What each score band realistically gets you
| Score band | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 750 and above | Best rates and limits; pre-approved offers common. |
| 700 to 749 | Usually approved, with a rate premium of about one to three percentage points. |
| 650 to 699 | Banks become selective; some NBFCs approve, often smaller amounts at higher rates and with more documents. |
| Below 650 | Most mainstream lenders decline. Secured loans, a co-applicant or score repair are the realistic routes. |
| No score (new to credit) | Not the same as a low score. Many lenders approve small loans for new-to-credit salaried applicants. |
General market practice; each lender sets its own cut-offs.
Find out why your score is low
The number matters less than what caused it. Download your free credit report from a bureau and look for the cause: an EMI or card payment more than 30 days overdue, a loan marked “settled” or “written off”, very high credit card utilisation, several loan applications in a short period, or an error, such as a loan you never took or one shown open after you closed it. Errors can be disputed online with the bureau and corrected; lenders must respond within the timelines the RBI sets for credit information companies.
“Settled” deserves special attention. It means the lender accepted less than the full dues, and future lenders read it as a loss. Paying the remaining amount and asking the lender to update the status to “closed” often improves your chances significantly.
Your realistic options now
Secured loans. A gold loan or a loan against a fixed deposit relies on the collateral rather than your score, and is usually cheaper than any unsecured option open to you. Repaid on time, it also helps rebuild your history.
A co-applicant. A spouse or parent with a good score and income can make an application viable. They become fully liable, and the loan appears on their report too.
Your salary bank. The bank that sees your salary may approve a smaller amount despite the score.
NBFCs. Some lend to the 650 to 699 band at higher rates. Compare the APR carefully; a loan you struggle to repay will push the score lower still.
Warning signs of loan scams
People with low scores are targeted by fraudsters. Walk away from anyone who guarantees approval “without CIBIL check”, asks for a processing, insurance or GST fee before disbursal, sends you a loan link from an unknown number, or uses an app that is not linked to an RBI-regulated lender. You can check digital lending apps in the RBI’s Digital Lending Apps directory, and report fraud on the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
How to repair your score
- Clear overdue amounts first, and get written confirmation.
- Convert "settled" accounts to "closed" by paying the balance, if you can.
- Bring card utilisation below 30 percent of the limit and pay in full each month.
- Pay every EMI and card bill on time; set auto-debits a few days after salary day.
- Stop applying for new credit for three to six months.
- Dispute errors on your report online with the bureau.
Most people see a meaningful improvement in three to six months of clean behaviour. Then check the eligibility criteria again before applying.
With a low CIBIL score: frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with a CIBIL score of 600?
From mainstream banks, it is unlikely. A few NBFCs may offer a small amount at a high rate. Secured options, such as a gold loan or a loan against a fixed deposit, or a co-applicant with a good score, are more realistic and usually cheaper.
What is the minimum CIBIL score for a personal loan?
Most banks look for about 700 or more, and offer their best rates from 750. Some NBFCs accept 650 to 699 with conditions. There is no single rule; each lender sets its own cut-off.
Is no CIBIL score the same as a low score?
No. A new-to-credit applicant with no history is treated differently from one with a poor record. Many lenders approve small loans for new-to-credit salaried borrowers, often through their salary bank.
How fast can I improve my CIBIL score?
Clearing overdues, cutting card utilisation and paying on time typically shows results within three to six months, though serious events such as write-offs take longer to fade. Correcting an error can improve the score as soon as the bureau updates the record.
Does checking my own score lower it?
No. Checking your own report is a soft enquiry and does not affect the score. Lender enquiries made when you apply for credit are hard enquiries, and many of them in a short period do lower it.
Are "no CIBIL check" loans safe?
Treat them with great caution. Regulated lenders check credit reports. Offers that skip it, especially with upfront fees or from unverified apps, are often scams or predatory loans. Verify the lender with the RBI before sharing any data.
Will a settled loan stop me from getting a new loan?
It makes approval much harder, because lenders read "settled" as a past loss. Paying the remaining dues and getting the status changed to "closed" improves your chances; then build a few months of clean repayment history.
Can a co-applicant help if my score is low?
Yes. A co-applicant with good credit and income can make the loan viable, and some lenders weigh the stronger profile. The co-applicant is fully responsible for repayment and the loan appears on their credit report.
Official sources and further reading
These guides are written from Reserve Bank of India rules and official scheme pages. Rules, rates and scheme terms change, so check the current position on these sites and in your lender's Key Fact Statement before you apply.
- RBI: Key Facts Statement (KFS) for loans and advances. The Reserve Bank of India notification that tells lenders to give every borrower a plain-language statement of the full cost of a loan.
- RBI Complaint Management System. Where to take a complaint against a bank, NBFC or other regulated lender if the lender does not resolve it.
- RBI (Pre-payment Charges on Loans) Directions, 2025. Bars pre-payment charges on floating-rate loans taken by individuals for non-business purposes, for loans sanctioned or renewed from 1 January 2026.
- Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021. The single complaint scheme for customers of banks, NBFCs and other RBI-regulated lenders.
- RBI: Free Annual Credit Report to Individuals. Credit bureaus must give you one free full credit report with score every calendar year.
- RBI Financial Education. Consumer guidance from the Reserve Bank of India on borrowing, fraud and your rights as a customer.
Edited by Hemant Kumar. Rates on this site are indicative ranges, not offers.
This page is general information, not personalised financial advice and not an offer. Rates, fees and eligibility shown are indicative ranges based on general market practice in India and vary by lender and applicant. Confirm the exact figures in the lender's Key Fact Statement and sanction letter before you sign.