Archive · 3 Oct 2025
Indian Credit Card Evolution: From 1980 to Today
Imagine a small plastic card that lets you buy things now and pay later – that's a credit card!
In India, it all started in 1980 with one card.
Over time, more cards became available, and now there are over 110 million!
They've changed a lot, going from just big banks to even small ones.
The internet made them super useful for shopping online, and discounts and easy payment plans made them popular.
You can even get special cards if you don't have a credit history.
Credit cards help people buy what they need, and are still changing with new options available.
The first credit card in India was launched in 1980 by Central Bank of India.
There are currently over 11 crore active credit cards in India.
Credit cards are issued by large and small finance banks.
Online commerce and discounts have boosted credit card adoption.
Secured credit cards are available for those without a credit history.
- Who
- Credit card users and financial institutions
- What
- The evolution of credit cards in India
- When
- Started in 1980, ongoing
- Where
- India
- Why
- To understand the growth and changes in the credit card market.
- First Credit Card
- Central Card (Central Bank of India, 1980)
- Current Active Cards
- Over 11 crore (May 2025)
- Indigenous Card Network
- RuPay (launched 2012)
- Key Drivers
- Discounts and EMIs
- Issuers
- Large banks and small finance banks