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Major Indian Banks Launch Festive Credit Card Promotions Ahead of Diwali

India's top five banks launch coordinated Diwali credit card campaigns offering cashback and travel discounts, intensifying competition for festive season consumer spending.

LSN India · 26 October 2026

Major Indian Banks Launch Festive Credit Card Promotions Ahead of Diwali

India's leading financial institutions have unveiled a slate of credit card promotions timed to capitalize on increased consumer spending during the Diwali season. The offerings span multiple spending categories, with particular emphasis on electronics and travel segments where festive purchasing typically peaks.

HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and the State Bank of India are providing cashback incentives on electronics purchases, while also offering discounts on airline tickets and hotel bookings. Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank have similarly structured their promotional calendars to reward cardholders across both categories during the festival period.

Consumers planning major purchases or travel arrangements during Diwali are advised to compare offerings across cards, as benefits vary by spending category and transaction value. The promotions underscore intensifying competition among India's banking sector to capture festive season consumer spending, which traditionally accounts for a significant portion of quarterly retail transactions.

Cardholders should review terms and conditions closely, as cashback percentages, spending thresholds and eligible merchant categories differ across issuers. Industry analysts note that such seasonal promotions have become standard practice among major lenders seeking to drive card usage and transaction volumes during peak consumer spending periods.