Indian Overseas BankLifetime Free

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card

Last updated: 13 September 2026

Welcome offerNo joining fee or annual fee; lifetime free card
Annual fee
Lifetime Free
Reward rate
1 point per ₹100 spent (standard IOB scheme)
Editorial score guidance
700+
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Free to apply via CardsGuruji · subject to issuer approval

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card | CardsGuruji
RuPay
Rewards

How the rewards work

What you earn on every spend, and the ways you can cash it in.

You earn

1 point per ₹100 spent (standard IOB scheme)

Points can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, travel, entertainment, recharge, DTH, and more. Points expire after 12 months.

Reward currency
Reward Points
Card network
RuPay
Perks

What you get with this card

The privileges that come bundled in, beyond the reward points.

  • Lifetime free card

  • Reward points on all purchases

  • Fuel surcharge waiver at select stations

  • Accepted at over 1.18 million merchant establishments

Our verdict

Pros & cons

An honest read on where this card earns its keep — and where it doesn't.

What we like

  • No annual fee

  • No joining fee

  • Fuel surcharge waiver

  • Reward points on all spends

What to watch out for

  • Lower credit limit (Max ₹50,000 for public)

  • No lounge access

  • Limited international acceptance compared to Visa/Mastercard

Costs

Fees & charges

Everything the issuer can bill you for, in one place.

Annual fee
₹0Lifetime free — no renewal charge

Other charges

Applied only when the situation arises

Balance transfer
3.5% of transaction value (min ₹500)
Foreign currency markup
3.5% + GST
Late payment
₹300 to ₹1,300 based on due amount
Returned payment
₹500

Interest rates

Charged on any balance you carry forward

Purchases
3.5% per month (42% p.a.)
Balance transfer
3.5% per month
Cash advance
3.5% per month
Eligibility

Credit-score and eligibility guidance

Issuer-stated requirements and CardsGuruji guidance are shown separately.

700+out of 900
CardsGuruji editorial guidance: 700+

What this means for your application

  • A score range is general guidance, not an issuer's eligibility requirement.
  • Issuers independently assess income, employment, existing obligations, repayment history and other criteria.
  • Check the issuer's current eligibility terms before applying; no score guarantees approval.

Note: A displayed score is editorial guidance only unless separately identified as an issuer-stated requirement.

FAQs About IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card

Everything you need to know about IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card fees, reward conversion, lounge access, and application eligibility.

Yes, IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card is issued as a Lifetime Free (LTF) credit card with ₹0 joining fee and ₹0 annual renewal fee. Cardholders do not need to hit an annual spend target to waive the fee. Standard GST is only applicable on interest or fee-based services if incurred.

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card earns Reward Points at a primary rate of 1 point per ₹100 spent (standard IOB scheme). Specifically, Points can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, travel, entertainment, recharge, DTH, and more. Points expire after 12 months.. Spends in Shopping, Lifestyle, Fuel categories provide the maximum valueback per transaction on this card.

Yes, because IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card is on the RuPay network, you can link it directly to any UPI application including Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, and BHIM. This allows you to scan merchant QR codes at local stores and pay from your credit card account while earning reward points.

A CIBIL credit score of 700 or above is strongly recommended for approval of IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card. Applicants should be Indian residents aged 21 to 65 years with a stable monthly income (salaried or self-employed with ITR) and no recent payment defaults or high credit utilization over 30%.

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card levies a forex markup fee of 3.5% + GST on transactions processed in foreign currencies. For cross-border shopping and overseas travel, remember that standard 18% GST applies on the markup charge.

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card currently features a welcome offer: "No joining fee or annual fee; lifetime free card". To claim this joining perk, cardholders typically need to activate the card and complete a qualifying initial transaction within 30 to 60 days of card issuance.

Key highlights include No annual fee and No joining fee. However, keep in mind that Lower credit limit (Max ₹50,000 for public) and No lounge access. Overall, IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card delivers strong value if your regular spending aligns with Shopping, Lifestyle, Fuel.

IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card is focused on Shopping and Lifestyle and Fuel valueback and does not include unconditional complimentary airport lounge visits as a core benefit. If lounge access is a deciding factor for your travels, consider pairing this with a dedicated premium travel credit card.

Yes, IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card includes a 1% fuel surcharge waiver for fuel spends typically between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at all government and private fuel stations in India. (Fuel surcharge waiver at select stations). The monthly waiver is subject to a cap, and GST charged on the surcharge is non-refundable.

You can apply for IOB RuPay Classic Credit Card directly through Indian Overseas Bank's official website or digital portal. Essential documents include your PAN card, Aadhaar card for video KYC, proof of address, and recent income documentation (3 months' salary slips or latest ITR with computation). Decisions are typically communicated within 2 to 4 working days.