Download the ABCD app

Unlock Financial Tools, Investment Insights, And Expert Guidance – All In One Convenient App !

Visit Our ABCD Page

What is Credit Score?

Your credit score is a simple number that shows how responsibly you handle borrowed money. It helps lenders understand your repayment behaviour and decide whether to approve your loan or credit application.

  • A credit score is a 3-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness. Most people know it as the CIBIL score, which ranges from 300 to 900.

  • The score is based on your credit behaviour. This includes loan repayments, credit card usage, and past borrowing.

  • A higher score shows stronger financial discipline. Knowing what a good credit score is can improve your chances of getting approved for loans and credit cards.

Downloading the Aditya Birla Capital Digital App to easily check credit score online.

img

Benefits Of Good Credit Score

A good credit score makes it easier to access credit when you need it most. Lenders use this number to judge how responsibly you've handled credit in the past.

Faster Loan Approvals

With a strong CIBIL score, banks and NBFCs are more likely to approve loans and credit cards quickly. You're seen as a lower-risk borrower.

Lower Interest Rates

A healthy score often earns you lower interest rates on personal loans, home loans, and credit cards. This can reduce the overall cost of borrowing significantly.

Higher Credit Limits

Lenders may offer higher credit limits when your score shows responsible credit behaviour. This gives you more financial flexibility when you need it.

Better Loan Terms and Flexibility

A good score can give you access to flexible repayment tenures and pre-approved loan offers with fewer formalities.

Why manage your credit score with ABCD?

Check your credit score instantly with ease

Download the ABCD app on your Smartphone, enter your details and check your credit score easily and instantly.

sns

Improve your credit score with the Score Simulator

ABCD’s Score Simulator shows you how to improve your credit score by taking certain actions with respect to your credit profile

sns

Personalised tips for improving credit score

Get personalised tips based on your financial requirements to manage and improve your credit score.

Understanding credit score Range and Its Impact

Your score reflects how lenders view your financial discipline and repayment behavior. When you check CIBIL score or review your rating, these ranges help you understand your eligibility for loans, interest rates, and overall credit access.

Grade Excellent Very Good Good Fair Needs Improvement
Score Range 769 – 900 721 - 768 676 - 720 581 - 675 300 - 580
Interest Rate on Loans Low Low Average High Very High
Loan Approval Rate High High Average Low Very Low
Payment History Good Good Average Poor Very Poor
Credit Utilization Ratio Low Low Average High Very High


                   Disclaimer: The above score ranges are based on Equifax guidelines. While all credit bureaus in India use a common range of 300 to 900, your score may vary slightly across bureaus such as CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF due to differences in data reporting and calculation methods.

exprotect

How Is Credit Score Calculated?

Your score is calculated using information shared by banks and financial institutions with credit bureaus. Every time you borrow, repay, or apply for credit, it leaves a record that affects your score over time.

Payment History

Your repayment behavior plays the most important role in your score. Paying EMIs and credit card bills on time helps maintain a healthy CIBIL score. Delays or missed payments can lower it significantly.

Credit Utilisation

This measures how much of your available credit limit you're using. High usage can signal financial stress, even if you pay on time. Keeping utilisation low supports a stronger score.

Length of Credit History

A longer credit history shows consistency in handling credit. Older, well-managed accounts can improve your score when lenders view credit history through your report.

Credit Mix

Having a mix of loans and credit cards reflects balanced borrowing. A healthy mix can positively influence your score during assessments.

New Credit Applications

Frequent loan or card applications in a short period can reduce your score. Each application is visible to lenders, as it signals higher credit demand. Understanding these factors helps you make better credit decisions and work steadily towards maintaining a strong score.

How to Get Your Credit Score Instantly?

You can check credit score online in just a few minutes using the ABCD app. The process is simple, secure, and gives you instant access to your credit score online without any paperwork.

1step

Download the ABCD App

Install the ABCD app from the App Store or Google Play Store on your mobile phone.

2step

Log In or Sign Up

Open the app and log in using your registered details, or sign up if you are a new user.

3step

Go to Credit Track

Navigate to the My Track section and select Credit Track to begin.

4step

Enter PAN Details

Provide your PAN and review the basic details shown on the screen.

5step

Fetch Your Credit Score

Click on Fetch My Score to view your credit score online instantly.

