Your credit report is the source of your credit score. Reading it carefully — and fixing errors — can prevent loan rejections and higher interest rates.
Key takeaways
- You can get a free full report from each bureau (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, CRIF High Mark) once a year.
- Check personal details, every account, payment history, and enquiries.
- Disputes can be raised online with the bureau; RBI rules require resolution within 30 days, with compensation for delays.
- Lenders now update bureaus at least every 15 days, so corrections can reflect faster.
Sections of a credit report
| Section | What to check |
|---|---|
| Personal information | Name, PAN, DOB, addresses, phone |
| Accounts | Lender, type, sanctioned amount, balance, status |
| Payment history | DPD (days past due) for each month |
| Enquiries | Lender, date, purpose |
Understanding account status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Current / Standard | Paid as agreed |
| DPD 30/60/90 | Payment overdue by that many days |
| Settled | Closed by paying less than full dues — negative |
| Written-off | Lender wrote off the loss — very negative |
| Closed | Fully repaid — positive |
How to dispute an error
- Log in to the bureau's portal and raise a dispute for the specific account or field.
- Upload proof (NOC, payment receipts, statements).
- The bureau verifies with the lender.
- Track the dispute ID; escalate to the lender's grievance officer and then the RBI Ombudsman if unresolved.
Bureaus must pay compensation of ₹100 per day if a complaint is not resolved within 30 days (combined timeline for bureau and lender).
Your action checklist
- Download your free credit report from at least one bureau every year.
- Keep card utilisation below 30% and never miss a due date.
- Space out credit applications by several months.
- Raise disputes for any incorrect account or enquiry with supporting documents.
- Keep your oldest card open and active with small, regular spends.
FAQs
How long do negative entries stay?
Payment history is shown for several years; recent behaviour matters most.
Can I pay someone to "clean" my report?
No — only incorrect data can be corrected through disputes.
