Short answer: A credit report is the record a credit bureau keeps of every loan and credit card in your name and how you repaid them. India has four RBI-regulated bureaus: TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark. Each gives you one free full report a year, scores run from 300 to 900, and every regulated lender must report to all four.
Last updated: 12 October 2026. General information, not financial advice. Your lender’s Key Fact Statement (KFS) and loan agreement decide your actual terms.
The four credit bureaus compared
| Bureau | Group | Score range | Known for | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TransUnion CIBIL | TransUnion | 300–900 | Oldest and most widely recognised | CIBIL report |
| Experian | Experian | 300–900 | Widely used by fintech apps | Experian report |
| Equifax | Equifax | 300–900 | Banks, NBFCs and microfinance | Equifax report |
| CRIF High Mark | CRIF | 300–900 | Microfinance and small loans | CRIF High Mark report |
What every credit report contains
| Section | What it shows | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Personal details | Name, date of birth, PAN, addresses, phone numbers | Spellings, old addresses, a PAN that is not yours |
| Accounts | Every loan and card: lender, type, amount, balance, status | Loans you never took; closed loans still shown as active |
| Payment history | Month-by-month record of on-time or late payments (DPD) | Late marks you dispute; months marked XXX (not reported) |
| Enquiries | Lenders who pulled your report when you applied | Enquiries you did not authorise |
| Score | A number from 300 to 900 summarising the above | Changes after you fix errors |
What lenders look at
- Your score, as a quick summary. See what different scores can get.
- Recent late payments (DPD), which matter more than old ones.
- Account status: Closed is good; Settled and Written-off are warning signs. See settled vs closed.
- How much of your card limits you use; below about 30% is healthier.
- Recent enquiries; many applications in a short time look like distress.
Your rights as a borrower
- One free full report a year from each bureau (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax and CRIF High Mark).
- Checking your own report does not lower your score. It is a soft enquiry.
- Lenders report at least every fortnight, so payments and corrections show faster than before.
- Alerts: bureaus must alert you by SMS or email when your report is accessed, and lenders must tell you when they report a default.
- Disputes: bureaus must resolve complaints within 30 days, and lenders must update corrected data within 21 days. If either misses the deadline, you are entitled to compensation of ₹100 a day.
Common problems and what to do
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| A loan you never took | Dispute it with the bureau and write to the lender. If an app loan, see an unknown lender on your report. |
| A closed loan shown as active | Send the closure letter or NOC with a dispute. |
| Late payment you believe is wrong | Dispute with payment receipts or bank statements. |
| Settled account | Ask the lender whether paying the balance can change it to Closed. See settled vs closed. |
| Low score from old defaults | Follow our score improvement plan. |
Check your report, then see which loan options fit your profile.
Credit report guides: Credit reports explained · CIBIL · Experian · Equifax · CRIF High Mark · DPD codes · Settled vs closed · Raise a dispute · Improve your score
Frequently asked questions
Which credit bureau is best in India?
None is “best”. Lenders choose which to check, and many check more than one. Check all four once a year using your free reports, because errors can appear in one and not the others.
Why are my scores different at each bureau?
Each uses its own scoring model and may receive updates on different days. Small gaps are normal; a large gap usually means a missing account or an error.
How often should I check my credit report?
At least once a year with each bureau, and before applying for any large loan.
Can a credit bureau remove a correct negative entry?
No. Bureaus correct errors, not accurate history. Accurate late payments stay; their effect fades as you build a clean record.
Disclosure: FundsTiger (Gatimaan Finance Advisors Pvt. Ltd.) is a loan marketplace and lending service provider for RBI-regulated lenders. Aparampaar Finance Pvt. Ltd. (Omozing), one of those lenders, is a related party of FundsTiger. This article is general information, not financial advice. Read your loan agreement and KFS before you decide.