CIBIL Score and Credit Score: How the Two Differ

CIBIL Score and Credit Score: How the Two Differ

A credit score is the general name for a number that shows how you repay credit. A CIBIL score is the credit score that one bureau, TransUnion CIBIL, gives you.
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In summary

Every CIBIL score is a credit score, but not every credit score is a CIBIL score. India has 4 credit bureaus, each licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI): TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark. Each gives a score from 300 to 900, using its own model. So your numbers can differ, for example 734 with one bureau and 751 with another. Lenders choose which bureau to check. Check each bureau's free report once a year.


  • CIBIL is one of 4 bureaus. 
  • All 4 use a 300 to 900 scale. 
  • Scores can differ between bureaus. 
  • Check all 4 reports each year. 

Checking your loan options? Check your loan offer with your phone number and a one-time password (OTP) → apply online → funds may be credited within 24 hours* of approval, subject to verification.

What is a credit score?

A credit score, such as your CIBIL score, is a 3-digit number that sums up your credit report. The report lists your loans and cards, how much you owe and whether you pay on time. The score turns that record into one number, so a lender can judge risk in one look.


In India, credit bureaus calculate these scores, including the CIBIL score. The RBI licenses 4 of them, called credit information companies:

  • TransUnion CIBIL: Its score is called the CIBIL score. 
  • Experian: Its score is called the Experian credit score. 
  • Equifax: Its score is called the Equifax credit score. 
  • CRIF High Mark: Its score is called the CRIF High Mark credit score. 

Each bureau uses a 300 to 900 scale. A higher number shows a stronger record.

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What is a CIBIL score?

A CIBIL score is the credit score from TransUnion CIBIL. It is the most widely known score in India, because CIBIL was the first bureau to start work here. People use "CIBIL score" to mean any credit score, much as people use a brand name for a whole product type.


So the CIBIL score and your credit score are not 2 different things. The CIBIL score is one bureau's version of your credit score.

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Why are your scores different?

The same person can get a different score from each bureau. The table shows the main reasons.


ReasonWhat it means for your score
Scoring modelEach bureau builds its own formula and weights
Reporting datesA lender may send data to each bureau on different days
Data heldOne bureau may hold an account another does not, or hold an old balance
ErrorsA wrong entry may sit on one report but not the others

Last updated: 27th October, 2026


A small gap, such as 15 or 20 points, is normal. A large gap, such as 80 points, can point to an error or a missing account on one report. Compare the reports side by side to find the cause.

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Which score do lenders check?

Each lender chooses which bureau or bureaus to use. Some check one, and some check more than one. Lenders send data to all 4 bureaus, so your record should look much the same on each report.


When you apply for a loan, the lender tells you if a low score was a reason for its decision. You can then get that bureau's report and check it. Bajaj Finance, for example, states a minimum CIBIL score of 650 for its Personal Loan.

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How do you check and match your reports?

You can get one free full credit report a year from each of the 4 bureaus. Follow these steps to check your CIBIL score and the other 3:

  • First, get all 4 reports: Request your free annual report on each bureau's website, using your Permanent Account Number (PAN) and mobile number. 
  • Second, list your accounts: Write down every loan and card on each report, with its status and balance. 
  • Third, compare the lists: Look for an account on one report that is missing or different on another. 
  • Fourth, dispute any error: Raise a dispute with the bureau that shows the wrong entry. The bureau sends it to the lender to check. 

Spread the 4 free reports across the year. For example, check your CIBIL score in January and another bureau every 3 months after, so you see your record 4 times a year at no cost.


Shalini's two scores

Shalini, 29, is a salaried physiotherapist in Jaipur. Her monthly salary is Rs. 44,000. Her score with CIBIL was 734, while another bureau showed 751. She compared the reports and found that one lender had not yet updated a closed card on her CIBIL report. She asked the lender to update it, so her CIBIL score would reflect the closed card. She then took Rs. 1,25,000 for clinic equipment and a short course at an illustrative 16.25% per annum. She looked at her equated monthly instalment (EMI) for 1 year and for 18 months.


EMI = P × R × (1 + R)^N ÷ [(1 + R)^N − 1]. Here P = Rs. 1,25,000, R = 16.25 ÷ 1,200 and N = months.


TenureMonthly EMI (Rs.)Total interest (Rs.)EMI as share of salary (%)
12 months (1 year)11,35611,27425.8
18 months (1.5 years)7,87216,69317.9

Last updated: 27th October, 2026


An 18-month tenure frees Rs. 3,484 a month, for Rs. 5,419 of extra interest. The processing fee is capped at Rs. 5,162 here. Shalini chose 18 months, as the 12-month EMI took over a quarter of her salary.


What can delay approval: a CIBIL score below 650 or existing EMIs that take up a large share of your income. Names or addresses that do not match across documents, and more than one loan application in the same month, can also slow it down.


Know your CIBIL score? With a Bajaj Finance Personal Loan, you can borrow Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 75 lakh, subject to eligibility. Check your loan offer with your phone number and a one-time password (OTP) → apply online → funds may be credited within 24 hours* of approval, subject to verification.

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How do you improve every score at once?

