Learn the key differences between CRIF High Mark and CIBIL scores, and how to manage and dispute errors.
Understanding the difference between CRIF vs CIBIL can significantly improve your ability to secure loans or credit cards in India. The Centre for Research in International Finance (CRIF) High Mark and the Credit Information Bureau India Limited (CIBIL) both provide credit scores ranging from 300 to 900.
Yet, your CRIF score vs CIBIL score may not match, as each uses different methods to assess your financial history. Knowing the differences clearly can enhance your chances of loan approval. Without understanding these variations, you could risk unexpected rejections or unfavourable terms, making financial planning difficult.
Understanding the differences between CRIF score vs CIBIL score can significantly influence your chances of securing credit. Here’s a clear comparison of key parameters between the two leading credit bureaus in India:
Parameters |
CRIF High Mark Score |
CIBIL Credit Score |
Full Form |
Centre for Research in International Finance (CRIF) High Mark Credit Information Services Pvt. Ltd. |
Credit Information Bureau India Limited (CIBIL), now known as TransUnion CIBIL |
Established |
2007 |
2000 |
Ownership |
Joint venture between CRIF (Italy) and Indian financial institutions |
Owned by TransUnion in association with Indian Banks' Association (IBA) |
Score Range |
300-900 (750 and above considered excellent) |
300-900 (above 750 considered good) |
Credit Data Sources |
Banks, NBFCs, microfinance institutions |
Banks, NBFCs, and other financial institutions (over 2,400 lenders) |
Credit Report Format |
Simple and user-friendly, offering detailed insights and tools to understand credit health |
Detailed and comprehensive, providing extensive credit history |
Key Factors in Score Calculation |
Repayment history, credit utilisation, length and type of credit history |
Payment history, recent credit behaviour, credit mix, credit utilisation |
Market Presence |
Global presence in more than 40 countries across 4 continents |
Primarily present in India |
Licensing |
Directly regulated and licensed by RBI |
Regulated by RBI but operated by TransUnion, a global credit bureau |
Impact on Lending Decisions |
Increasingly important for diverse financial institutions looking at detailed credit risk assessments |
Crucial metric for Indian lenders; widely preferred due to its established presence |
Cost of Report |
₹399 (including GST) |
₹550 (including GST) |
Free Credit Score Check |
Available online via CRIF website |
Available online via CIBIL website |
Influence on Loan Terms |
Variations in CRIF score can influence loan approvals and terms depending on the lender |
Widely accepted standard in India; significantly affects loan terms, interest rates, and credit approval decisions |
Here is how you can easily check your free CRIF credit score online in a few simple steps:
Visit the official CRIF High Mark website and click on the 'Check Free Credit Score' option
Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your PAN card
Provide your PAN number accurately in the given field
Type in your registered mobile number and click 'Submit'
Verify your identity through the OTP received on your registered mobile number
Review your personal details carefully and confirm they are correct
Access your CRIF credit score along with a detailed credit report instantly online
Keeping track of your CIBIL score helps you stay financially healthy and improves your chances of getting credit at better terms. Here is how you can check your CIBIL score for free using Bajaj Markets:
Visit the Bajaj Markets website, go to the CIBIL Score section, and click on ‘Free CIBIL Score’
Click on the ‘Check Now’ option displayed on the page
Fill in your personal details—name, mobile number, date of birth, email ID, PAN, and residential pincode
Choose your employment type from the available options
Tick the checkbox to accept the terms and conditions
Click on ‘GET REPORT’
Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and click on ‘SUBMIT’
Once your details are verified, your CIBIL score will be displayed
To monitor your credit score more effectively, use the Bajaj Markets App. It provides a personalised report with insights on your credit cards, loan details, and tailored suggestions to help you improve your score.
Lenders check credit scores from both CRIF High Mark and CIBIL to assess an applicant's creditworthiness. While CIBIL score is more widely recognised in India, CRIF score is gaining traction, especially in certain sectors. The choice of which score to use depends on the lender and the type of loan being applied for. Lenders may check one or both scores to get a complete view of an individual's financial behaviour before approving a loan.
Here are the steps to rectify errors on your credit report and ensure its accuracy:
Obtain a copy of your credit report from CRIF or CIBIL to identify any discrepancies
Review the report carefully to check for errors such as incorrect account details or missed payments
Contact the credit bureau via their online portal or customer support to report the errors
Provide supporting documentation, such as bank statements or payment receipts, to validate your claim
Wait for the credit bureau to investigate and resolve the issue, which may take 30 to 45 days
Once the dispute is resolved, check your updated CRIF or CIBIL credit report for corrections
Here’s how you can raise a dispute with CRIF to correct any errors on your credit report:
Log in to your CRIF High Mark portal using your credentials
Navigate to the "My Report" section and click on the ‘Raise a Query’ tab
Select the credit report containing the error you wish to dispute and click ‘Proceed’
Choose the account or information you want to correct and click "Submit" to raise the dispute
After submitting, you will receive a service request or ticket number via email for future reference
Wait for CRIF to resolve the dispute, which typically takes up to 30 days
Once resolved, CRIF will share the outcome of the dispute with you, closing the grievance
Here’s how you can raise a dispute with CIBIL to correct any errors on your credit report:
Visit the official CIBIL website and submit the online dispute form
After logging in, select the credit report with the error and fill in the details of the dispute
Submit the dispute form, and it will be forwarded to the concerned bank or financial institution for review
Based on the type of dispute, the bank/financial institution will either accept or reject the dispute
If the dispute is accepted, CIBIL will make the necessary corrections on your report
The entire process will be completed within 30 days from the submission of the dispute
No, CRIF High Mark and CIBIL scores are not the same. While both range from 300 to 900, they are calculated using different methodologies, factors, and data sources, leading to variations in the scores provided by each bureau.
Neither is universally better. The choice between CRIF High Mark and CIBIL depends on the lender's preference. CIBIL is more commonly used in India, but CRIF is gaining traction for its comprehensive credit assessments.
Yes, both CRIF and CIBIL allow you to dispute incorrect information. You can file a dispute online, providing necessary details and supporting documents. The credit bureau will investigate the issue and resolve it within 30 days.
The weightage of CRIF High Mark or CIBIL scores depends on the lender. CIBIL is more widely used in India, so it may carry more weight, but CRIF is growing in importance with several financial institutions.
There is no definitive answer. CIBIL scores are the most recognised in India, while CRIF High Mark offers a more detailed, global credit evaluation. Both scores are important depending on the lender and the loan type.
Your CRIF score and CIBIL score can differ due to variations in the data they use, scoring models, or the frequency of updates. Each bureau may access slightly different financial data, leading to different assessments.
CIBIL is the most widely used credit score in India. A CIBIL score above 750 is typically considered good by lenders. However, CRIF High Mark and other bureaus are also gaining importance in the lending industry.
Both CRIF and CIBIL scores are typically updated monthly. Updates depend on when lenders report your financial activity, such as loan repayments, credit card usage, or other financial transactions.
No, CRIF and CIBIL are different credit bureaus, with distinct scoring models, data sources, and methodologies. While they provide similar services, they may offer different credit scores based on their assessment criteria.
A CRIF score may be lower than a CIBIL score due to differences in data sources, scoring models, and the weight assigned to certain factors like credit history length or payment frequency. Different bureaus might assess your credit risk differently.