Are you frustrated with constant personal loan rejections or being offered high-interest rates despite your financial stability? The culprit might not be you—but your low credit score. The good news is that you can improve your credit score with a few small yet impactful changes. With a better score, not only do you increase your chances of loan approval, but you also become eligible for lower interest rates.
Let’s understand how credit scores work and how you can quickly fix yours with these three simple strategies.
What is a Credit Score and Why Does it Matter?A credit score is a three-digit number ranging between 300 and 900 that reflects your creditworthiness. Lenders such as banks and NBFCs rely on this score to determine your loan eligibility and applicable interest rate. A score above 700 is generally considered good, while anything below 650 can make it challenging to secure loans or get favorable terms.
For instance, if two individuals apply for a ₹2 lakh personal loan from the same bank, but one has a credit score of 780 and the other has 640, the first applicant will not only get faster approval but will also enjoy lower interest rates.
Here Are 3 Easy Tips to Improve Your Credit Score: 1. Ensure Timely Payment of Bills and EMIsOne of the biggest reasons for a low credit score is late or missed payments. Every time you miss paying your credit card bill or EMI on time, it negatively impacts your credit history and lowers your score.
-
Set up Auto-Debit for EMIs: Automate your EMI payments to avoid accidental delays.
-
Use Payment Reminders: Schedule reminders on your phone to stay on track.
-
Always Pay at least the Minimum Due: Even if you can’t pay the full amount, paying the minimum due prevents a negative mark on your report.
-
Consistent on-time payments for 3 to 6 months can significantly improve your credit score.
Using a large portion of your credit limit frequently signals high credit dependency, which can hurt your credit score.
-
Keep Credit Utilization Below 30%: If your card limit is ₹1 lakh, try not to exceed ₹30,000 in monthly usage.
-
Avoid maxing out your cards even if you clear dues on time.
-
Impact Based on Usage:
-
Utilization below 30% — Positive/Neutral Impact
-
Utilization between 30%-50% — Slight Negative Impact
-
Utilization above 50% — Likely Credit Score Drop
-
Maintaining a low credit utilization ratio is one of the fastest ways to give your credit score a boost.
3. Regularly Check and Correct Errors in Your Credit ReportInaccuracies in your credit report, such as old closed loans still being listed as active or incorrect payment defaults, can drag down your score unfairly.
-
Obtain a free credit report annually from agencies like CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, or CRIF Highmark.
-
Review your report thoroughly for:
-
Unknown loan entries.
-
Payment defaults you are unaware of.
-
Incorrect personal details or account numbers.
-
-
If you spot errors, raise an online dispute through the credit bureau’s portal. Most corrections are resolved within 30 days.
A low credit score isn't a permanent setback. By adopting these simple practices—paying bills on time, controlling credit card usage, and monitoring your credit report—you can steadily improve your score within a few months. A healthy credit score not only increases your chances of loan approval but also qualifies you for lower interest rates, better credit card deals, and overall stronger financial credibility.
Start taking these steps today and pave the way for smoother loan approvals and smarter borrowing in the future.
You may also like
IndiGo bars man who hit a co-passenger on plane flying from Mumbai to Kolkata from its flights
F1 stewards issue statement after Max Verstappen penalty decision over towel incident
'Masterpiece' Western series hailed 'best ever made' is free to stream on Netflix
No H1-B visas, just leave the country after you get a degree: Steve Bannon's explosive comment on foreign students
British & Irish Lions match suspended moments after star gets knocked out