What is the Procedure to Check your CIBIL Score Rating?

The Credit Information Bureau India Limited (CIBIL) is one of the four well-known organizations authorized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to collect credit data. Besides CIBIL, there are three other organizations with RBI authorization, Experian, Equifax and Highmark, who are not as popular. Thus, credit ratings in India are usually referred to directly as the CIBIL TransUnion or simply CIBIL score. Before going further let us understand what a CIBIL score rating is.

What is a CIBIL Score Rating?

CIBIL score rating is a 3-digit numeric value that reflects your financial record, and it ranges from 300 to 900. The nearer your score is to 900, the better your credit assessment. A CIBIL credit score requires some time to develop. It is estimated that 18 months to 3 years are a sufficient time to develop a good CIBIL score. 

The credit score is a reflection of various variables, including the client's instalment history, late instalments, exceptional sums borrowed, etc. Before dismissing or supporting a credit application, moneylenders, banks, and monetary establishments generally take a look at the client's CIBIL score.

A decent CIBIL score mirrors a client's good financial conduct. Individuals with a decent CIBIL score are bound to be supported for credit cards with larger credit limits.

CIBIL Score Range

A CIBIL score goes from 300 - 900, 900 being the top score. Overall, individuals with a CIBIL score of at least 750 are considered trustworthy borrowers. Given below are some CIBIL score ranges.

NA/NH: In case you have no monetary record, your CIBIL score will be NA/NH. This suggests that the borrower is "not suitable" or has “no arrangement of encounters". If you have not used a credit card or have never paid a utility bill in your name, you will have no record as a customer. In such a case you must consider getting a credit card, as it will help you in building a record and a credit history.

350 – 549: A CIBIL score in this range is considered an unsuitable CIBIL score. It suggests you have been late in covering credit card bills and EMIs of your existing loans. With a CIBIL score in this range, you may not be able to get a loan or a credit card since CIBIL considers you a defaulter.

550 – 649: A CIBIL score in this range is considered less. It indicates you have been unsuccessful in trying to pay your bills on time. The initial costs on credit cards could be higher on this score but with consistency in payment, you can soon enter a better, more acceptable range. 

650 – 749: Assuming your CIBIL score is in this range, you are on your way to building a good credit history. You ought to keep showing great credit conduct and increase your score further. Moneylenders will consider your credit application seriously.

750 – 900: This is an excellent CIBIL score. It proposes that you have been consistent with credit repayments and have a great repayment history. Banks will offer you credit and credit cards at a lower rate of interest since they are assured of repayment.

Also Read: Tips to Maintain Your Business CIBIL Score Above 700

Why does the CIBIL score matter?

The CIBIL score gives an initial evaluation for the bank or the lending institution. The higher the score, the better are your chances of getting your credit endorsed. The choice to loan is exclusively dependent upon the bank or the lending financial institution, and CIBIL does not in any way, choose if the credit/credit card ought to be authorized or not. It only provides the bank or the lending financial institution, with a fair perspective on the repayment ability of the borrower. Thus, the CIBIL score just features as an essential part of the credit application process. 

When someone comes to a bank or a financial institution, for credit, the lending institution first checks the prospective borrower’s CIBIL score and CIBIL report. In case the CIBIL score is low, the bank may not consider the application for further processing. If the CIBIL score is high, the bank will evaluate the application and consider various aspects (in addition to the CIBIL score) before approving credit.

What does a credit report or CIBIL report mean?

• A credit report or CIBIL report is the record of a borrower's repayment capacity.  
• It evaluates the prospective borrower's monetary record from different sources, including banks, credit card associations, combination workplaces, and law-making bodies.  
• A borrower’s rating is the result of a mathematical computation applied to credit information. 

How to Check CIBIL Score Rating?

Method 1: From the official CIBIL website

One can check the CIBIL score by signing in to the CIBIL site and paying a (nominal)fee.

To check your CIBIL score from the official website, follow these steps:

1. ​Visit the official website of CIBIL at www.cibil.com 
2. Click on the 'Get Your CIBIL Score' button on the homepage.
3. You will be directed to a new page where you will have to provide your personal details like name, email ID, date of birth, gender, and PAN card number. 
4. Once you have filled in the details, click on the 'Accept and Continue' button.
5. You will be directed to the payment page where you will have to pay the required fee to check your CIBIL score. 
6. After the payment is completed, you will receive a confirmation message on your registered email ID.
7. You will then be directed to the CIBIL score page where you can view your score and credit report. 

Note: CIBIL charges a fee for checking your credit score and report. You may also be required to provide additional information to verify your identity before you can access your credit report. 

Method 2: Using the Bajaj Finserv website

1. You can easily check your credit score on the Bajaj Finserv website for free. All you have to do is follow the steps below: 
2. Open the Bajaj Finserv website and type CIBIL score in the search box at the top fixed pane of the page.   
3. Click on the most appropriate option when the result pops up and you shall be redirected to the Check FREE CIBIL Score page. There, you just have to locate the ‘Check Score’ button and click on it.   
4. A pop up will then appear on your screen asking you to sign in using your Mobile Number. 
5. Once you enter the number, you will receive an OTP to confirm your number, entering which you will be presented with a basic form to fill with your *personal details including your PAN, your monthly income and the kind of loan you are looking for.  
6. After you enter the details, click on the ‘proceed’ button. This is the last step  

*Note that these details are completely safe with Bajaj and are not shared with third party or other websites. 

Also Read: How to Check, Calculate, and Improve CIBIL Score? 

Factors that Influence CIBIL Score

1. ​Irregular Payment History: Irregular instalment payments can lead to a bad score. A new CIBIL investigation (detailed by the Monetary Express) says that 30-day misconduct can lessen your score by 100.
2. Credit Use Proportion: If you use more than 30% of credit than you are allowed, at any point of time, it will cut your score down. A higher credit usage shows that you have been overspending and thus may turn into a defaulter. 
3. Credit inquiries: Each time you apply for an advance or a credit card, the bank or the lending financial institution will check your credit report. This is known as a hard request. Hard requests followed by non-approval of credit lead to a lowering of CIBIL score. 
    

How to additionally foster CIBIL Rating?

There are a couple of essential practices that can be followed to further develop one's CIBIL rating: 

1. Pay your credit instalments regularly.
2. Pay by the due date and try to pay in full.
3. Avoid multiple hard inquiries. 
4. Maintain credit use proportion. Do not use more than 30% of your credit.
5. Utilize your old credit cards without opening new lines of credit.
6. If you open new lines of credit, make sure you use all available lines of credit regularly. 

Is it safe to check your CIBIL score online?

Yes. It is absolutely safe to check your CIBIL score online. Not only does this give you a regular update regarding your credit history, but it also brings to light any disparities that might have crept into your records. Any disparities can be reported online and should be corrected as soon as possible.