The verdict
An exceptional zero-fee credit card customized for finance and tax professionals. The 100% Lifetime Free status combined with 5X points on dining and office utilities and 4 annual domestic airport lounge visits makes it a must-have for every practicing Chartered Accountant.
With ₹0 annual fee, all benefits are pure profit. Spending ₹20,000/month on dining, online shopping, and office bills earns 12,000 points/year (~₹3,000 value). Adding 4 domestic airport lounge visits (~₹4,800) and ₹600 fuel surcharge savings delivers over ₹8,400 in net annual professional lifestyle value.
Non-ICAI professionals are ineligible to apply; applicant must hold an active ICAI Membership Number.
✓What works
- +100% Lifetime Free credit card with zero joining fees and zero annual maintenance charges.
- +5X reward points (5 points per ₹100 spent) on dining, online shopping, and utility bills.
- +1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per calendar quarter (4 visits per year).
- +Exclusive professional card face with ICAI co-branding.
- +Higher customized credit limits for practicing Chartered Accountants.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000.
✕What doesn't
- −Exclusively reserved for ICAI members (non-CAs cannot apply).
- −Monthly cap of 1,000 bonus reward points on 5X accelerated categories.
What it earns
1 BOBCARD Reward Point = ₹0.25 for statement credit or brand vouchers.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining, Online Shopping & Utility Bills (5X) | 5 Points / ₹100 (1.25% value) | Max 1,000 bonus points / month | 5,000 Points (~₹1,250 value) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 1 Point / ₹100 (0.25% value) | Uncapped | 1,000 Points (~₹250 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
5X Rewards on Dining & Bills + 4 Domestic Lounges
Earn 5X points on office utilities and dining and enjoy 4 domestic lounges per year.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining & Online Shopping5 points per ₹100 across restaurants, food delivery, and e-commerce. | 5× · 5 Points / ₹100 (1.25%) | 1,000 bonus pts / month | — |
| Office & Utility Bills5 points per ₹100 on electricity, broadband, and telecom bills. | 5× · 5 Points / ₹100 (1.25%) | 1,000 bonus pts / month | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points on BOBCARD Rewards portal for statement credit or brand vouchers.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement Cash CreditBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
| Brand Shopping VouchersBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +Dining, food delivery, online shopping, and utility bills.
- +Domestic airport lounges (1 per quarter).
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver across India.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel purchases (eligible for 1% surcharge waiver only).
- −ATM cash withdrawals.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹0 (100% Lifetime Free) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.50% + GST |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400 to ₹5,000 transactions (Max ₹250/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Professional Qualification | Active Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Documentation | Valid ICAI Membership Certificate / Number & PAN Card |
| Age Requirement | 21 to 65 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card?
Who is ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card
The ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD Credit Card is Bank of Baroda’s distinguished professional affinity credit card engineered specifically for members and fraternity of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Issued on Visa Signature and RuPay networks as an unconditional Lifetime Free (LTF) product, it carries zero joining fees and zero annual renewal fees forever, with no minimum spend conditions.
Tailored to the financial lifestyle and operational needs of Chartered Accountants, the card pairs executive prestige with powerful everyday rewards. Cardholders enjoy 5X accelerated reward points (5 points per ₹100 spent = 1.25% value at 1 point = ₹0.25) on dining, online e-commerce shopping, and office utility bills, 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year, an industry-low 2.0% foreign currency markup fee on international conferences and examinations, and a 1,000-point activation welcome gift.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Unconditional Lifetime Free Status: Zero joining fee and zero annual renewal charges for all verified Chartered Accountants and ICAI members, with no annual spend thresholds.
- 5X Accelerated Rewards on Key Professional Categories: Earn 5 reward points per ₹100 spent (1.25% return) on dining out, online e-commerce orders, and utility bill payments (electricity, telephone, internet, and office software).
- Reduced 2.0% Foreign Currency Markup: Special 2.0% + GST forex markup on international transactions, saving significantly on global accounting conferences, overseas travel, and international professional subscriptions.
- Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access: 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per calendar quarter (up to 4 visits annually) across major Indian airport terminals.
- Welcome Bonus & RuPay UPI Payment Integration: Receive 1,000 bonus reward points upon card activation and spending ₹1,000 within the first 30 days, alongside native RuPay UPI QR scanning from mobile payment apps.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Professional Eligibility Verification: Issuance is restricted exclusively to members registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) with valid membership credentials.
- Monthly Accelerated Reward Cap: 5X accelerated reward points are capped at 1,000 reward points per billing cycle on dining, online shopping, and utility categories.
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel purchases, ATM cash withdrawals, wallet reloads, and rent payments do not accrue reward points.
- Standard Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 across all petrol pumps in India (capped at ₹250 per cycle).
- Finance Charges (APR): Unpaid revolving statement balances attract standard interest charges of 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum).
Who Benefits Most
- Practicing Chartered Accountants & Financial Advisors: Professionals who desire an exclusive identity card representing their institute with zero recurring fees.
- Corporate Finance Executives: CAs who travel for client audits, national conferences, and international symposiums requiring lounge access and reduced forex charges.
- Office Practitioners: Professionals who route office utility bills, dining client lunches, and tech purchases through a dedicated affinity credit card.
- Bank of Baroda / BOBCARD — ICAI Exclusive BOBCARD official schedule of charges and MITC
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Partnership Terms — 100% LTF status, 5X rewards & domestic lounge terms
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).