There is no single CIBIL score that guarantees approval across Indian banks. A lender considers its own card criteria, your credit report, income, existing borrowing and other underwriting requirements. A high score helps establish repayment history; it does not entitle you to a particular card.
Our earlier version said no Indian bank publishes a score threshold. That extrapolated beyond our catalogue and was incorrect. For example, Indian Overseas Bank’s RuPay credit-card FAQ specifies deposit security with a 10% margin where the CIBIL score is below 650. That is an issuer-specific condition, not a universal approval cutoff.
| What you see | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| A published minimum score | A condition for that issuer/product; check any security or exception rules |
| A suggested score, such as 750 | A guide or preference unless the bank explicitly makes it a requirement |
| No score on a product page | The page does not establish the lender’s internal approval policy |
| A high score | Useful repayment history, not guaranteed eligibility or a promised credit limit |
| NA / NH | Insufficient scored history; not the same as a poor repayment record |
What to check before applying
Start with the exact card variant. Read the issuer’s current eligibility page for age, location and income requirements. Keep the units and basis intact: monthly net salary, annual income and annual ITR are different criteria. A salary before deductions should not be compared directly with a net-income requirement.
Then inspect your credit report. Check that the accounts are yours, payments are recorded correctly and closed accounts have the correct status. Your score alone cannot explain every lending decision. CIBIL’s explanation of “settled” accounts illustrates why the underlying status matters: a settlement below the full amount owed is different from normal repayment in full.
Our card catalogue shows the criteria we hold and links to issuer sources. An unverified or absent figure is not a promise that anyone can apply successfully.
If you have never borrowed
A secured card against a fixed deposit may be an option if the issuer offers one and you meet its conditions. Consider the deposit requirement, fees, limit and closure process. You do not need to carry an interest-bearing balance to build repayment history. Pay the full bill by its due date and keep spending manageable.
There is no guaranteed number of months to a particular score. Do not take a loan you do not need merely to change your credit mix.
If your application was declined
Use the reason the issuer provides and check your report for errors before making further applications. A different issuer may have different criteria, but repeatedly applying is not a substitute for understanding the issue. Our application rejection guide explains the questions to investigate.
Can I get a card with a score of 650 or 750?
Possibly, depending on the issuer, product and the rest of your application. Neither number is a market-wide guarantee. Where a bank publishes a specific rule, follow that rule rather than a generic internet threshold.
Does checking my own score reduce it?
Checking your own report does not have the same effect as a lender’s hard enquiry following a credit application. Review the report periodically and use the bureau’s dispute process for factual errors. See our CIBIL learning chapter for the distinction between a score, a report and repayment behaviour.