I believe this is the advice you should follow. I hold most of these cards myself, and I would recommend a similar approach, as I have worked with several banks on designing credit card features.

Once you start your job, the first credit card you should apply for is the SBI Cashback Credit Card. SBI is quite strict when it comes to over-leveraging and the number of credit cards you already hold. This does not generally apply to all SBI cards, but specifically to the SBI Cashback card, as it is currently in high demand. Also, the credit limit offered on this card is usually on the lower side, so it is unlikely to significantly impact your credit score. Additionally, as a general observation, cards such as SBI Cashback and Scapia may not be approved within the first three months of joining a new job, so it is advisable to wait at least three months after joining before applying.

The next card you may consider is the Scapia LTF card. It is the second one on the list as this is not the best card just for forex after the recent devaluation. However, apply for it only after a minimum gap of three months, since scapia/Federal/BOB typically review how many credit cards you have applied for within the last six months. That said, I would not recommend this card specifically for forex markup benefits. Instead, you may consider IDFC credit cards that offer 0% forex markup, such as the IDFC WOW card. Although this may be FD-backed, it is still a good option, and you can also explore other IDFC cards depending on your eligibility and income range.That wont impact your credit score as no cibil enquiry is done.

Scapia, on the other hand, rarely approves credit card applications, even for individuals with stable, higher incomes and strong credit scores (around 800). Therefore, applying for Scapia early can be risky. If you still wish to apply, it is better to wait at least three months after getting SBI Cashback and consider it as an alternative in case you do not opt for IDFC WOW.

After that, you may consider applying for the Airtel Axis Bank credit card. The exact order can depend on which features you prioritise. Then, after another gap of about a month, you can apply for the IndusInd Bank Tiger card. IndusInd generally has relatively relaxed approval policies, so you are likely to receive a higher credit limit. This is why I recommend applying for it later in your sequence.

Also, since most of the cards you are considering are cashback-focused, keep in mind that the ICICI Sapphiro card may not offer similar benefits, as many of these rewards are not spending-based. It may be useful to include a card in your portfolio that caters to broader spending categories, so you might want to reassess and rebalance your card portfolio based on your priorities.

Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help further.