How to Increase CIBIL Score: 5 Smart Ways to Use Your Credit Card

The first and most important rule for anyone learning how to increase CIBIL score is to never miss a payment deadline. Your payment history accounts for a huge chunk of your credit profile, and even a single late payment can pull your numbers down significantly. Setting up an auto-pay feature or reminders for your credit card bills ensures that you are always in the good books of the credit bureaus. By consistently paying the full amount rather than just the minimum due, you demonstrate high financial discipline, which is a key factor in how to increase CIBIL score effectively.
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Watch Your Credit Utilization Ratio

A common mistake people make when figuring out how to increase CIBIL score is exhausting their entire credit limit every month. To keep your score healthy, you should aim to use only about 30 percent of your available credit limit. For example, if your limit is ₹1 lakh, try not to spend more than ₹30,000. Lenders view high utilization as a sign of "credit hunger," which can make you look risky. Keeping your balances low across all cards is a proven method for how to increase CIBIL score without needing to earn more money.


Don't Close Your Old Credit Accounts

If you are looking into how to increase CIBIL score, you might be tempted to close an old card you no longer use. However, the age of your credit history matters a lot. A longer history provides more data to lenders, proving that you have been managing credit for a long time. Keeping your oldest credit card active, even if you only use it for small occasional purchases, helps maintain a longer average credit age. This simple trick is a cornerstone of how to increase CIBIL score because it adds depth and stability to your financial profile.


Avoid Frequent Credit Inquiries

Every time you apply for a new credit card or a loan, the lender performs a "hard inquiry" on your report. If you make too many applications in a short period, it can negatively impact your efforts regarding how to increase CIBIL score. Each hard inquiry can shave off a few points from your total. Instead of applying everywhere at once, research the best options and apply only when necessary. Being selective about new credit is a subtle but vital part of the strategy for how to increase CIBIL score while maintaining a clean record.

Monitor Your Credit Report for Errors

Sometimes, the reason your numbers are low has nothing to do with your spending habits. Part of knowing how to increase CIBIL score involves regular check-ups on your credit report to spot inaccuracies. Sometimes a bank might fail to report a closed loan, or there could be a clerical error in your personal details. If you find a mistake, you can raise a dispute with CIBIL to get it corrected. Keeping your report error-free is one of the fastest ways to see an improvement as you continue your journey of how to increase CIBIL score.


As the experts often say, "A good credit score is a marathon, not a sprint." You cannot expect your numbers to jump overnight, but by following these five easy methods, you will see a steady rise. Understanding how to increase CIBIL score is about building healthy habits that last a lifetime. By treating your credit card as a financial asset rather than just a way to shop, you pave the way for a future where banks are eager to lend to you at the best possible terms.