Your CIBIL score (300–900) is the first thing every lender checks. A score above 750 unlocks the best interest rates. Here is how to raise yours.
The 8 steps
- Pay every EMI and credit card bill on time. Payment history is 35% of your score — even one missed payment hurts.
- Keep credit card usage under 30% of your limit. Maxed-out cards signal financial stress.
- Do not close old credit cards. Longer credit history improves your score.
- Check your credit report for errors — wrong accounts or closed loans showing active are common. Dispute them online for free.
- Avoid multiple loan applications in a short period. Each application creates a hard inquiry.
- Keep a healthy mix of secured (home, car) and unsecured (personal, card) credit.
- Never settle a loan if you can avoid it — a 'Settled' tag stays on your report for 7 years.
- Set up auto-pay so due dates are never missed.
How long does it take?
With disciplined payments, most people see a 30–80 point improvement in 3–6 months. There is no legitimate shortcut — anyone promising an overnight fix is a scam.