How to Increase CIBIL Score from 600 to 750 in India? – My Personal Experience

Let me be real with you—if your CIBIL score is around 600, I know that sinking feeling. I’ve been there. Sleepless nights wondering why that personal loan got rejected. That awkward silence on the phone when a bank executive says, “Sir, your score is a bit low.” Yeah, it hurts.

But the truth is, it’s fixable. And not just theoretically. I’ve done it. And I’ve helped dozens of others do it too. With consistency, smart decisions, and patience, you can push that number up to 750+—and unlock a world of financial freedom.

In this blog, I will show you how to increase your CIBIL score fast from 600 to 750 in India with practical and easy-to-follow steps. I’ll tell you what worked for me, what mistakes I made, and how you can avoid them. Lets first understand What is Cibil Score and how its being calculated –

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What is CIBIL Score, and Why It’s a Big Deal?

Your CIBIL score is a 3-digit number between 300 and 900. It reflects your credit behavior. Banks, NBFCs, and fintech platforms use this score to decide whether to give you a loan or credit card, how much interest to charge, and what kind of limit you should get.

Think of it like your financial reputation.

A score above 750 is generally considered “excellent.” Below 650, and you’re considered risky.

Let me tell you a real incident. In Delhi, a good friend of mine applied for a car loan with a CIBIL score of 590. He was confident because his income was decent. But three banks rejected his application. When he finally got approved, it was at an interest rate of 16.5%—compared to 9% that others were getting.

So, yes—your CIBIL score directly affects your bank balance.

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How is Your CIBIL Score Calculated?

It’s not magic; there’s a formula.

• Payment History – 35%

• Credit Utilization Ratio – 30%

• Credit Age – 15%

• Credit Mix & Hard Inquiries – 20%

Let’s break this down into everyday language:

• If you pay late, your score drops.

• If you’re using most of your credit card limit, that’s a red flag.

• If your credit history is short or full of unsecured loans, that’s not ideal.

• And every time you apply for a loan, it leaves a mark (called a “hard inquiry”).

My Personal Journey: How I Raised My CIBIL Score from 590 to 730

In 2019, I took a property loan of ₹20 lakh along with a close partner. Initially, we agreed on all conditions, but due to conflicts, we decided not to proceed with the property purchase. Since it was a secured loan, the bank seized the property after a few years and recovered the loan amount. This incident had a severe impact on my CIBIL score, dropping it from 720 to 590 due to unpaid EMIs and legal disputes.

Additionally, I had taken a top-up loan on the property, which also remained unpaid and was later recovered by the bank. My credit report was full of defaults, overdue payments, and legal issues. It was one of the toughest financial phases of my life.

However, I didn’t give up. I followed a disciplined financial approach and gradually rebuilt my CIBIL score from 590 to 730. Here’s what I did:

• Cleared all my outstanding dues – Even though it was difficult, I prioritized repaying my debts.

• Negotiated settlements with banks – I contacted my lenders and worked on clearing my defaults.

• Maintained timely payments – I ensured all my bills, EMIs, and credit card payments were made on time.

• Monitored my credit report regularly – I checked for errors and corrected them.

• Kept my credit utilization low – I used only 30% of my available credit limit.

This experience taught me valuable lessons about financial management, and now I’m here to share those insights with you!

Why Your Score Might Be Low (And It’s Okay)

Let me guess. You’ve made a few of these mistakes. So did I:

1. Missed or Late Payments

Even one missed EMI or a late credit card payment can hit your score hard. I once missed a ₹3,000 payment on a travel credit card by just 10 days—and boom, my score dropped by 40 points.

2. High Credit Utilization

If your card has a ₹1,00,000 limit and you’re constantly using ₹70,000–₹90,000, banks think you’re struggling financially.

3. Too Many Loan Applications

Every application is a red flag if done too frequently. Lenders see this as desperation.

4. Loan Defaults

If you’ve stopped paying a loan or ignored a credit card bill for months, that’s serious. You’ll need to fix this first.

Alright, Let’s Fix That Score: Step-by-Step Guide from 600 to 750

Step 1: Check Your CIBIL Report (for Free!)

Before fixing anything, let’s know what’s broken.

✅ You can check your score for free once a year on CIBIL, or use platforms like Paytm, BankBazaar, or Paisabazaar.

Look for:

• Wrong loans listed.

• Missed payments that you actually paid.

• Wrong name, PAN, or phone number.

🛠 If you spot errors, raise a dispute on CIBIL’s site. It takes 30 days max to correct.

