The verdict
One of the most trusted and accessible secured credit cards in India. With zero fees for 4 years, guaranteed issuance against an SBI FD, and systematic credit score reporting, it is the safest foundation for beginners and credit rebuilders.
Your underlying SBI fixed deposit continues to earn full interest rates (~6.8% to 7.2%). Spending ₹5,000/month (₹60,000/year) earns 600 reward points (~₹150) plus an assured ₹500 milestone cashback, returning ₹650 in cash value alongside credit score building at zero annual maintenance cost for 4 years.
Cardholders who already maintain a 750+ CIBIL score and verified salary income should apply for unsecured cashback cards like SBI SimplyCLICK or SBI Cashback.
✓What works
- +100% guaranteed approval against an SBI Fixed Deposit (₹25,000 minimum FD) with zero income proof.
- +Zero annual fee for the first 4 consecutive years.
- +Underlying fixed deposit continues to earn full SBI bank interest.
- +₹500 statement cashback bonus on reaching ₹50,000 annual spend milestone.
- +Earn 1 reward point for every ₹100 spent on all retail and utility purchases.
- +Reports monthly payment discipline to CIBIL, Experian, and CRIF High Mark to build credit history.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000.
✕What doesn't
- −Requires locking a minimum ₹25,000 in an SBI Fixed Deposit.
- −Modest base reward rate (1 point per ₹100 spent).
- −No complimentary airport lounge access.
What it earns
1 Unnati Reward Point = ₹0.25 for redemption against SBI reward catalogue or shopping vouchers.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Standard Domestic Retail Spends | 1 Point / ₹100 (0.25% value) | Uncapped | 1,000 Points (~₹250 value) |
| Milestone Annual Spend (₹50,000) | ₹500 Assured Cashback (1.0% bonus) | 1 per year | ₹500 Cashback |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
This card does not offer merchant portal or accelerated multiplier rates.
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on SBI Card Rewards portal for electronics, gift vouchers, and utility vouchers.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Shopping VouchersBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
| SBI Card Reward Catalogue | ₹0.20 to ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 2,000 pts | None | ₹99 + GST |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +All domestic POS swipes, online e-commerce, grocery, and utility bill payments.
- +Systematic credit bureau reporting across CIBIL and Experian.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver across India.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel purchases (eligible for 1% surcharge waiver only).
- −ATM cash withdrawals and digital wallet loads.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹0 (Zero Joining Fee) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹0 for first 4 years (₹499 + GST from Year 5 onward, waived on ₹50,000 spend) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 2.75% per month (33.0% per annum — lower secured interest rate) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.50% + GST |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹500 to ₹3,000 transactions (Max ₹100/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Security Requirement | Fixed Deposit with State Bank of India (Minimum ₹25,000 FD) |
| Income Proof | None required (100% approval based on FD lien) |
| Age Requirement | 18 to 70 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SBI Card Unnati offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for SBI Card Unnati?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on SBI Card Unnati?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on SBI Card Unnati?
Who is SBI Card Unnati best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: SBI Card Unnati
The SBI Card Unnati is State Bank of India’s inclusive, fixed-deposit-backed secured credit card, specifically engineered to provide guaranteed credit access to individuals without formal income proof, salaried payslips, or prior bureau credit scores. Issued on the Visa platform against an SBI fixed deposit (FD minimum ₹25,000), it stands out with an unprecedented ₹0 annual fee for the first four consecutive years, making it India’s most cost-effective credit-building financial instrument.
Unnati serves as an accessible stepping stone into formal retail banking: it guarantees 100% approval regardless of past credit history, allows the underlying fixed deposit to continue earning full term-deposit interest rates, grants credit limits typically between 80% to 90% of the pledged deposit amount, earns 1 reward point per ₹100 spent (0.25% valueback), and awards a ₹500 cashback milestone upon spending ₹50,000 annually.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Guaranteed 100% Approval via SBI Fixed Deposit: Open to anyone maintaining an SBI fixed deposit of ₹25,000 or more; zero income documentation, salary slips, or ITR required.
- ₹0 Annual Fee for First 4 Consecutive Years: Completely free of annual maintenance fees for the first four years from card issuance, allowing cardholders to establish a robust credit history with zero recurring overhead.
- Continuous Fixed Deposit Interest: Your pledged SBI fixed deposit continues to compound and earn full scheduled bank interest throughout the life of the credit card.
- ₹500 Annual Cashback Milestone: Receive a ₹500 statement cashback bonus upon achieving ₹50,000 or more in retail spending within a card anniversary year.
- Monthly Credit Bureau Reporting: Every timely repayment is reported directly to CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark, establishing or rehabilitating credit scores into prime (750+) tiers.
- 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Save 1% fuel surcharge on transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000 across Indian petrol pumps (maximum waiver of ₹100 per billing cycle).
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Fixed Deposit Lien Requirement: The underlying SBI fixed deposit remains under bank lien throughout the card tenure and cannot be liquidated until the credit card is officially cancelled and all outstanding dues are cleared.
- Moderate Credit Limit: The credit limit is strictly tethered to the pledged deposit (typically 80% to 90% of the FD face value, e.g., ₹20,000 limit on a ₹25,000 deposit).
- Year 5 Onward Fee Policy: From Year 5 onward, an annual fee of ₹499 + GST applies unless waived by spending ₹50,000 or more in the preceding anniversary year.
- No Airport Lounge Access: The card carries no complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
- Finance Charges on Revolving Dues: Unpaid balances attract interest charges of 2.75% per month (33.0% per annum).
Who Benefits Most
- Credit Builders & Beginners: Students, first-time earners, and young gig workers without formal income documents who need to build a CIBIL score from scratch.
- Credit Score Repair Seekers: Individuals who suffered past loan defaults or settlements seeking a guaranteed, low-cost secured card to restore their creditworthiness.
- Homemakers & Freelancers: Independent professionals and homemakers wanting their own independent credit card without relying on primary earner co-signatures.
- SBI Card — SBI Card Unnati official schedule of charges and MITC
- SBI Secured Credit Program — FD lien terms, 4 years free annual fee & milestone cashback policy
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).