access program and are refreshed quarterly (1.5 per quarter), making them accessible throughout the year. The 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations adds further everyday value. At an annual fee of ₹1,499 — reversed on spending ₹3 lakhs per year — the card is accessible to individuals with a minimum annual income of ₹4 lakhs. For families with significant pharmacy, dining, and grocery spends, the card can generate annual cashback well in excess of the annual fee. Source: SBI Card official website, updated May 2026.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹999 |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,499 |
| Reward Rate | [object Object]% |
| Cashback Rate | 0% |
| Lounge Access | Yes |
The SBI Card PULSE from SBI Card is a an annual fee of ₹1,499 credit card aimed at Indian consumers who want a clear rewards-plus-lifestyle proposition without paying for an invite-only metal card.
Who should consider the SBI Card PULSE
Pick the SBI Card PULSE if you are a salaried professional earning ₹8 LPA or more, or a self-employed applicant with a stable ITR history of two years or longer, and you typically spend ₹40,000–₹80,000 a month on retail purchases. The card's reward structure works best when the majority of your monthly swipe volume is concentrated in accelerated categories such as dining, groceries, fuel, or travel booked through the issuer's portal. Frequent flyers who already pay for at least four domestic lounge visits a year will get the most out of the included lounge access, while shoppers who use UPI for most transactions should be aware that most banks still cap reward points on UPI spends at a lower rate.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are an early-career professional with under ₹5 LPA in declared income, prefer a lifetime-free starter card (such as an entry-level RuPay variant) and revisit the SBI Card PULSE after one full financial year of stable income. Travellers who redeem most of their points for international flights will likely find a dedicated travel card with milestone-based foreign-currency benefits more rewarding. Finally, if you regularly carry a balance from month to month, the SBI Card PULSE (and credit cards in general) are an expensive borrowing tool at industry-standard 36–42% annualised interest — a small personal loan is almost always cheaper for sustained debt.
How we picked it for our shortlist
Our editorial team only considers cards whose issuers are RBI-licensed and publish their schedule of charges in the public domain. We score the SBI Card PULSE on five axes — annual fee versus benefits, reward rate, lounge and travel benefits, customer service responsiveness, and digital experience (mobile app, controls, instant card freeze). When the issuer changes pricing, we re-test the card and update this page within seven working days. The full methodology lives in our editorial policy.
Bottom line
The SBI Card PULSE is a sensible mid-tier rewards card for someone who pays their statement in full every month and uses the welcome benefit, lounge access, and accelerated rewards with intention. If your spending profile does not match the card's reward map, a more focused card will always deliver better net value.
| Feature | SBI Card PULSESBI Card | American Express Membership RewardsAmerican Express | Axis Bank AtlasAxis Bank | HDFC Bank Diners Club BlackHDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | SBI Card | American Express | Axis Bank | HDFC Bank |
| Joining Fee | ₹999 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,499 | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Interest Rate | — | — | — | — |
| Reward Rate | [object Object]% | [object Object]% | [object Object]% | [object Object]% |
| Lounge Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rating | — | — | — | — |
Have these ready before you start the online application. Most issuers verify digitally through CKYC and video-KYC, so physical copies are rarely needed.
Review the eligibility criteria above and ensure you meet the income and credit score requirements.
Click "Apply Now" and fill in your personal, income, and KYC details online.
The bank reviews your application and approves within 2–5 working days. Card arrives in 3–7 days.
If you spend ₹50,000/month on this card, EMI for ₹60,000 over 12 months ≈ ₹6,027.73/month at 36% p.a.
With over 100 credit cards on offer from HDFC, ICICI, SBI, and Axis Bank, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what actually matters — rewards rate, fee structure, fuel benefits, and lounge access — so you can find a card that saves you money, not costs it.
Two people with the same credit card can earn radically different rewards depending on where and how they swipe. This guide covers the strategies that top credit card users apply — from timing purchases to stacking bank offers with card rewards to reach 5-10% effective returns.
A credit card balance transfer lets you move high-cost credit card debt to another card with a lower interest rate — sometimes as low as 0% for the first 6-18 months. Done right, it can save you lakhs in interest. Done wrong, it traps you deeper in debt. Here is the complete guide.
Annual fees on premium credit cards can range from ₹500 to ₹10,000. Most cardholders don't realize these fees are almost always waivable. This guide explains exactly how fee waivers work, what spending thresholds to target, and how to negotiate a fee reversal after being charged.
Your feedback helps us improve this credit card page.