Step 2: Clear Your Overdues

This step is tough—but non-negotiable.

Start by listing all your pending EMIs or overdue card bills. Pay them off one by one. Start with high-interest ones first (usually credit cards or personal loans).

A person I mentored in Hyderabad had 4 cards maxed out. We made a repayment plan: paid off one every two months, and his score jumped from 615 to 720 in 10 months.

Step 3: Make Every Future Payment On Time

This is the golden rule. No delays. No excuses.

👉 Use auto-debit features or set reminders.

Even paying minimum dues on time is better than skipping completely (though I strongly suggest paying in full whenever you can).

Step 4: Keep Your Credit Usage Below 30%

If your credit limit is ₹1,00,000, try to use only ₹25,000–₹30,000. Trust me, this one change alone helped me recover 50+ points.

Pro Tip: Ask your bank to increase your card limit (if you’re eligible), so your usage percentage drops even if your spend stays the same.

Step 5: Don’t Close Your Old Credit Cards

Big myth alert!

Many people think closing old cards helps. Nope. Older cards increase your credit history length—which helps your score. If there’s no annual fee, keep them open and use them occasionally.

Step 6: Diversify Your Credit Profile

Try to have a mix of:

• Secured loans: Home, auto, gold loans.

• Unsecured loans: Personal loan, credit card.

It shows banks that you can manage different types of credit responsibly.

Step 7: Avoid Applying for Multiple Loans in a Short Time

Spacing out applications is wise. Wait at least 6 months between new credit applications unless absolutely necessary.

Step 8: Get a Secured Credit Card

These are game changers if your score is low.

You open a Fixed Deposit (say ₹20,000–₹50,000), and the bank issues a credit card against that. Some good options:

• SBI SimplySAVE Secured Card

• ICICI Coral Secured Card

• Axis Bank Insta Easy Card

Use it wisely for 6–8 months—and watch your score rise.

Step 9: Become an Authorized User on Someone Else’s Card

If you have a family member (like a spouse or sibling) with a great credit history, ask them to add you as an authorized user.

Their good credit behavior will reflect on your report too.

Step 10: Monitor Your Score Regularly

Once every 3–6 months, check your report.

This helps you stay in control. You’ll know what’s working and what’s not.

Real-World Example: From 598 to 760 in 11 Months

Let me tell you about Ramesh from Pune—a freelance designer. In early 2023, his score was 598. He followed all 10 steps mentioned here:

• Paid off 2 credit cards.

• Got a secured credit card via FD.

• Set up auto-debit.

• Started using only 20% of his credit limit.

• Took a small gold loan and paid it on time.

By January 2024, his score was 760. Today, he’s happily driving a new car—on a loan with just 8.9% interest.

Some Latest News: CIBIL Trends in India (2024–25)

• According to TransUnion CIBIL, nearly 22 million Indians have scores between 550 and 650.

• Post-COVID, more people in Tier-2 cities like Indore, Surat, Lucknow, and Nagpur are facing CIBIL-related issues.

• RBI is working to make credit score access easier and more transparent.

• Fintech companies like KreditBee, Slice, and BharatPe are helping new-to-credit users build scores from scratch.

Common Myths That Are Holding You Back

🛑 “Checking my own score lowers it.”
Nope. That’s called a soft inquiry and it has zero impact.

🛑 “If I pay minimum dues, that’s enough.”
Wrong. Interest keeps piling up. Always try to pay in full.

🛑 “Closing old credit cards will help.”
No—it’ll shorten your credit history.

Did You Know?

80% of loans in India are approved for people with a CIBIL score above 750! Having a high CIBIL score helps you get better interest rates and loan approvals faster.

How Long Will It Really Take?

Let’s set realistic expectations.

Consistency is the name of the game.

Let me tell you something from the heart: A 600 score today doesn’t define your financial future. I’ve been there. So have thousands of others. And guess what? We came out stronger.

Improving your CIBIL score isn’t about being rich. It’s about being responsible. Pay on time. Spend smart. Be patient. That’s it.

If I could take my score from 610 to 715 in just over a year—you absolutely can too.

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Let’s recap the key habits:

✅ Pay on time, always.
✅ Keep usage below 30%.
✅ Don’t apply for too many loans.
✅ Use a secured card to rebuild trust.
✅ Monitor regularly.

I know how stressful a bad CIBIL score can be because I went through it myself. But with discipline and smart financial habits, you can rebuild your score just like I did! I hope these cibil score improvement tips help you. Have you ever struggled with a low CIBIL score? What steps did you take to improve it?

Let me know in the comments and share your experience with us!