IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card

Salaried applicants need a PAN card, an Aadhaar card or other accepted address proof such as passport, driving licence, or voter ID, the most recent 3 months' salary slips, and the last 3 months' bank statements showing salary credit. Self-employed applicants need a PAN card, address proof, the last 2 years' income tax returns, the most recent 6 months' business bank statements, and proof of business existence such as a GST registration certificate.

Existing IDFC First Bank customers may have reduced documentation thanks to pre-filled income data. Carry self-attested copies and originals for verification.

The IDFC First Classic Credit Card is ideal for first-time credit card users who want a lifetime free card with meaningful rewards. The combination of zero joining fee, zero annual fee, an accessible ₹3 LPA income threshold, and a tiered reward structure that pays back hardest on incremental spending above ₹20,000 monthly makes it one of the most user-friendly first cards in the Indian market.

This card also works well for someone who wants UPI on credit, since the one-time ₹199 plus GST UPI activation fee unlocks UPI linkage with Paytm, GPay, PhonePe, and BHIM. The first 4 UPI transactions get 100 percent cashback up to ₹200 each, refunding the activation cost almost entirely. After activation, you can earn credit card rewards on UPI-style merchant payments at small merchants who otherwise only accept UPI, which is a clean expansion of credit card acceptance.

This card is less ideal for someone who primarily shops on Amazon (Amazon Pay ICICI is better) or Flipkart (Axis Flipkart is better), for high-net-worth users who want lounge access and premium concierge benefits (HDFC Diners Club or Axis Magnus would be more suitable), and for someone who plans to redeem rewards in very small batches (the ₹99 plus GST redemption fee erodes value on small redemptions).

The credit limit on the IDFC First Classic Credit Card depends on your declared and verified income, your CRIF score, and your overall credit profile. For salaried applicants in the ₹3 LPA to ₹6 LPA range, the starting credit limit is typically ₹30,000 to ₹80,000. For applicants in the ₹6 LPA to ₹10 LPA range, expect ₹80,000 to ₹2 lakh. Higher income brackets can see limits of ₹2 lakh and above.

The cash withdrawal limit is generally 20 to 40 percent of the total credit limit. Cash advances trigger an upfront cash advance fee plus immediate finance charges at the APR, making them an expensive transaction type to be avoided unless necessary.

You can apply for the IDFC First Classic Credit Card through three channels. The first is the IDFC First Bank official website, where you complete the online application form, share your KYC documents, and submit your income proof. The second is through credit card comparison platforms such as BankKaro, where you can pre-check eligibility against multiple cards and apply with a single set of documents. The third is through an IDFC First Bank branch or relationship manager.

Online applications typically receive an in-principle decision within 24 to 48 hours. Physical card delivery follows in 5 to 7 working days after KYC verification. Pre-approved applicants may receive instant approval and virtual card issuance.