CIBIL score of around 600 places a borrower in a cautious to high-risk category for most Indian banks and NBFCs. While credit may still be available, approvals usually come with higher interest rates, stricter conditions, lower loan amounts, or outright rejection.
In contrast, a CIBIL score of 750 and above reflects strong repayment discipline, predictable financial behaviour, and low default risk. This is the range where borrowers typically receive faster approvals, better terms, and lower interest rates.
If you are new to credit concepts, it is important to first understand how a CIBIL score works in Indian banks and NBFCs, because the improvement process is entirely based on how lenders interpret borrower behavior.
👉 What is CIBIL Score and How It Works in Indian Banks and NBFCs
Improving a CIBIL score from 600 to 750 is not about shortcuts or hacks. Banks reward consistent, disciplined behaviour over time. This article explains—clearly and practically—what actually works in India and how borrowers can realistically move from 600 to 750.
Table of Contents
Why Is Your CIBIL Score Around 600?
Before improvement begins, banks first look at why the score is low. A 600-level score usually reflects patterns, not one-time mistakes.
Common reasons include:
- Delayed or missed EMI and credit card payments
- High credit card usage compared to limits
- Frequent loan or credit card applications
- Short or unstable credit history
- Past settlements, write-offs, or restructuring
Unless these root causes are corrected, score improvement will remain limited or temporary . Check your cibil score now by clicking here.
Step 1: Make Repayment Discipline Absolute
From a banker’s perspective, repayment history carries the highest weight in credit assessment.
What banks expect:
- Every EMI paid on or before the due date
- Credit card bills paid in full, not just minimum due
- Zero tolerance for missed payments—even small ones
Banker insight:
Banks usually look for 6–12 months of clean repayment behavior before upgrading a borrower’s risk category.
Action:
Enable auto-debit for all EMIs and credit cards to eliminate human error.
Step 2: Reduce Credit Card Usage (This Has the Fastest Impact)
High credit utilisation is one of the biggest reasons scores stay stuck near 600.
Safe utilisation (bank view):
- Below 30% → Healthy
- 30–50% → Stress indicator
- Above 50% → High-risk behaviour
Example:
If your total card limit is ₹1,00,000 and usage stays near ₹70,000, score improvement will be slow—even with timely payments.
What works:
- Pay card balances before the statement date
- Avoid maxing out cards
- Reduce spending instead of applying for new cards
Step 3: Pause New Loan and Credit Card Applications
Every new application triggers a hard enquiry. Multiple enquiries in a short period signal financial stress.
Best practice:
- Avoid new applications for 3–6 months
- Focus on stabilising existing credit
A quiet credit report signals to banks that the borrower is recovering, not chasing credit.
To understand how enquiries affect approval decisions, read
👉 How Banks Decide Loan Eligibility in India
Step 4: Do Not Close Old Credit Accounts Hastily
Length of credit history matters.
Closing old accounts:
- Reduces average credit age
- Removes positive repayment records
Bank preference:
- Older accounts with clean history
- Even if usage is minimal
If an old card has no annual fee, keep it active with small, occasional transactions.
Step 5: Improve Credit Mix—Naturally
Banks prefer borrowers who can handle both secured and unsecured credit responsibly.
Healthy mix:
- One secured loan (home/vehicle)
- One revolving credit line (credit card)
Important:
Never take a loan only to “improve your score.” Forced borrowing often backfires.
Step 6: Check Your Credit Report for Errors
Credit reports can contain:
- Incorrect overdue amounts
- Closed loans marked active
- Wrong delay reporting
Such errors can unfairly reduce scores.
Action:
- Review your credit report periodically
- Raise disputes for genuine errors
- Follow up until corrections reflect
Accuracy is critical because banks rely heavily on reported data.
Step 7: Be Consistent, Not Aggressive
Banks trust stability over speed.
Realistic improvement timeline:
- 2–3 months: Small movement
- 6 months: Clear improvement
- 9–12 months: Potential move toward 740–760
Trying to rush—by over-borrowing or repeated restructuring—usually damages trust.
Step 8: Avoid Practices That Kill Credit Trust
Strictly avoid:
- Paying only minimum credit card dues repeatedly
- Loan settlements instead of full repayment
- Multiple short-term or instant loans
- Frequent lender switching
From a banker’s perspective, settlements permanently reduce confidence, even if the numeric score improves later.
To understand why this hurts approvals, read
👉 Why Banks Reject Loan Applications Even with a Good CIBIL Score.
Step 9: Think Like a Banker
Banks reward borrowers who show:
- Predictable income behaviour
- Conservative use of unsecured credit
- Stable, stress-resistant repayment patterns
If your financial behaviour reduces future default risk, your CIBIL score will follow naturally.
Credit improvement is about building trust, not gaming systems.
FAQs
1.How long does it take to improve CIBIL score from 600 to 750?
For most borrowers, it takes 6 to 12 months of disciplined repayment, low credit utilisation, and no fresh credit stress. Faster improvement is rare and usually temporary.
2. Can I improve my CIBIL score without taking a new loan?
Yes. In fact, avoiding new loans while repairing existing credit often leads to faster and more stable improvement.
3. Does checking my CIBIL score reduce it?
No. Checking your own score is a soft enquiry and has no negative impact on your CIBIL score.
4. Is paying only the minimum credit card due enough?
No. Paying only the minimum avoids default but signals financial dependence on credit, which slows score improvement.
5. Should I close all credit cards to improve my score?
No. Closing old cards can reduce credit age and harm the score. Keeping old, well-managed cards active is better.
6. Will settling a loan help improve my CIBIL score?
Settlements close dues but damage lender trust. Banks view settled accounts as high-risk even if the score later improves.
7. How many credit cards are safe to have?
There is no fixed number. Banks care more about usage and repayment discipline than the number of cards.
8. Can salary increase alone improve CIBIL score?
No. Salary helps repayment capacity, but CIBIL score improves only through credit behaviour, not income alone.
9. Does prepaying a loan improve CIBIL score?
Prepayment helps reduce debt but does not automatically boost score unless repayment history and utilisation also improve.
10. What is the single biggest factor to move from 600 to 750?
Consistent on-time payments combined with low credit utilisation over several months. There is no substitute for this.
Conclusion
Improving your CIBIL score from 600 to 750 is fully achievable for most Indian borrowers, provided they focus on discipline, patience, and consistency. There are no shortcuts banks trust, and no hacks that replace responsible credit behaviour.
Borrow conservatively, repay on time, keep credit usage low, and allow your credit profile to mature.
That is how banks define reliability — and that is how strong credit profiles are built.