Free Press Journal reports on first-time users and credit cards. It says they should apply online with JioFinance. An online application can save you a branch visit and a lot of paperwork.
But the way you apply matters less than the card you get. Check the fees, the limit and the interest rate first. Then borrow only what you can repay every month.
Key takeaways
- Free Press Journal reports that applying online with JioFinance suits first-time card users.
- An online form saves time, but it doesn't change what the card costs.
- Paying the full bill by the due date keeps interest at zero.
- Compare annual fees, late charges and interest before you accept any card.
- A first card works best with a small limit and autopay.
How applying for a credit card online works
A credit card lets you spend now and pay later. The bank or lender gives you a limit. You spend within that limit and get a bill each month.
If you pay the whole bill by the due date, you usually pay no interest on purchases. If you pay less, the rest carries interest. That interest is the main way cards make money.
Applying online is mostly the same process as walking into a branch. The headline from Free Press Journal doesn't give us the exact steps, fees or limits for the JioFinance offer. So check those details inside the app before you apply.
In general, an online application asks for your name, phone number, PAN and income details. The lender then checks your KYC, which means proving who you are. It also looks at your credit history to decide your limit.
What changes for a first-time user
A first-timer often has no credit history. That can make approval harder and limits smaller. A small limit isn't bad news. It keeps your mistakes small too.
Here's a simple example. Say your first bill is ₹10,000, and the card charges about 3.5% interest a month. That's a typical band for Indian cards, but your card may differ. The table shows what happens at different payment levels.
| What you pay | Amount left | Approx. interest next month |
|---|---|---|
| Full bill (₹10,000) | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Half the bill (₹5,000) | ₹5,000 | About ₹175 |
| Minimum only (₹500) | ₹9,500 | About ₹333 |
| Nothing | ₹10,000 | About ₹350, plus a late fee |
The lesson is clear. Paying in full is the only way to use a card for free. Late fees and taxes can make the cost even higher.
You can test your own numbers with the EMI calculator. It helps if you ever convert a big purchase into monthly instalments.
Who is affected
This matters most to young earners, first-job holders and people who have never borrowed. It also matters to anyone who wants to start building a credit score without taking a loan.
It matters less if you already hold a card. Another card won't help unless it has clearly better terms. Several new applications in a short time can also hurt your score, since each one triggers a credit check.
If your income is low or irregular, go slowly. A card is easy to get but hard to escape if the debt grows. You can check where you stand with our eligibility guide.
What to do now
Before you apply, spend ten minutes on this checklist:
- Read the joining fee and annual fee. Ask if either is waived.
- Note the monthly interest rate and the late payment charge.
- Ask for a low limit that matches your income.
- Turn on autopay for the full amount, not the minimum.
- Set a phone reminder three days before each due date.
Also keep an eye on how the lender is regulated. RBI sets the rules for how cards are issued and how charges must be shown. Unwanted cards can't be sent to you without your consent.
If you're comparing credit with other borrowing, see our interest rate tables. For more updates like this one, visit the news hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to apply for a credit card online?
It's safe if you use the lender's own app or website and never share your OTP or card PIN. Don't click links from messages you didn't expect.
Will applying for a card hurt my credit score?
One application causes a small, short dip because the lender checks your credit report. Many applications in a short time can hurt more.
Can a first-time user get a credit card without a credit history?
Yes, many lenders offer starter cards with low limits. Approval depends on your income, KYC and the lender's own rules.
BankCreds analysis
The channel is not the product
The news is about where you apply, not about a better deal. Applying online is faster, but the card costs the same whichever way you reach it. Fees and interest decide what you pay.
Take a first-timer who spends ₹15,000 a month and pays in full. The card costs almost nothing, and any rewards are a small bonus. Now take someone who pays only the minimum. At about 3.5% a month, ₹15,000 unpaid adds roughly ₹525 in interest each month. That wipes out years of rewards.
So don't read this as a reason to rush. A first card is a habit-builder. Start with a low limit, set autopay for the full amount, and treat the card like a debit card. This week, the only useful step is to compare the fee and interest terms.
This section is BankCreds' own assessment of what the development means for Indian borrowers and savers. It is independent commentary, not part of the source reporting above.
Sources & references
- Free Press Journal — originating report https://www.freepressjournal.in/focused-view/why-first-time-users-should-apply-for-a-credit-card-online-with-jiofinance
- RBI Master Directions — RBI rules on how banks and NBFCs issue credit cards and disclose charges https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx
Source links are shown as plain text, not clickable links. Copy a URL into your browser to read the original report.
Editorial note & disclaimer
How this was reported. The development above is attributed to the source or sources listed. BankCreds does not independently verify a third party's reporting; where a figure or a regulatory position is stated as fact, it is either attributed or drawn from the regulator's own published material. Everything under "BankCreds analysis" is our own assessment.
Rates and figures. Interest rates, per-gram values and premium bands quoted here are indicative, move daily, and differ by borrower profile, city and lender policy. Confirm the final number with the institution before you act on it — the sanction letter or policy schedule governs, not a news report.
Not financial advice. This article is general information for an Indian audience. It is not investment, tax, credit or insurance advice, takes no account of your circumstances, and BankCreds is not a lender, broker, distributor or advisor. Consider speaking to a SEBI-registered investment adviser or a qualified professional before acting.
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