How To Read A CIBIL™ Report

CIBIL™ Score is a 3-digit numeric value that expresses your creditworthiness. It is determined based on your credit history, derived from data found in the 'Accounts' and 'Requests' parts of your CIBIL™ report. It generally ranges from 300 to 900. The closer your score is to 900, the higher the chances of your loan application being accepted.

There are four authorized credit bureaus in India; CIBIL™, Equifax, CRIF High Mark and Experian. An individual can get one free credit report in a year directly from the credit bureaus. You may choose any one of the 4 credit bureaus to request a credit report along with your credit score.

A credit report contains several key information. At first sight, it may look very technical for your eyes. However, once you know the various terms in the report, it is easy to decipher.

Additional Reading: All That You Need To Know About Your CIBIL™ Credit Score And Credit Information Report

Here are the most common fields you will find on a CIBIL™ report: 

• CIBIL™ Score
• Date of birth
• Current and previous address
• Email ID
• Telephone number
• PAN number
• Driver’s license number
• Passport number
• Type of employment
• Annual income
• No. of enquiries made on your credit score

It is important to ensure that all this information is correct so that there are no administrative errors when applying for a loan. It's also a good habit to check your credit report once every six months. If there are any errors, it is vital to coordinate with the lender and the credit bureau to resolve them immediately so that your application for a loan is not affected.

Next, you'll find information on each loan you've ever been given. The name of all your lenders, loan type (personal loan, credit card, auto loan, etc.), date of payment of the loan, the total amount of loan, unpaid current loan, interest rate cost, the term of the loan, monthly EMI amount, the current status of the loan, history of your repayment activity, etc. will be shown in the report. If applicable, late payments are reported as either DPD or Days Past Due.

Additional Reading: How Can I Check My CIBIL™ Credit Score

All unpaid repayments will be shown and if there is any negative condition, the status area will reflect – e.g. if the loan is in the status of WRITE-OFF, previously SETTLED, if legal action has been filed, or if the loan is deemed Existing, all repayments will be paid on time. This is crucial information in the credit score calculation and you should make sure it is always and fully correct.

Finally, the credit report lists the number of instances you apply for a loan or credit card – a credit enquiry. Excessive credit inquiries may affect your credit scoring without the corresponding approved loan. Excessive credit inquiries may affect your credit scoring without the corresponding approved loan. This means that the client is 'hungry for credit' which will adversely affect the credit.

How do I read my CIBIL™ report?

Once you have registered on the CIBIL™ website, you can go to the My Account section and download your latest myCIBIL™ credit report along with your CIBIL™ score.

Your CIBIL™ report includes comprehensive credit details such as home loans, car loan, credit cards, personal loans, overdraft facilities. The report contains detailed credit information. Some of the primary elements of the CIBIL™ report are given below.

CIBIL™ Score

Your CIBIL™ ranking, determined on the basis of your credit conduct as expressed in your CIR's 'Accounts' and 'Enquiries' portion, ranges from 300-900. In general, a score above 700 is deemed healthy.

Personal Details

Includes your name, birth date, gender and identification numbers such as PAN, passport number, voter ID number

Contact Details 

This section contains addresses and telephone numbers; it can include up to 4 addresses.

Employment History

Details of monthly or annual income, as reported by Members (Banks and Financial institutions).

Account Details

This segment includes the credit facility information, including the name of lenders, type of credit facility (home, vehicle, medical, overdraft, etc.), account numbers, ownership details, loan start date, last payment date, loan amount, current outstanding and regular (up to 3-year) payment history.

Enquiry Details

A bank or financial institution accesses your credit score and credit report when you apply for a loan or credit card. These enquiries are noted in your credit report and you can also find the same under the account history tab.

Read A CIBIL™ Report FAQs