How often is the CIBIL score updated?

Your score is recalculated whenever the bureau loads new data from your lenders. Since January 2025, lenders report as of the 15th and the last day of each month, so your score can change about twice a month.

Why has my CIBIL score not changed after I paid off my loan?

The lender reports at the next cut-off (the 15th or month-end) and the bureau has up to five days to process it. Allow roughly three weeks from payment. If it has still not updated after a full cycle, raise a dispute.

Does checking my own CIBIL score lower it?

No. Checking your own score is a soft enquiry and does not affect it. Only enquiries by lenders when you apply for credit count as hard enquiries.

What is the difference between "Closed" and "Settled" on my report?

"Closed" means you repaid the loan in full. "Settled" means the lender agreed to accept less than you owed. A settled account stays on your report and most lenders treat it as a negative, so ask for a full closure wherever you can afford it.

Is the 15-day rule the same for Experian, Equifax and CRIF?

Yes. The rule applies to lenders’ reporting to all four credit bureaus licensed in India, so every report should update on the same cycle.

Credit score

How often is your CIBIL score updated? The 15-day rule, explained

You paid off a loan or cleared a credit card, and your CIBIL score has not moved. Since 1 January 2025, RBI rules have shortened that wait: lenders must now send your credit data to the bureaus every 15 days instead of once a month, and the bureaus must process it within five days. Here is exactly when a change should show up, how to time a loan application around it, and what to do if your report is still wrong.

By FinancePaisa Editorial Team · Research & editorialPublished 1 October 2026 · 4 min read

On this page (7 sections)

What changed in January 2025

RBI’s August 2024 circular on reporting of credit information moved all lenders from monthly to fortnightly reporting from 1 January 2025. Your bank, NBFC and card issuers now send updated account data as of the 15th and the last day of each month, and must submit it within seven days of each cut-off. Bureaus then have five days, instead of seven, to load it into your report. The practical result is that your score reflects both good and bad behaviour roughly twice as fast.

When will my payment show up? Two examples

The worst case depends on where your action falls relative to the next cut-off:

You close a loan on	Lender reports as of	Visible in your report by about	Under the old monthly rule
3 October	15 October	20 October	7 November
18 October	31 October	5 November	7 November

3 October
Lender reports as of
15 October
Visible in your report by about
20 October
Under the old monthly rule
7 November
18 October
Lender reports as of
31 October
Visible in your report by about
5 November
Under the old monthly rule
7 November

How to time a loan or card application

If you are clearing a debt to improve your score before applying, apply after the next cut-off plus about a week, not the day after you pay.
Ask for the No Objection Certificate when you close a loan, and keep it until you see the account marked "Closed" on your report.
Avoid several applications in the same fortnight. Each hard enquiry is now reported quickly and several in a row can lower your score.
Missed an EMI? It will also show up within about three weeks, so pay it before the next cut-off if you can.

Your other rights under RBI’s credit reporting rules

Alerts: bureaus must send you an SMS or email when a lender accesses your credit report, and lenders must alert you when they report a default or overdue payment.
A free full report: each bureau must give you one free full credit report with your score every calendar year.
Reasons for rejection: a lender that turns down your application should tell you why.
Time-bound corrections: disputes must be resolved within 30 calendar days. After that, the lender or bureau responsible pays you ₹100 for every day of delay.
No score is not a bad score: RBI has not prescribed a minimum credit score, and the Finance Ministry has said banks should not reject first-time borrowers only because they have no credit history.

What to do if your report is still wrong

Wait until one reporting cycle plus five days has passed since your payment or closure. If the account still shows the wrong status, raise a dispute on the bureau’s website with the account number and your proof (NOC, payment receipt or statement). The bureau forwards it to the lender. Note the date: if it is not fixed within 30 days, you are owed compensation, and you can escalate to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman.

Frequently asked questions

Sources & references

RBI mandates fortnightly credit information reporting — Business Standard
RBI’s new 15-day credit reporting rule: what it means for your credit score — Business Standard
CICs to alert customers via SMS or email on credit report usage — Outlook Money
CIBIL score not mandatory: banks told not to reject first-time borrowers — Business Standard
Free CIBIL score and report — TransUnion CIBIL

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