All 4 bureaus get data from the same lenders. So the same habits raise every score:

  • Pay every bill on time: Late payments carry the most weight with every bureau. 
  • Keep card balances low: Use a small share of each card's limit, and pay in full. 
  • Apply for credit only when you need it: Each application adds a hard enquiry. 
  • Fix errors on each report: A mistake on one report can lower only that bureau's score. 
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Can you get a personal loan with your score?

Bajaj Finance checks your CIBIL score when you apply. For its Personal Loan, Bajaj Finance looks for a score of 650 or higher. Loan amounts range from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 75 lakh, with 12 months to 108 months to repay. Applicants must be Indian nationals aged 21 years to 80 years. Check your score and your report before you apply, so there are no surprises.

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Key offerings: 3 loan types

  • Flexi Hybrid Loan
  • Flexi Dropline Loan
  • Term Loan

  • Withdraw and prepay – no extra charges
    You can withdraw from your limit and prepay as many times as you want, without extra charges.

  • Instalment pattern
    You can pay interest-only EMIs for up to 36 months, after which, the EMI will consist of both, the principal and the interest. EMI is applicable only on the withdrawn amount.

  • Flexi facility charges
    Flexi facility charges applicable based on your loan amount.

  • Withdraw and prepay – no extra charges
    You can withdraw from your limit and prepay as many times as you want, without extra charges.

  • Instalment pattern
    Fixed EMIs that cover both the principal and interest on the loan amount you withdraw.

  • Flexi facility charges
    Flexi facility charges applicable based on your loan amount.

  • Amount disbursed in one go
    The entire loan amount is disbursed at the start.

  • Instalment pattern
    Fixed EMIs that cover both the principal and interest.

  • Flexi facility charges
    No Flexi facility charges.

Personal loan interest rate and applicable charges

Type of fee

Applicable charges

Rate of interest per annum

10% to 30.5% p.a.

Processing fees

Up to 4.13% of the loan amount (inclusive of applicable taxes).

Flexi Facility Charge

Term Loan – Not applicable

Flexi Loans –Up To Rs 1,999 To Up To Rs 18,999/- (Inclusive Of Applicable Taxes)

Will be deducted upfront from loan amount.

Bounce charges

Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,200/- per bounce

“Bounce charges” shall mean charges for (i) dishonor of any payment instrument; or (ii) non-payment of instalment (s) on their respective due dates due to dishonor of payment mandate or non-registration of the payment mandate or any other reason.

Part-prepayment charges

Full Pre-payment:

  • Term Loan: Up to 4.72% (Inclusive of applicable taxes) on the outstanding loan amount as on the date of full pre-payment

  • Flexi Term (Dropline) Loan: Up to 4.72% (Inclusive of applicable taxes) on the outstanding loan amount, as on the date of full prepayment.

  • Flexi Hybrid Term Loan: Up to 4.72% (Inclusive of applicable taxes) on the outstanding loan amount, as on the date of full prepayment.

Part Pre-payment

  • Up to 4.72% (Inclusive of applicable taxes) of the principal amount of Loan prepaid on the date of such part Pre-Payment.

  • Not Applicable for Flexi Term (Dropline) Loan and Flexi Hybrid Term Loan.

Penal charge

Delay in payment of instalment(s) shall attract Penal Charge at the rate of up to 36% per annum per instalment from the respective due date until the date of receipt of the full instalment(s) amount.

Stamp duty (as per respective state)

Payable as per state laws and deducted upfront from loan amount.

Annual maintenance charges

Term Loan: Not applicable

Flexi Term (Dropline) Loan:

Up to 0.295% (Inclusive of applicable taxes) of the Dropline limit (as per the repayment schedule) on the date of levy of such charges.


Flexi Hybrid Term Loan:

Up to 0.472% (Inclusive Of Applicable Taxes) Of The Dropline Limit During Initial Tenure. Up to 0.295% (Inclusive Of Applicable Taxes) Of Dropline Limit During Subsequent Tenure

Credit guarantee scheme feeUp to 1.18% p.a. (pro-rated daily till 31st March) (inclusive of all applicable taxes) of the loan amount
Credit guarantee scheme renewal feeUp to 1.18% p.a. (inclusive of all applicable taxes) on the outstanding loan amount as on April 01 of the subsequent Financial Year.
*Renewal Fee to be collected only for 3 subsequent financial years.
 
**If the Remaining Tenure is less than 12 months, the CG Fee in subsequent years shall be charged prorated.

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Frequently asked questions

The basics

Checking and fixing

Is a CIBIL score the same as a credit score?

It is one type of credit score. It comes from TransUnion CIBIL, one of the 4 credit bureaus licensed by the RBI. The other 3 are Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark. Each gives its own credit score on a 300 to 900 scale. People say "CIBIL score" when they mean any credit score.

None is more important by default. The score that matters is the one your lender checks, and each lender chooses its own bureau. The CIBIL score is widely used by lenders in India. As all 4 bureaus get data from the same lenders, the safest plan is to keep your record clean on every report.

Each of the 4 credit bureaus gives you one free full credit report a year. Visit each bureau's website, enter your PAN and mobile number, and verify your identity. Some sites show the score with the report. Check one bureau every 3 months to see your record 4 times a year without paying.

Each bureau uses its own model, and lenders may report to each on different days. A recent payment may show on one report and not yet on another. A larger gap can mean an error, such as a closed loan still shown as open. Compare the reports and raise a dispute with the bureau that shows the wrong entry.

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