Reasons for Low CIBIL Score

Understanding what is a good credit score and knowing the common reasons for a low score are equally important. You must be aware of the below reasons:

Failing to pay EMIs, credit card bills, or other dues on time shows lenders you have trouble managing repayments. Even one late payment can significantly lower your score. Lenders see it as risky behavior.

Using too much of your available credit limit signals heavy reliance on credit. Experts recommend keeping your utilization below 30 per cent to support a healthier score.

Applying for many loans or credit cards in a short period leads to numerous hard enquiries on your report. This suggests high credit demand and can reduce your score when lenders do their checks.

If you fail to repay a loan in full, it's recorded as a default. It stays on your report for years. Defaults severely damage your score and affect future loan approvals.

Having little or no credit history makes it harder for lenders to judge your repayment behaviour. This can result in a lower score during assessments.

Incorrect personal details or wrongly reported accounts can drag down your score. Regularly checking your report and correcting errors helps protect your rating.

Closing older credit cards or accounts reduces your average credit history length. A longer history usually helps improve your score over time.

What Is CIBIL & Credit Bureaus

Credit scores are created and maintained by institutions called credit bureaus or credit information companies. These bureaus collect data from banks and lenders to build your credit history and provide you with a report and score.

  • TransUnion CIBIL

    TransUnion CIBIL is one of the oldest and most widely used credit bureaus in India. It's especially known for the CIBIL score that many banks check when you apply for loans or credit cards.

  • Experian

    Experian is another major bureau that gathers credit data and calculates scores. Its scoring models may differ slightly from CIBIL's, so your score might vary across bureaus.

  • Equifax

    Equifax also provides credit reports and scores that lenders use when assessing credit applications. Banks may look at Equifax scores along with others to build a broader picture of your history.

  • CRIF High Mark

    CRIF High Mark is the fourth major credit bureau in India. It provides scores and reports just like the others. Each bureau uses its own method to calculate your score, which is why scores may vary slightly.

sci

Factors that affect your credit score

sns

Repayment history

Missed or delayed repayments for existing credit hampers your credit score while a clean history helps in improving it.

sns

Credit utilisation ratio

The ratio indicates the credit utilised vis-a-vis the credit allowed. The lower the ratio, the higher the score and vice-versa

sns

Credit mix

This measures the type of credit you have in your portfolio. A good credit mix yields a high credit score

sns

Never Reach Low Credit Score from Now

sns

Credit history

Length of credit affects your credit score. If you have a long credit history, the score would be high.

sns

Credit enquiries

Too many hard enquiries into the credit score, done by lenders, affect the score negatively.

sns

Negative remarks

Your credit score will be badly affected if your credit report shows remarks like loan settlement or bankruptcy.

How Can You Improve Credit Score?

Improving your score takes consistent financial habits over time, especially if you aim for the best CIBIL score. Small changes can gradually strengthen your credit profile and boost your rating.

Pay Bills On Time

Timely repayment of EMIs and credit card bills shows lenders you handle credit responsibly. This is the single most important factor in building a strong CIBIL score.

Lower credit utilisation

Even though you might have a high credit limit, keep your credit usage low.

Maintain a Good Mix of Credit

A balanced mix of secured loans like home loans and unsecured credit like credit cards helps build a stronger credit profile.

Avoid Too Many Credit Applications

Only apply for new credit when necessary. Multiple applications in a short period can signal risk and lower your score.

Monitor Your Credit Report

Regularly do a credit score check and dispute any errors you find. This ensures your score isn't unfairly affected by mistakes.

Keep Older Accounts Active

Longer credit histories usually contribute positively to your score. So avoid closing old accounts unnecessarily.

Actively Check Your Score

You can also use a free credit rating check occasionally to track your progress. Many platforms also offer a CIBIL score free check that lets you monitor improvements without any cost.

Get your credit score at no cost through
the ABCD App

Do you have a good credit score? Find out with the ABCD app’s Credit Track. Check your score online to assess your creditworthiness.

