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How Indian Credit Bureaus Build And Update Your Profile
Credit bureaus keep records about how people borrow and repay money.
Lenders send them information about loans and credit cards.
The bureaus use that information to make a credit report.
A credit score is a number that summarises the report.
Credit bureaus do not decide whether a person receives a loan; lenders make that decision.
Since January 2025, lenders generally send updates every two weeks.
People should check their reports for mistakes or accounts they do not recognise.
They can ask the lender or bureau to correct incorrect information.
Each credit information company may calculate a different score.
People can check their score online and receive one free full report from each company each calendar year, subject to the applicable process.
Credit Information Companies collect loan, credit-card, repayment, balance and enquiry data reported by lenders.
India has four RBI-recognised credit bureaus: TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark.
From January 1, 2025, credit information is generally updated fortnightly, using the 15th and last day of each month as reference dates.
A credit report displays borrowing history, while a credit score summarises that information using each bureau’s own methodology.
Consumers can review reports for overdue-payment errors, incorrect balances, unknown accounts or unfamiliar enquiries and request corrections.
- Who
- Credit institutions, credit information companies, lenders and borrowers in India.
- What
- Credit bureaus collect and update borrowing data to create credit reports and scores.
- Where
- India, through RBI’s credit-reporting framework and authorised online services.
- When
- Credit information has generally been updated fortnightly since January 1, 2025; individuals may obtain one free full report from each credit information company per calendar year.
- Why
- The information helps lenders assess applications and allows borrowers to identify and correct inaccuracies in their credit records.
Key facts
- Recognised companies
- India has four RBI-recognised Credit Information Companies: TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark.
- Reported information
- Reports may include loans, credit cards, repayments, outstanding balances, account status and credit enquiries.
- Update frequency
- From January 1, 2025, credit information is updated fortnightly, with reference dates on the 15th and the last day of the month, or more frequently if agreed.
- Submission deadline
- Credit institutions must submit information within seven calendar days of the relevant reporting date.
- Score methodology
- RBI does not prescribe one scoring methodology; each credit information company may use its own proprietary model.
- Error correction
- Borrowers can request corrections from the relevant credit information company and/or reporting credit institution.
- Free annual access
- Each credit information company must provide one free full credit report, including the score, once per calendar year, subject to the applicable process.
Sources
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