The verdict
A premier defense credit card offering outstanding financial security and travel privileges at zero cost. Combining ₹50 Lakhs defense insurance cover, 8 annual domestic airport lounge visits, and UPI payment flexibility, it is an essential financial asset for defense personnel and their families.
With ₹0 annual fee, all benefits are pure profit. Spending ₹10,000/month earns 2,400 reward points/year (~₹600 value). Adding 8 domestic airport lounge visits (~₹9,600) and ₹600 fuel surcharge savings delivers over ₹10,800 in net annual value alongside priceless ₹50 Lakhs accidental insurance protection.
Civilians are ineligible to apply; applicant must hold active defense/police credentials or PNB Rakshak salary account.
✓What works
- +100% Lifetime Free credit card with zero joining fees and zero annual charges forever.
- +₹50 Lakhs complimentary personal accidental death insurance cover for defense personnel.
- +2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (8 visits per year).
- +RuPay enabled for merchant UPI QR scan-and-pay transactions.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000 at all petrol pumps.
- +Complimentary 24x7 concierge service for travel, dining, and ticketing assistance.
✕What doesn't
- −Exclusively reserved for defense, paramilitary, and police personnel.
- −Standard base reward rate of 2 points per ₹100.
What it earns
1 PNB Reward Point = ₹0.25 for statement credit or brand shopping vouchers on PNB Rewardz.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Domestic & International Retail Spends | 2 Points / ₹100 (0.50% value) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (~₹500 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
100% LTF + ₹50 Lakhs Defense Cover + 8 Lounges
Enjoy lifetime free card ownership, 8 domestic airport lounges, and comprehensive defense protection.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Purchases & UPI Payments2 points per ₹100 across online, offline, and RuPay UPI merchant transactions. | 1× · 2 Points / ₹100 (0.50%) | Uncapped | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on PNB Rewardz portal for merchandise, vouchers, or statement credit.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNB Rewardz Shopping & VouchersBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| Statement Cash CreditBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +All retail stores, supermarkets, dining, online e-commerce, and RuPay UPI merchants.
- +Domestic airport lounges (2 per quarter) and ₹50 Lakhs defense insurance.
- +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) | 2.95% per month (35.40% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.50% + GST |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹500 to ₹4,000 transactions (Max ₹250/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Defense Service Criteria | Serving or retired personnel of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, CAPF, State Police |
| Documentation | Defense Service ID Card or PNB Rakshak Salary Account |
| Age Requirement | 21 to 70 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card?
Who is PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card
The PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card is a specialized defense credit card issued by Punjab National Bank in collaboration with NPCI on the RuPay network. Exclusively crafted for serving and retired personnel of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State Police forces under the PNB Rakshak Salary Scheme, the card is issued on a 100% Lifetime Free basis with zero joining fees and zero annual renewal charges forever.
Beyond its zero-cost ownership, the card provides extraordinary financial security and travel privileges rarely found on entry-level or fee-free products. Cardholders receive a comprehensive ₹50 Lakhs personal accidental death insurance cover, providing vital financial reassurance for military and police families. Combined with 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 visits per calendar quarter), RuPay credit-on-UPI interoperability for seamless merchant QR payments, 24x7 concierge assistance, and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, the PNB Rakshak RuPay Select stands as an invaluable companion for service personnel across India.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- 100% Lifetime Free Defense Privilege: Zero joining fees and zero annual renewal charges forever, with no minimum spend threshold required to maintain fee exemption.
- Substantial ₹50 Lakhs Accidental Insurance: Complimentary personal accidental death and total permanent disability cover of ₹50 Lakhs tailored specifically for defense forces.
- 8 Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounges: Access premier airport lounges across India with 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (8 visits per year).
- Credit on UPI Merchant Payments: Link directly to popular UPI applications (BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) to make seamless QR payments from the credit card account.
- Universal Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on petrol and diesel purchases between ₹500 and ₹4,000 at all fuel stations across India.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Exclusive Service Eligibility: Restricted strictly to active or retired defense, paramilitary, and police personnel holding valid service identification or a PNB Rakshak defense salary account.
- Quarterly Lounge Access Frequency: Domestic lounge access is allocated as 2 visits per calendar quarter and cannot be pooled or carried forward across quarters.
- Base Reward Earn Rate: General retail spending accrues a standard 2 reward points per ₹100 spent (0.50% valueback via PNB Rewardz redemptions at ₹0.25 per point).
- Non-Reward Categories: Fuel transactions and cash withdrawals are excluded from reward point accrual.
- Foreign Currency Markup: Transactions conducted in foreign currencies incur a standard 3.50% + GST markup fee.
Who Benefits Most
- Active & Retired Defense Personnel: Military, paramilitary, and police officers seeking complete financial peace of mind through a ₹50 Lakhs accidental insurance policy.
- Frequent Traveling Service Members: Defense personnel traveling between home stations and duty posts who can maximize 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits annually.
- UPI QR Spenders: Defense families wanting to route daily canteen, grocery, and local merchant spending through RuPay UPI while enjoying lifetime zero fees.
- Punjab National Bank — PNB Rakshak RuPay Select Credit Card official schedule of charges and MITC
- PNB Defense Salary Package (DSP) Scheme — ₹50 Lakhs insurance cover, 100% LTF terms & 8 domestic lounge visits
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).