CIBIL score is a term thrown by every financial institution when extending credit lines to individuals. The score defines your credit history and whether you are worthy enough for a loan or credit card. The higher the score, the better it is for you. But, what exactly is a CIBIL score, how is it calculated, what can you do to maintain a healthy score, how much score do you need to secure a loan, and how to check your CIBIL score. If you are looking for answers to these questions, then you are at the right place. Read along to find answers to your basic questions regarding your CIBIL score and where to check your CIBIL score.
What is a CIBIL score?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorised CIBIL, which is an acronym for Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited, as a credit agency. The agency is responsible for generating CIBIL scores and reports for individuals based on their credit information. Individual CIBIL scores take into account 6 months of financial data of an individual before scoring them. The score is in three digits and usually lies between 300-900. The closer the score to 900, the better it is. 300 is the minimum score, and you should try maintaining your CIBIL score to at least 750 points, which will benefit you when taking loans as companies provide lower interest rates to such individuals. Paying your Credit Card bills on time and optimizing the credit utilisation ratio are some points you should factor in to maintain a high CIBIL score.
How to check CIBIL score online for free
Now that you have some basic understanding of what CIBIL is and how it works let’s get into how you can check your CIBIL score online completely for free.
- Open a new tab in the web browser of your choice.
- Head to https://www.cibil.com/freecibilscore.
- Navigate to the Get Your Free CIBIL Score button and click it.
- On the next screen, enter your email address, name, mobile number, password, etc. Ensure to use the right mobile number as you will receive an OTP, which will be required in the next step. As an Identification Proof, you will have to attach either one of these: PAN card number, Passport number, Voter ID, Drivers license number, or Ration card number.
- Once you’ve filled in all the details, click the Accept & Continue button.
- Enter the OTP you receive in the text box and click Continue.
- Click Go to Dashboard.
Some other apps/ websites to check CIBIL Score for free
- PayTM
- CRED
- INDmoney
- Credit Karma
- CreditWise
What is a good CIBIL score?
CIBIL score ranges from 300 to 900. A good CIBIL score ranges from 650 to 900. The higher the score, the better it is for an individual. It would be best if you tried maintaining your CIBIL score above the 750 mark to reap the most benefits as a credit user. That said, the score is divided into four ranges and is categorised as,
- 300-549: Poor
- 550-649: Average
- 650-749: Good
- 750-900: Excellent
1. 350-549
If your CIBIL score lies between 300-549, it is considered a bad score. If you are in this range, it might be because you’ve been defaulting on your Credit Card bills or loan instalments. Individuals in this range are considered high-risk and do not often get approved for loans, let alone a higher interest rate.
2. 550-649
The 550-649 CIBIL score range is neither good nor bad; it’s just mediocre. If your CIBIL score lies in this range, it is because you’ve defaulted on your payments a couple of times here and there. While you might get approved for loans in this range, the interest rate will definitely be higher.
3. 650- 749
A CIBIL score between 650-749 is like the stepping stone to success. If your CIBIL score lies in this range, you have been paying your dues on time. Banks and other companies will most certainly offer you loans at a good interest rate. However, to get the best deal, you must cross the threshold of 750 points.
4. 750-900
If your CIBIL score lies between 750-900 points, you’ve reached an excellent CIBIL score. You will now be able to get the best interest rate as you’ve been paying your dues on time consistently. Banks will also offer you a loan without hesitation, as individuals in this range are considered low-risk in terms of paying their Credit Card bills and loan instalments.
Why is a good CIBIL score required?
The CIBIL score is the most important determinant of loan approval. There are several reasons why individuals from all walks of life borrow money from the bank. You might come across the need for an education loan if you’re a student, a housing loan if you intend on buying a house, and so on and so forth. Maintaining a high CIBIL score can ensure that your loan is quickly APPROVED and help you get the LOWEST INTEREST RATE possible.
Another reason to maintain or increase your CIBIL score is to attain a HIGH CREDIT LIMIT. If you’ve been consistently paying your dues on time, banks will offer to increase your credit limit as you’re a low-risk individual. Banks will also approve higher loan amounts from individuals with a high CIBIL score.
Tips to improve CIBIL score
There are chances that no matter what you do, your CIBIL score does not increase at all. If you’re in such a situation where you are struggling to improve your CIBIL score, here are some pointers that will help you boost your CIBIL score from one tier to another.
1. Punctual bill payments
Paying your credit calls bills or loan EMI’s on time is the first step towards increasing your CIBIL score. If you follow all other steps but are inconsistent with the payment of dues, your CIBIL score would decrease rather than increase. As the CIBIL score takes a certain period to change (usually 6 months), ensure that you are punctual consistently with the payment of dues.
2. Balance Secured and Unsecured debt
Secured debt has collateral backing. For example., Housing loan, Car loan. Etc., have the commodities as collateral. Unsecured debt, however, has no collateral backing. It is given to an individual based on their creditworthiness, determined by their CIBIL/Credit score and their ability to repay. A mix of Secured debt and Unsecured debt is a good way to increase your CIBIL score.
3. Minimize your Credit Utilisation Rate
Keeping your Credit Utilisation Rate, also known as the Credit Utilisation Ratio, below 30% will help you attain a higher CIBIL score. Now, what is Credit Utilisation Rate? In simple terms, Credit Utilisation Rate is the total credit an individual is utilising divided by the full revolving credit they have been approved for.
For example, if you have 2 credit cards with a limit of Rs. 50,000, which equals a total limit of Rs 1,00,000. Now, if the monthly bill of Credit Card “A” is Rs 9,500 and the monthly bill of Credit Card “B” is Rs 10,500, the total amounts to Rs 20,000. Now, dividing Rs 20,000 by Rs 1,00,000 and multiplying that by 100 will give you a Credit Utilisation Rate of 20%. I hope this example helped you better understand the Credit Utilisation Rate concept.
4. Increase your Credit Limit
To lower your Credit Utilisation Rate, you will need to own several credit cards (which is not very advisable), or you will need to get your credit limit increased. The latter is a better option as you won’t have to manage too many credit cards and can lower your Credit Utilisation Ratio. Moreover, if your expenses are on the higher side of the credit limit but you’ve been consistently paying your dues on time, the financial institution that has lent you the credit card will be more than happy to increase your credit limit.
FAQs
Is it safe to check CIBIL score online?
Yes, the official CIBIL website is the safest way to check your CIBIL score online.
Is CIBIL score free?
CIBIL scores and reports are free annually for every individual through the official CIBIL website. Several websites might help estimate your CIBIL score, but if you want to keep track of your score actively, you will have to pay certain charges to the official CIBIL website.
Is credit score and CIBIL score the same?
Only CIBIL can calculate and provide the CIBIL score of an individual. However, any of the 4 credit bureaus: CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, and CRIF High Mark, can provide an individual’s credit score. While credit and CIBIL both are relevant, most banks will always prefer the CIBIL scores.
What is NA/NH in CIBIL score?
NA and NH are acronyms for Not Applicable and No History, respectively. Individuals with no credit or loan history fall under this category. And if you are in this category, you should consider beginning to build a CIBIL score, as it comes in handy when you’re on the lookout for a loan or credit card.
The post CIBIL score check: How to get FREE credit score report online using a PAN card, Aadhaar, Passport, and more first appeared on 91mobiles.com.
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