When people hear credit score, they often think only of CIBIL. But did you know there are four major credit bureaus licensed to operate in India? Each bureau calculates your credit score and report slightly differently — so understanding the differences can help you manage your credit better.
In this blog, we’ll explain how each bureau works, how they are similar, where they differ, and which one matters most when you apply for a loan.
? Who Are India’s Major Credit Bureaus?
India has four RBI-approved credit bureaus:
1?? TransUnion CIBIL
2?? Experian India
3?? Equifax India
4?? CRIF High Mark
All four are regulated by RBI under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act (CICRA) and get regular updates from banks and NBFCs.
? 1?? CIBIL (TransUnion CIBIL)
- Oldest & most popular: India’s first credit bureau, started in 2000.
- Score range: 300 to 900.
- Most used: Major banks and NBFCs mainly check CIBIL for personal loans, home loans, and cards.
- Reports updated monthly: Based on bank data.
- Website:www.cibil.com
? 2?? Experian India
- Global brand: Experian is an international bureau, entered India in 2010.
- Score range: 300 to 900.
- Lenders using Experian: Some private banks, digital NBFCs, fintech lenders prefer Experian.
- Good for: Fast online personal loans and credit cards.
- Website:www.experian.in
? 3?? Equifax India
- US-based bureau: Came to India in 2010.
- Score range: 300 to 900.
- Special focus: MSMEs and business credit reports apart from personal.
- Lenders: Used by some private banks, vehicle loan providers, and NBFCs.
- Website:www.equifax.co.in
? 4?? CRIF High Mark
- European link: Part of the global CRIF group.
- Score range: 300 to 900.
- Special strength: Strong in microfinance and rural lending segments.
- Unique: Also provides business and SME credit scores.
- Website:www.crifhighmark.com
? How Are These Bureaus Different?
| Feature | CIBIL | Experian | Equifax | CRIF High Mark |
| Started in India | 2000 | 2010 | 2010 | 2010 |
| Global Presence | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Popular For | Personal loans, home loans | Fintech, digital lenders | MSME reports | Microfinance, rural loans |
| Score Range | 300-900 | 300-900 | 300-900 | 300-900 |
| Report Updates | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Special Feature | Widely accepted | Quick online lenders | Business credit | Microfinance strength |
? Why Do Your Scores Differ Across Bureaus?
It’s common to see a slightly different score from each bureau — this is normal.
Reasons:
- Not all lenders report to all bureaus — some report to only 1 or 2.
- Some bureaus may update faster than others.
- Each bureau uses its own scoring model.
- Data mismatches or delays can cause gaps.
That’s why it’s smart to check at least 2 bureaus when tracking your credit health.
? Which Bureau Do Lenders Prefer?
- Most banks still rely on CIBIL as the first check — especially for personal loans, home loans, and credit cards.
- Some fintech lenders use Experian or Equifax for faster online approvals.
- For micro loans or small business loans, CRIF High Mark is more common.
? How to Check Your Reports
Good news — you can check one free report per year from each bureau!
So, you can get:
?? 1 free CIBIL report
?? 1 free Experian report
?? 1 free Equifax report
?? 1 free CRIF High Mark report
Checking all four can help you spot mistakes or hidden loans early.
? Pro Tip: Keep All Your Bureaus Clean
A hidden loan or wrong remark in any one bureau can block your loan. That’s why we at Credit Experts always check all major bureaus when we help customers fix their credit score.
? Need help clearing negative marks or disputes across any bureau?
? www.creditexperts.in
? +91 9743430811 | ?? support@creditexperts.in
Stay informed — protect your score — and open more doors for your future!