Honestly, this happens more than people realise and CIBIL score being high doesn't guarantee approval. Banks look at way more than just that number.
Here's likely what happened. HDFC Regalia has a minimum salary requirement that's typically around ₹1 lakh per month for salaried applicants through most channels. At ₹62k in-hand, you're probably below their internal threshold for that specific card. They won't tell you this directly — they just say 'internal policy' and leave you guessing. Very annoying but that's how it works.
A few other things that can cause rejection even with a clean score:
**Too few credit accounts.** One credit card for 2 years is decent but banks sometimes want to see more credit history or a mix of credit types. Thin file problem, they call it.
**Enquiry count.** Every time you apply for a card, a hard enquiry gets logged on your CIBIL. If you've applied to multiple places recently, that itself raises a red flag even if score looks fine.
**Company category.** HDFC and most private banks maintain an internal list of approved companies. If your employer isn't on their Category A or B list, they're stricter about salary requirements. Marketing roles at smaller firms sometimes fall into this.
**What you should actually do:**
First, don't apply to more cards right now. Wait 3-4 months minimum. Every rejected application and new enquiry is hurting you slightly.
For your salary range, look at HDFC MoneyBack+ or HDFC Millennia — both have lower eligibility thresholds. Axis Flipkart card and ICICI Amazon Pay card are also easier to get at your income level and genuinely useful for everyday spends.
If you specifically want a premium card, go through your salary account bank first. If your salary comes to SBI, apply for SBI Card PRIME. Your existing relationship helps a lot — they can see your actual deposits and salary credits.
One thing most people get wrong — they think 750+ CIBIL means automatic approval. It just means you won't get rejected for credit behaviour. The bank still decides based on income, employer, existing obligations and their own internal risk appetite.
My recommendation: Apply for HDFC Millennia right now. Build 6 more months of history, then revisit Regalia when you have a salary hike or switch to a company on their approved list.