CIBIL Score New Rules : If you have ever applied for a loan or a credit card, you must have faced one unavoidable question — “What is your CIBIL score?” Until now, improvements or lapses in repayment behavior took nearly two weeks to reflect in a borrower’s credit score. That delay is set to become history.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a major reform to make India’s credit reporting system faster, stricter, and more transparent. Starting 1 April 2026, credit scores will be updated every seven days, significantly reducing the gap between financial behavior and its reflection in credit records.
Credit Scores to Be Updated Five Times a Month
Currently, credit information companies (CICs) such as TransUnion CIBIL and Experian update credit data once every 15 days. Under the new RBI framework:
Credit scores will be refreshed weekly
Data will be updated five times a month
Fixed reporting dates will be:
7th
14th
21st
28th
Last day of the month
This change ensures that borrowers’ repayment behavior—positive or negative—will be reflected much faster than before.
RBI Redefines Data Reporting Structure
The RBI has also laid down a clear and structured mechanism for data submission by banks and NBFCs.
Monthly Full Data Submission
All banks and NBFCs must submit:
Complete credit data up to the last day of the month
Data must be shared with all CICs by the 3rd of the following mont
This will include:
- All active loans and credit cards
- Recently closed accounts
Weekly Incremental Updates
For weekly updates during the month:
- Only new or modified data will be reported
- Banks must submit updates within two days
These updates will cover:
New loan or credit card openings
EMI payments or defaults.
Changes in customer details such as address or guarantor
Changes in account status, including movement towards NPA
RBI to Monitor Delays Through DAKSH Portal
To ensure compliance, RBI has introduced strict monitoring:
CICs will report delays by banks or NBFCs to the RBI
Reports will be uploaded on the DAKSH supervisory portal
Reporting will take place twice a year — on 31 March and 30 September
This move leaves little room for laxity in data reporting.
Impact on Borrowers
The new system will have a direct impact on individual borrowers.
For Disciplined Borrowers:
- Faster improvement in credit scores
- Higher chances of loan and credit card approvals
- Possibility of lower interest rates
For Defaulters:
- Even short delays may reflect quickly in credit scores
- Higher risk of loan rejection or higher borrowing costs
- Errors that earlier remained unnoticed will now surface immediately
Benefits for Banks and Financial Institutions
For lenders, the reform is expected to be a major boost to risk management:
Access to near real-time credit data
Reduced dependence on outdated borrower information
Lower chances of fraud and loan defaults
Industry experts believe this will lead to more responsible lending practices across the banking sector.
How to Check Your Credit Score
- TransUnion CIBIL allows one free credit score check per year
- Paid plans are available for frequent access
- Several banks and fintech apps also offer free credit score monitoring
Conclusion
RBI’s decision marks a significant shift in India’s credit ecosystem. With weekly credit score updates, financial discipline will be rewarded faster, while defaults will be identified sooner.
As India moves toward a more data-driven lending environment, borrowers will need to be more cautious than ever — because now, every EMI and every due date truly counts.