Key Takeaways
- BOB Vikram is a lifetime free RuPay credit card from BOBCARD Limited, issued exclusively for Indian defence, paramilitary, and police personnel and their families.
- The card earns 5 reward points per Rs 100 on grocery, movies, and departmental store spends, capped at 1,000 reward points per month on these categories. All other retail spends earn 1 reward point per Rs 100, with no monthly cap on the base rate.
- 1 reward point = Rs 0.25 cashback. Maximum accelerated earn value per month from the 5X categories: Rs 250 (1,000 points x Rs 0.25).
- Activation bonus: 500 reward points (Rs 125 value) on spending Rs 25,000 within 60 days of card issuance.
- The card is on the RuPay network and supports UPI payments via GPay, PhonePe, and BHIM once linked to UPI - useful for everyday payments without touching the savings account.
- No RP is earned on fuel transactions where the surcharge waiver applies.
Who Is the BOB Vikram Credit Card For?
BOBCARD has built a dedicated ecosystem of credit cards for India's defence and uniformed services: Yoddha for the Indian Army, Varunah for the Indian Navy, Rakshamah for the Indian Coast Guard, the Sentinel for Assam Rifles, and Vikram as the umbrella card for all defence, paramilitary, and police personnel. The Vikram card is the most broadly accessible - covering personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary forces (CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF), and police forces. Retired personnel and ex-servicemen also qualify.
For defence families who want a lifetime free everyday card with reward points on the categories they actually spend on - groceries, household shopping, and entertainment - Vikram is designed to be the primary no-cost card in the wallet.
Features and Benefits in Detail
Reward Structure
| Spend Category | Reward Rate | Effective Cashback | Monthly Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery, Movies, Departmental Stores | 5 RP per Rs 100 | 1.25% | 1,000 RP (Rs 20,000 spend) |
| All other retail spends | 1 RP per Rs 100 | 0.25% | No cap |
| Fuel (with surcharge waiver) | 0 RP | 0% | Not applicable |
| UPI transactions (core RP) | 1 RP per Rs 100 | 0.25% | No special cap |
The 5X reward rate on grocery and departmental stores is relevant for defence families who shop at Canteen Stores Department (CSD) outlets or at retail supermarkets. A household spending Rs 10,000 per month at grocery and departmental stores earns 500 RP per month (Rs 125) - modest but consistent at zero annual fee. The Rs 20,000 monthly cap threshold means heavy grocery spenders max out the accelerated category at Rs 250 per month.
Reward points expire 24 months from the date of accrual. Minimum 1,000 points (Rs 250) required for redemption from 1 July 2025 per updated BOBCARD MITC.
Welcome and Activation Benefits
- Disney+ Hotstar 3-month subscription: activate on hotstar.com using your registered mobile number within 30 days of card issuance. Enter the coupon code sent to your registered mobile. The subscription covers the Disney+ Hotstar Mobile plan.
- 500 bonus reward points (Rs 125 value): spend Rs 25,000 on the card within 60 days of issuance to unlock. UPI transactions are eligible for core RP earning but do not qualify for the activation bonus.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions between Rs 400 and Rs 5,000 at any petrol station in India.
- Maximum waiver: Rs 250 per statement cycle. No RP is earned on fuel transactions where the surcharge waiver is applied. GST on the surcharge is not reversed.
Insurance Cover
- Personal accidental death insurance cover of Rs 20,00,000 (Rs 20 lakh) is bundled with the card.
- This is a meaningful benefit for defence personnel in high-risk roles whose families may need financial support in the event of an accident.
- The cover is typically activated by the card being in active use - verify the exact conditions of the insurance in the card's MITC and insurance policy document at bobcard.co.in.
UPI Support via RuPay
The Vikram card is on the RuPay network. Link it to GPay, PhonePe, or BHIM via the credit card UPI linking flow. Once linked, you can pay at any merchant QR code using the credit card and earn 1 RP per Rs 100 on qualifying UPI transactions. This makes the Vikram card useful for everyday petty cash payments without reducing your savings account balance.
Fees and Charges
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | Nil (Lifetime Free) |
| Annual Fee | Nil (Lifetime Free) |
| Finance Charge (Eterna/Tiara) | Not applicable - Vikram is neither |
| Finance Charge (Vikram) | 3.75% per month (45% p.a.) per BOBCARD MITC Ver 19 |
| Cash Advance Fee | 2.5% of amount or Rs 500, whichever higher |
| Cash Advance Interest | From Day 1, no grace period ever |
| Forex Markup | 3% on international transactions |
| Late Payment Fee | Rs 0 to Rs 1,300 per BOBCARD MITC (tiered by outstanding) |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% on Rs 400 to Rs 5,000 transactions, max Rs 250/cycle |
| RP Validity | 24 months from date of accrual |
| Min RP for Redemption | 1,000 points (from 1 July 2025) |
| 1 RP Value | Rs 0.25 cashback |
Source: BOBCARD MITC Ver 19 (effective 1 April 2026) and bobcard.co.in. Verify current charges before applying.
How Vikram Compares with Other Defence Cards
| Card | For | Annual Fee | Top Reward | Lounge | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOB Vikram (RuPay) | All defence/paramilitary/police | Nil | 5 RP/Rs 100 (grocery/movies) | None | Rs 20L accidental death |
| BOB Yoddha | Indian Army | Nil | 10 RP/Rs 100 (grocery/dept stores) | 8 domestic/year | Rs 30L + FITPASS |
| BOB Varunah | Indian Navy (3 variants) | Nil to Rs 2,499+GST | Up to 15 RP/Rs 100 | Unlimited (Premium) | Air Rs 1Cr (Premium) |
| BOB Rakshamah | Indian Coast Guard | Nil | Up to 5 RP/Rs 100 | Verify at bobcard.co.in | Verify at bobcard.co.in |
| Axis Pride Platinum | Defence personnel | Nil | 5 RP/Rs 100 | None | Rs 50L accidental death |
Note: Yoddha, Varunah, and Rakshamah feature data sourced from publicly available BOBCARD product pages and partner sites. Verify exact current benefits at bobcard.co.in before applying.
The Verdict: Is the Vikram Card Worth It?
Yes, with no conditions. The Vikram card costs nothing, earns on the everyday spend categories that matter most to defence households, includes a Rs 20 lakh personal accident cover, comes with a 3-month Disney+ Hotstar subscription, and works on UPI via RuPay. There is no reason a serving or retired defence, paramilitary, or police personnel member should not hold this card as a base everyday card.
For a broader view of all BOBCARD defence cards and which one suits your service branch, see our BOB credit card complete guide. For how to earn maximum value from BOBCARD reward points, see our Etihad miles and BOBCARD rewards guide.
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All card features, fees, and benefits are based on publicly available information as of May 2026 and are subject to change. Verify current terms on the official BOBCARD or bank website before applying. BOBCARD Limited (formerly BOB Financial Solutions Limited) is a 100% subsidiary of Bank of Baroda and an RBI-regulated entity. Readers are advised to refer to the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) available at bobcard.co.in. Card issuance is at BOBCARD Limited's sole discretion. |
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