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If you've ever applied for a loan or credit card, you've surely heard this question: "What is your CIBIL score?" Until now, this score has been updated rather slowly. You might have paid your EMIs and improved your credit behavior, but it would take up to two weeks for the changes to reflect in your score. But this wait is about to end.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a major step towards making the credit system more real-time and robust. From April 1, 2026, the entire system will change. Credit scores will be updated every 7 days. This means your financial habits—good or bad—will now be reflected much faster. This will benefit both banks and customers.

What will change from April 2026?

Currently, all credit information companies (CICs) in the country—such as TransUnion CIBIL and Experian—update customer credit data every 15 days.

According to the RBI's new proposal:

Credit scores will now be updated every week.
Data will be refreshed a total of 5 times a month.
The fixed dates will be:

7th of the month
14th of the month
21st of the month
28th of the month
The last day of the month
This clearly means that there will be no more delays in score updates; the impact will be immediate.

How will the new system work?
The RBI has not only changed the update frequency but has also defined the entire data flow.

1. Monthly Full Data Submission

Every bank and NBFC will have to:

Submit complete credit data up to the last day of the month.
This data must be provided to all CICs by the 3rd of the following month.
This will include:

All active loans and credit cards.
Accounts that have recently been closed.

2. Weekly Updates = Only New Changes

For the updates in the middle of the month (7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th), banks will:

Send only new or changed data, not the complete data. This will include:

Newly opened loans or cards
EMI payments or defaults
Changes such as address, name, guarantor
Changes in account status (such as moving from SMA to NPA)
This data must be provided by the bank to the CICs within 2 days.

3. RBI's scrutiny on negligence

If a bank or NBFC fails to provide data within the stipulated timeframe -

CICs will report this to the RBI.
This report will go to the DAKSH portal.
It will be submitted twice a year: on March 31st and September 30th.
This means there will be no room for laxity in the system anymore.

What does this mean for common people?
This is where this rule becomes most important.

If you pay your EMIs on time
A good score will be reflected quickly
Chances of loan or credit card approval will increase
You may get a lower interest rate.
If you are late

Even a one-day delay can quickly show up in your score
The next time, your loan may be more expensive or rejected
Where mistakes used to remain "hidden," they will now be immediately exposed.
What are the benefits for banks and NBFCs?
For banks, this change is a game-changer for risk management.

They will now get the latest score.
No more compulsion to give loans based on old data.
The risk of fraud and default will be reduced.
In simple terms, banks will be more vigilant, and lending will become more responsible.

What is a credit score?
A credit score is a 3-digit number (300-900) that indicates how reliable you are in repaying money.

Score Range    Meaning
300–550    Poor
550–650    Average
650–750    Good
750–900    Excellent
This score is based on:

The timing of EMI and card bill payments.
The total amount of debt.
How long have you been using credit?
How to check your CIBIL score?
On the TransUnion CIBIL website

Once a year for free.
Paid plans for frequent checks.
In addition, many banks and fintech apps also show the score for free. In conclusion, the bottom line is this:
The RBI's new rule sends a clear message that the credit system will now be stricter, faster, and more transparent. Good behavior will be rewarded quickly, and bad habits will be caught sooner. If you want to take out a loan or upgrade your credit card in the future, every EMI payment and every due date will now matter.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.