Your CIBIL score is a number from 300 to 900 that tells banks how safely you have handled loans and credit cards. The higher it is, the easier it is to get approved, and often at a lower interest rate. For the full guide (score ranges, how to check it free, fixing mistakes), see CIBIL score explained.
What counts as a good score
| Score | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 750 and above | Good to excellent. Most cards and loans are open to you |
| 700 to 749 | Fair. Many cards are fine; premium cards may say no |
| 650 to 699 | Needs work. Entry cards are possible, with some rejections |
| Below 650 | Hard to get approved. Focus on repairing it first |
| No score (NA or NH) | No credit history yet. Not bad, just empty |
Card pages on SkyloFin show the minimum score each bank asks for, where the bank publishes one. For example, HSBC Live+ asks for 750 and SBI Cashback for 650. See which cards fit your score.
What moves your score
- Paying on time. The biggest factor by far. Even one late payment shows up for years.
- How much of your limit you use. Using a small part of your limit helps. Staying under about 30% is a common rule of thumb.
- How long you have had credit. Older accounts help, so think twice before closing your oldest card.
- A mix of credit. Having both a card and a loan, handled well, helps a little.
- New applications. Each hard enquiry can dip your score a bit. Many in a short time can hurt more.
What does NOT affect your score
- Checking your own score. That is a soft check and changes nothing.
- Your salary or bank balance. They matter to the bank, but they are not in the score.
- Debit card use and UPI payments.
How to raise your score, step by step
- Get your report and check it for mistakes. You are entitled to one free full credit report a year from each credit bureau. Dispute anything that is not yours.
- Clear any overdue amount first. Then keep every payment on time from now on.
- Pay card bills in full. If that is not possible, pay more than the minimum and never miss the date.
- Bring your usage down. Pay before the statement date, or ask for a higher limit and do not spend more.
- Keep old cards open if they are free to keep.
- Space out applications. One new card or loan every few months at most.
- No history? A secured card against a fixed deposit, used a little and paid in full, builds a score in about 6 months.
Improvement takes a few months, because lenders report to the bureaus regularly and the score reflects your pattern over time. There is no quick fix, and anyone selling one is not being honest.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to improve a CIBIL score?
Usually 3 to 6 months of on-time payments and lower card usage to see a clear rise. Fixing a report error can be faster once the lender corrects it.
Does closing a credit card improve my score?
Usually not. It can lower your total limit and raise the share you use, which may pull the score down.
Is the minimum due enough to protect my score?
Paying the minimum on time avoids a late mark, but interest is charged on the rest and the balance can grow. Paying in full is best.
This is general information to help you compare, not financial advice. Fees and features change, so check the bank’s own terms before you apply. Card figures are from SkyloFin’s card pages; card data sourced via CardAdvisor.in.
Updated 18 Oct 2026.
