Learn about the different CIBIL Score ranges and their impact on your creditworthiness. Check how your score range impacts the approval of credit you apply for and the terms you are offered.
Your CIBIL score from TransUnion CIBIL is a three-digit number that reflects your creditworthiness. The CIBIL score ranges from 300 to 900, with higher scores indicating better credit health and reliability as a borrower.
Financial institutions like banks, NBFCs use this score to assess your capacity to repay credit and determine loan approvals based on it. Maintaining a good CIBIL score gives you access to credit more easily and secure better terms.
Factors such as repayment history, credit utilisation, duration of credit history, and experience with different types of credit facilities impact your score. While each credit information company uses different credit scoring models, the factors that impact your score remain more or less the same.
Understanding the best CIBIL score range can help you set a goal for yourself and take the necessary steps to get there with the right credit management habits.
The credit score range you fall in determines how easily and quickly your loan or credit card application is approved. The following table outlines the different score ranges, their meanings, and the likelihood of approval:
Score Range |
Meaning |
Approval Probability |
800 and above |
Excellent |
Very high |
740 to 799 |
Very Good |
High |
670 to 739 |
Good |
Average |
580 to 669 |
Fair |
Possible |
300 to 579 |
Poor |
Low |
Below 300 |
NA/NH |
Unlikely |
When you apply for a loan or a credit card, every bank or NBFC checks your credit score to assess the risk you pose. If your score is in the good credit score range, you are likely to get the most competitively priced loan or a premium credit card.
Here is a breakdown of the different score ranges and how they impact your application for a credit facility:
This is the best CIBIL score range, showing strong financial discipline and a history of timely payments. You are highly likely to get loan approvals with nominal interest rates and pocket-friendly terms.
This is a very good credit score range and indicates responsible credit management, sufficient experience with credit, and a long credit history. You can access most credit products at competitive rates with your desired loan amounts.
This is a good range to be in, but there is room for improvement. It means you may be creditworthy, but lenders are likely to check your profile in detail. The loan terms and interest rates you get may be slightly higher, but your application has a good chance of being approved.
This is a fair score that shows some risk. You may get higher interest rates, lower loan amounts, and shorter tenures. By utilising credit judiciously and lowering your existing debt, you can increase your score over time.
A score in this range signals high risk. Loan approvals are unlikely, and you may need to work on improving your credit habits. This may be due to not paying your bills on time or defaulting on loans or credit card payments.
This indicates no credit history or no recent credit activity. Lenders may require additional documents to assess your eligibility.
The minimum CIBIL score required for different credit facilities depends on the policies of the financial institution. However, for unsecured loans, lenders may offer favourable terms if your CIBIL range is above 750. Similarly, for secured loans like car loans, you may get access to pocket-friendly terms if your CIBIL score is above 700.
Here is how your score range significantly influences various aspects of the loan borrowing process.
Loan Approval: Scores in the higher range increase the likelihood of loan approval, while lower scores may lead to rejections
Interest Rates: Applicants with scores in the best ranges are often offered loans at lower interest rates, reducing the overall cost of borrowing
Loan Amounts: A strong score can qualify you for higher loan amounts, whereas a lower score may restrict the amount you can borrow
Enhancing your credit score takes consistent effort over time. Here are some key practices to help you build and maintain a strong credit profile:
Manage Credit Cards Wisely: Keeping your spending within 30–40% of your credit limit and pay bills in full and on time
Repay Promptly: Timely payments of loans and credit card bills help maintain a strong track record
Apply for Credit Sparingly: Limit credit applications to avoid frequent hard inquiries, which can lower your score
Build a Long Credit History: Maintain older credit accounts to lengthen your credit history and boost your score
Review Your Credit Report Regularly: Check your credit report for errors and dispute inaccuracies to keep your score high
A CIBIL score that indicates a higher risk of default falls between 300 and 579. It indicates poor creditworthiness, making it harder to get credit.
If your CIBIL score is in the poor range, lenders may see you as a high-risk borrower. This can lead to loan rejections or approvals with higher interest rates and stricter terms. To boost your score, you can:
Pay bills and EMIs on time
Keep your credit utilisation ratio low
Avoid multiple loan applications at one time
Check your credit report for errors and correct them
Gain experience across a mix of credit types
Yes, your CIBIL score may reduce over time for several reasons. Some of them include:
Missed credit card payments or loan EMIs
Higher credit utilisation
Frequent loan applications at one time
Defaults on loans or credit cards
High debt-to-income ratio
An acceptable CIBIL score will depend on the lender's criteria and the type of credit you are applying for. The best credit score range is 750 and above.
A CIBIL score of "NA" or "NH" is not necessarily negative. It typically indicates one of the following:
You are new to the credit system and do not have enough credit history to generate a score
There has been no credit activity in your name over the past few years
You only hold add-on credit cards and do not have any direct credit exposure
Yes, the CIBIL score range affects your loan eligibility. A score in the higher range shows lower risk, helping you get loans at better terms. A lower score raises repayment concerns. Lenders may reject the application or offer loans with higher interest rates and stricter conditions.
To get a CIBIL score of 800, follow these steps:
Manage credit cards wisely
Pay bills promptly
Limit credit utilisation
Apply for credit after careful consideration
Build a long credit history
Review your credit report regularly and raise disputes, if needed