SBI Card Unnati Review
The SBI Card Unnati is a secured, entry-level card designed to help people build (or rebuild) credit. Issued against a fixed deposit, it requires no credit score to apply and costs nothing for four years. Here is the verified review.
- No credit score needed — great for credit-builders
- No joining/annual fee for 4 years
- ₹500 cashback milestone on ₹50,000 annual spend
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- FD continues to earn interest while it backs the card
- Requires a locked ₹25,000 fixed deposit
- Low 1 RP/₹100 reward rate
- Credit limit capped at ~75–90% of FD
- ₹499 fee applies after 4 years
- Basic benefits — it’s a starter card
Fees & rewards
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | Against a ₹25,000 fixed deposit |
| Fee | Nil for 4 years, then ₹499 |
| Rewards | 1 RP per ₹100 |
| Milestone | ₹500 cashback on ₹50,000 annual spend |
| Credit limit | ~75–90% of FD value |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% (₹500–₹3,000) |
Eligibility & documents
Credit score
Not required (FD-secured)
Security
₹25,000 fixed deposit
Network
Visa / RuPay
Best for
First-time / credit-builders
Fee
Free for 4 years
Documents
PAN, Aadhaar, FD with SBI
Who this card is for
- Best fit: people new to credit, or rebuilding, who can park a ₹25,000 FD.
- Skip if: you already qualify for an unsecured rewards card.
How to apply & how to cancel
Apply: via sbicard.com with an SBI fixed deposit. Cancel: call SBI Card after clearing dues; the FD is released on closure.
Final verdict
The SBI Card Unnati is a sensible credit-building tool: no credit score needed, no fee for four years, and a small cashback milestone, all backed by a refundable FD. The rewards are basic, so once your score is established, graduate to an unsecured rewards card — but as a starter, it does its job well.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a credit score to apply?
No — it’s secured against a ₹25,000 fixed deposit, so no credit score is required. It’s designed for credit-builders.
What is the fee?
No joining or annual fee for the first four years; ₹499 thereafter.
What’s the credit limit?
Typically 75–90% of your fixed-deposit value.
What rewards does it earn?
1 reward point per ₹100, plus ₹500 cashback on ₹50,000 of annual spend.
Data current as of June 2026, cross-checked against SBI Card and . Confirm current terms on sbicard.com before applying.