  • Life Insurance
    Free score check
  • Life Insurance
    Check your score in a few clicks
  • Life Insurance
    Get insights into building and maintaining your credit score

Scan the QR code to download our Mobile App

image_1

Portfolio Track

Consolidate with Portfolio Track
  • Life Insurance
    Consolidate assets, liabilities
  • Life Insurance
    Track portfolio at fingertips

Personal Loan

Instant funds with personal loans
  • Life Insurance
    Low rates, flexible repayment
  • Life Insurance
    Easy Online application
image

FAQs On Credit Score

A credit score is a three-digit statistical number calculated by various credit agencies by taking into account your credit history as well as your repayment capacity. It helps the lender analyze your creditworthiness. The credit score usually ranges from 300 to 900. The higher the credit score, the higher the creditworthiness and the easier it is to avail of loans and credit cards.

The credit score is very important to both the borrower as well as the lender.

Lenders can check the credit score and determine whether the borrower is eligible for a loan or not. On the other hand, as a borrower, you can check your credit score and ascertain whether you can apply for a loan or not. Moreover, if you have a good score, you can get favourable loan terms.

You can maintain a good credit score by keeping the below-mentioned points in mind:

  • Regular bill payment
  • Low credit utilisation
  • Not closing of old credit cards
  • Lesser credit application
  • Regular monitoring of your credit report

Maintaining a good credit score has the following benefits:

  • Low interest rate on loans: Individuals with good credit scores get loans easily at lower interest rates.

  • Higher probability of obtaining loans and credit card: The credit score is a representation of an individual’s repayment capacity and financial habits. A good credit score indicates good creditworthiness, thereby, helping the lender grant the loan without any worry.

  • Higher credit card limit: The credit card limit is directly proportional to your credit score. It means the higher your credit score, the higher will be your credit limit and vice-versa.

  • Better deals: With a good credit score, you always are in a good negotiating position. With a high credit score, you negotiate with the lender in terms of higher credit limits and lower interest rates.

Some factors which affect your credit score negatively are:

  • Late repayments: Delayed payments of your loan or scheduled EMIs have a direct negative impact on your credit score. Every late payment is reflected in your credit report and plays a major role in bringing your score to a lower level.
  • Missed payments: Missed payments lessen your chances of availing a loan in the future.
  • Too many loan applications: Too many loan applications at a time show your incapability of maintaining your finances, thereby, adversely affecting your credit score.
  • Higher credit usage: Utilising a higher percentage of your credit limit also leads to a bad credit score.
  • Human errors: Due to theft of your credit card or any other misinformation in your credit account owing to human errors or similar mistakes, your credit report may flash a negative credit score. You need to check for such errors regularly and rectify them before it’s too late.

Authorised credit bureaus prepare and publish your credit report. Some of these bureaus are TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, CRIF Highmark and Equifax.

Usually checking your credit score regularly does not affect it. You may apply for a credit check multiple times without impacting your credit score. However, if the credit check is being carried out by the lender, then it may affect your credit score a little. Multiple enquiries on your credit account harm your credit score.

You need to furnish the following information to check your credit score with various credit agencies:

  • Name: Your full name as it appears on your birth certificate and other relevant official documents such as voter ID card, ration card, PAN card and other such documents.

  • Date of birth: Date of birth is mandatory to assess your true credit score. The information provided must be by other valid official documents.

  • PAN: You need to provide your correct PAN information to the credit agency to check your credit score.

  • Mobile number. You have to give your registered mobile number to the credit agency. An OTP will be sent to your mobile number.

  • Employment details: Your nature of employment, salary slip and other income-related details have to given to ascertain your credit score

Credit score values usually range from 300-900. Ideally, a credit score above 750 is considered to be a good score and entitles you to obtain the loan. However, the minimum credit score requirement might vary depending upon the type of loan being applied for as well as on the lender with which you have applied for the loan.

You can check your credit score for free through ABCD in some simple steps. Just download the ABCD app, enter your details and find your credit score instantly, free of cost. 

Other ways to check your credit score for free are as follows - 

  • Credit Bureaus: RBI mandates every credit agency to provide an annual credit report once for free. You can mail them and ask for your free credit report once a year.
  • Banks: Banks are also a reliable source of checking your credit score. It is usually free; however, some banks may charge a minimal fee in exchange for your credit score.

Credit scores may vary a little between various credit agencies owing to the following reasons:

  • The method of score calculation may differ among different organizations.
  • The credit reports provided to the credit agencies might have differences among them. This leads to a difference in credit scores.

However, it must be kept in mind that the lenders are usually aware of the different parameters used by different credit agencies and weigh the scores equally.