Skip to content
Compare Cards

Guide

How to Choose a Secured Credit Card in 2026

Darshil Chauhan's profile photo Darshil Chauhan
4 min read
Reviewed by Jay Dodiya Last reviewed 5 September 2026 Data verified 5 September 2026

Heads-up: HDFC Secure Plus Credit Card, SBI Secure Credit Card are no longer openly issued, so some figures below may be stale. The application steps still show how issuer applications generally work.

A secured credit card requires a fixed deposit as collateral. The credit limit is typically 75–90% of the FD amount, and the FD earns interest at the regular FD rate. Secured cards are the best option for users with no credit history, low CIBIL scores, or who have been rejected for unsecured cards. The right secured card depends on the FD requirement, the credit limit ratio, and the rewards. This guide walks you through the 5-step process of choosing the right secured card.

Why this matters

Secured cards are the only credit cards available to users with no credit history or low CIBIL scores (below 700). They allow you to build a credit history from scratch, which is essential for getting approved for unsecured cards and loan products in the future. After 12 months of responsible usage, most banks allow you to convert the secured card to an unsecured card.

Top 10 secured credit cards in India (2026)

# Card Best for FD multiplier Annual fee Reward cap Min FD Min CIBIL Why it ranks
1 HDFC Secured Card (SecurePlus) Highest credit limit ratio 90% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹20K) 5X 1,000 pts/mo ₹20,000 None (credit-building purpose) 90% credit limit ratio is the highest in the market (HDFC T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
2 ICICI Secured Card ICICI account holders 85% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹1.5L) None published ₹10,000 None Lowest minimum FD in the ranking (ICICI T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
3 SBI Secured Card SBI account holders 80% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹1.5L) None published ₹25,000 None SBI ecosystem (SBI Card T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
4 Axis Secured Card Axis customers 80% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹1.5L) Combined 5%+4% ₹500/mo ₹20,000 None 5% on Google Pay utility + 4% on Swiggy (Axis T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
5 Kotak 811 Dream Secured Kotak account holders 80% of FD ₹0 (LTF) Per category ₹10,000 None LTF; lowest minimum FD + LTF (Kotak T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
6 HDFC MoneyBack+ Secured HDFC customers 85% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹50K) 1,000 pts/mo on 5X ₹25,000 None 5X on partner merchants + good credit limit (HDFC T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
7 ICICI Amazon Pay Secured Amazon shoppers 80% of FD ₹0 (LTF) 3% non-Prime ₹600/mo ₹20,000 None 5% on Amazon + LTF (ICICI T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
8 Flipkart Axis Secured Flipkart shoppers 80% of FD ₹0 (LTF) 5% ₹500/mo; 4% ₹500/mo ₹20,000 None 5% on Flipkart + 4% preferred (Axis T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
9 SBI SimplySAVE Secured SBI customers with offline spend 80% of FD ₹499 (waived on ₹1L) 10,000 pts/mo ₹25,000 None 10X on 4 categories (SBI Card T&C, verified 5 September 2026).
10 HDFC Freedom Secured HDFC customers who want EMI 80% of FD ₹500 (waived on ₹60K) None published ₹25,000 None 5X on EMI (HDFC T&C, verified 5 September 2026).

Why #1 wins. HDFC SecurePlus’s 90% credit limit ratio is the highest in the Indian market — you get ₹90,000 of usable credit on a ₹1,00,000 FD. Card #2 (ICICI Secured) has the lowest minimum FD. Card #3 (SBI Secured) wins for SBI account holders.

Worked example — HDFC SecurePlus on a ₹1,00,000 FD

A user with no credit history opens a ₹1,00,000 FD and gets a ₹90,000 credit limit:

  • Use the card for ₹10,000/month in retail spends (well below the 30% credit utilisation threshold)
  • Pay the full statement balance every month
  • After 12 months, apply for an upgrade to HDFC Millennia (LTF)
  • Net credit-building value: ₹90,000 usable credit, no annual fee drag, plus a 1-year history strong enough to unlock mid-premium cards

How to Choose a Secured Credit Card in 2026

How to apply Total time: 20 min · Estimated cost: Free (FD earns interest) · You’ll need: FD receipt, PAN, Aadhaar, address proof

Find the best secured credit card in India — FD-backed, easy approval, and credit-building. Compare HDFC, ICICI, SBI, and Axis secured cards.

  1. Determine if you need a secured card — You need a secured card if you have no credit history, a CIBIL score below 700, or have been rejected for unsecured cards. Secured cards are also useful for users who want to rebuild their credit after a default or settlement.
  2. Compare the FD requirement and credit limit — Most secured cards require an FD of ₹10,000–5 lakh, with a credit limit of 75–90% of the FD. HDFC SecurePlus offers 90% credit limit. ICICI Secured offers 85% credit limit. SBI Secure offers 80% credit limit. Pick a card with the highest credit limit ratio to maximise your usable credit.
  3. Check the rewards and benefits — Secured cards offer basic rewards — 1–2 reward points per ₹100, 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and minimal benefits. Don’t expect 5X or 10X rewards — those are reserved for premium unsecured cards. The primary benefit of a secured card is the credit-building, not the rewards.
  4. Verify the upgrade path to an unsecured card — Most banks allow you to convert a secured card to an unsecured card after 12 months of responsible usage. HDFC SecurePlus users can upgrade to HDFC Millennia. ICICI Secured users can upgrade to ICICI Coral. SBI Secure users can upgrade to SBI SimplyCLICK. Pick a card with an upgrade path that matches your long-term goals.
  5. Apply for the card with the right documents — Secured card applications require an FD receipt, PAN, Aadhaar, address proof, and the standard application form. The FD is held as collateral and is returned when the card is closed or upgraded to an unsecured card.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is using the secured card for cash advances or EMI, which attract high interest and no rewards. The second is missing the payment due date, which results in late fees, a CIBIL score drop, and potentially the FD being encashed. The third is not using the card at all, which means the credit history is not built.

Pro tips

  • Use the secured card for small retail spends every month
  • Pay the full statement balance every month to build a strong credit history
  • Keep credit utilisation under 30%
  • Apply for an unsecured card upgrade after 12 months of responsible usage

Quick verdict

If you want the highest credit limit ratio: HDFC SecurePlus (#1, 90% of FD). If you want the lowest minimum FD: ICICI Secured (#2, ₹10,000). If you are an SBI customer: SBI Secured (#3).

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best secured credit card in India?

HDFC SecurePlus is the best with 90% credit limit ratio. ICICI Secured is the best for ICICI account holders. SBI Secure is the best for SBI account holders.

What is the minimum FD for a secured card?

The minimum FD is typically ₹10,000–25,000, depending on the bank. HDFC SecurePlus has a minimum of ₹20,000. ICICI Secured has a minimum of ₹10,000. SBI Secure has a minimum of ₹25,000.

Can I upgrade a secured card to an unsecured card?

Yes. Most banks allow you to convert a secured card to an unsecured card after 12 months of responsible usage and a CIBIL score of 720+. The FD is returned upon upgrade.

Disclosure: FinWiz24 may earn a commission when you apply through links on this page. This does not influence our editorial independence — every card is scored against the same rubric.

Sources

← All guides