Removing Credit Enquiries from CIBIL – What You Should Know

Planning to apply for a Home Loan? Know that your credit health plays a key role in the process. Among the various details lenders consider, your CIBIL score often tops the list. But beyond your repayment history and outstanding dues, there’s another factor that can affect your creditworthiness: credit enquiries. 

These may seem like routine entries at first, but if they pile up or are incorrect, they can start to weigh your score down. This is especially relevant when applying for large-ticket credit like a Home Loan.  So, how to remove an enquiry from CIBIL? Let’s walk through it. 

What is a Credit Enquiry?

In simple terms, a credit enquiry refers to a request made by a lender or financial institution to check your credit report when you apply for a loan or credit card. This is often called a ‘hard enquiry’, and it gets registered in your report.  

Think of it like this—every time you fill out an application for a credit card or Home Loan, the lender runs a check to understand how you've handled credit in the past. This is where that enquiry comes in. 

There are two main types of enquiries: 

• Soft enquiry – This usually occurs when you check your own CIBIL report or receive a pre-qualified offer. It doesn’t affect your credit score.  
• Hard enquiry – This is initiated by a lender when you apply for credit. Too many of these in a short period reduces your score. 

How a Credit Enquiry Affects Your CIBIL Score?

While a single hard enquiry might only cause a minor dip in your score, frequent ones—especially in a short span—can lead to a more noticeable drop. When applying for a Home Loan, a lower score could impact your eligibility or the terms you’re offered. 

How to Remove Enquiry from CIBIL Report?

While legitimate hard enquiries cannot be removed, incorrect or unauthorised ones certainly can be addressed. 

Here’s what you can do: 

Step 1 – Check Your CIBIL Report

Start by reviewing your credit report on the official CIBIL website. Look at the ‘Enquiries’ section carefully. If you spot a loan you never applied for, make a note of it. 

Step 2 – Raise a Dispute with CIBIL

If there’s a genuine error, you can raise a dispute directly with CIBIL. Go to the official website and use the ‘Dispute Resolution’ section to submit a request. Make sure to provide accurate information, such as the enquiry date, institution name, and reason for the dispute. 

Step 3 – Wait for Verification

Once your dispute is submitted, CIBIL will verify the information. If the entry was made in error, it will be removed or corrected. 

How to Keep Credit Enquiries Under Control?

Apart from knowing how to remove enquiries from CIBIL, it’s even more useful to avoid unnecessary ones in the first place. Here’s what can help: 

• Limit applications – Avoid applying for multiple loans or credit cards in a short period. If you’re comparing rates, do your research first without submitting actual applications. 
• Be mindful of co-applications – If you are applying jointly, remember that the enquiry reflects on all applicants' reports. 
• Monitor your credit – Checking your own credit report won’t harm your score. In fact, it helps you stay on top of changes or inconsistencies. 

When Should You Raise a Dispute?

Here are a few situations where it may be worth raising a formal dispute with CIBIL: 

• You’ve never applied for a loan or credit card with the mentioned lender 
• The same enquiry appears more than once 
• The date or type of enquiry seems incorrect 
• You suspect identity theft or unauthorised credit applications 

Understanding and managing credit enquiries is an important part of building a healthy credit profile, especially when preparing for a major financial step like buying a home.