Keeping an eye on your credit score is an easy and important way to understand your financial health.

By checking your score regularly and following good financial habits, you can build a strong credit history. This can help you get approved for loans, credit cards, and secure lower interest rates.

Since January 2017, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has required all four licensed credit bureaus to provide one free credit report and score every year to each individual.

This rule promotes transparency and helps people keep track of their credit status and make better financial choices.

Who Provides Credit Scores in India?

India has four main credit bureaus licensed by the RBI:

TransUnion CIBIL

Experian

Equifax

CRIF High Mark

These agencies collect and analyze credit information. They generate credit scores and reports that help lenders decide whether to approve loans or credit cards.

What Is a CIBIL Score and Why Is It Important?

A CIBIL score is a three-digit number between 300 and 900, provided by the Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited.

It shows how reliable you are with credit. Lenders check this score before giving you a loan or credit card.

A score above 700 is considered good, and 900 is excellent. Checking your score regularly helps you stay informed, avoid financial risks, and improve your chances of getting loans on better terms.

How to Check Your CIBIL Score for Free: Step-by-Step Guide

You can check your CIBIL score online by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the official CIBIL website
Go to the site and click on “Get Your CIBIL Score.”

Step 2: Fill out your basic details
Enter your full name, contact number, and email address. Then click “Continue to Step 2.”

Step 3: Enter your PAN number carefully
Your PAN is needed to get your credit report. Double-check your entry to avoid mistakes.

Step 4: Answer a few questions about your credit
You’ll be asked about your loans and credit cards. These help in calculating your score.

Step 5: Skip paid options
You’ll see options for paid subscriptions. To get the free report, scroll down and select “No Thanks.” You’ll then receive a confirmation message and your account will be created.

Step 6: Verify your account
Check your email for a verification link and one-time password (OTP). Click the link, enter the OTP, and reset your password.

Step 7: Log in to your account
After logging in again, your details may auto-fill. If not, enter them manually. Add your contact number and click “Submit.”

Step 8: View your CIBIL score and report
Once you’re in the dashboard, you’ll see your CIBIL score. Download the report to view your full credit history.

Why You Should Check Your CIBIL Score Regularly

Checking your score once a year is helpful, but monthly checks are better. Banks and lenders update credit data regularly. By monitoring your score, you can:

Spot and fix errors in your credit report

Track how you’re repaying loans and credit cards

Identify things that may be hurting your credit, like missed payments or using too much credit

Tips to Keep a Good CIBIL Score

Pay on time: Always pay EMIs and credit card bills by the due date.

Use less credit: Try to use less than 30% of your total credit limit.

Don’t apply too often: Too many loan or credit applications may look risky to lenders.

Check for mistakes: Review your credit report and report any errors to CIBIL right away.

Members of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Protection Association have petitioned District Collector M.S.

Sangeetha to cancel a recent circular that requires checking the CIBIL credit report before granting farm loans through cooperative societies.

What the Circular Says

The new circular, issued by the State Registrar of Cooperative Societies, mandates that all farm loans, including those under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, must only be given after reviewing the applicant’s CIBIL credit report.

Farmers Say It Hurts Small and Marginal Farmers

C. Nethaji, representing the farmers’ group, said the move would seriously affect small and marginal farmers who already struggle to get loans from formal banking channels.

He explained that although the Tamil Nadu government estimates paddy farming costs at ₹76,000 per acre, cooperative banks only offer ₹36,000 as crop loans.

This shortfall forces many farmers to borrow from private lenders and middlemen, often at high interest rates.

CIBIL Check Could Harm Future Loan Access

Nethaji also warned that linking cooperative society loans to the CIBIL database could disqualify farmers from getting future loans from nationalised banks, based on their credit score.

No Rule in RBI Guidelines for CIBIL Check

Farmers pointed out that the Reserve Bank of India’s 2017 guidelines on Kisan Credit Cards do not mandate the use of CIBIL scores to determine loan eligibility.

They cited the example of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, who also opposed rejecting farm loans based on credit scores and urged Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin to withdraw the circular in the farmers’ interest.

MP Su. Venkatesan Opposes the Move

Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan also opposed the circular, questioning why loans from cooperative societies, meant to support small farmers, should rely on credit scores issued by CIBIL, a private company.

“These rules are unfair to small and marginal farmers whose survival depends on these small loans,” he said.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks 11 years as the head of the Indian government today.

To celebrate this milestone, the government has launched the slogan “11 Years of Seva”, highlighting the various welfare programs introduced during this time.

Let’s take a look at some major schemes and how they’ve benefited the people:

1. Ayushman Bharat: Over 9 Crore Free Treatments

The Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided over 9 crore free treatments to people in need. This number is more than twice the population of Canada, making healthcare accessible to millions.

2. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): ₹44 Lakh Crore Transferred

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has revolutionized the way welfare funds are delivered. So far, ₹44 lakh crore has been directly transferred to beneficiaries’ accounts.

As per a post by PIB on X, “Counting ₹1 lakh every minute would take 833 years to reach this amount.”

3. Mudra Loans: Over 52 Crore Loans for Small Businesses

The Mudra Yojana has empowered small businesses by disbursing over 52 crore loans, which is more than the combined population of the USA, Russia, and Australia.

This scheme supports self-employment and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

4. Tap Water for Over 15 Crore Homes

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, more than 15 crore households now have tap water connections, enough to serve the entire population of Russia. This ensures safe and accessible drinking water across the country.

5. Soil Health Cards: Issued to Over 25 Crore Farmers

To promote sustainable farming, over 25 crore soil health cards have been distributed — more than the population of Brazil.

These cards help farmers understand their soil conditions and use fertilizers more effectively.

6. Jan Dhan Yojana: 55 Crore+ Beneficiaries

The Jan Dhan Yojana, which promotes financial inclusion, has brought over 55 crore people into the banking system. That’s more than the entire population of the European Union.

7. Free Ration for 81 Crore People

Through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 81 crore people have received free ration, enough to feed the entire population of the US and South America combined.

8. 10 Crore+ Free LPG Connections

Under the Ujjwala Yojana, over 10 crore LPG connections have been given for free. This number equals the population of Canada, Spain, New Zealand, and Ireland combined.

The scheme has helped improve health and reduce indoor air pollution by providing access to clean cooking fuel.

9. ‘Make in India’: 63 Lakh Smartphones Made Weekly

India is becoming a major global smartphone manufacturing hub. Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, over 63 lakh phones are produced every week, showing strong growth in local manufacturing.

Leadership Acknowledged by BJP Chief

At a press conference, BJP President JP Nadda praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

He said, “The work done under the PM’s leadership in the past 11 years is extraordinary and should be written in golden letters,” referring to the government’s focus on good governance and poor welfare.