The 750+ club: Smart habits and silent traps that define your credit score 

A credit score is one of the most important aspects of a borrower’s financial life. Ranging between 300 and 900, it reflects past credit behaviour and acts as a gatekeeper to future borrowing. A score above 750 not only improves access to credit but can also unlock lower interest rates and better terms from lenders. In a system where rates and eligibility increasingly rely on data, maintaining a high score becomes essential.

In today’s digital lending world, your credit score speaks before you do. It’s no longer just a number; it’s your financial signature.

Fortunately, building and preserving a strong score is well within reach. Timely repayment of EMIs and credit card dues remains the single most effective habit to improve your score. Automated payments or alerts can further reduce the risk of oversight. A healthy credit profile also benefits from a mix of secured and unsecured loans, reflecting diversity and discipline in repayment behaviour.

Avoiding sudden spikes in debt, limiting the number of active loans, and spacing out credit card usage across billing cycles can also signal responsible borrowing patterns to credit bureaus.

Improving your CIBIL score is beneficial in the long term if you plan to take loans or credit. Ishkaran Chhabra, founding partner & chief investment counsellor at Centricity WealthTech, said, “For a good CIBIL score, you require discipline and patience. Even one missed or delayed payment can negatively affect your CIBIL score. Set up auto-debits or reminders to ensure you never miss a due date. Keep credit card usage below 30%, but don’t avoid using it entirely. Too many applications or loan inquiries in a short time can lower your score. A diverse credit mix and regular monitoring of your report will help you strengthen your CIBIL score.”

He also advises young earners to start early with small consumer durable loans or entry-level credit cards, as building a credit history from a young age offers compounding benefits.

Monitoring your credit report regularly helps ensure accuracy. "Any discrepancies or unauthorised activity should be flagged and resolved quickly, as even small errors can drag your score down. Long-standing credit cards should be retained where possible, as older accounts strengthen your credit history and boost score stability over time," said Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar.com.

“Set a routine—review your report once a quarter,” Shetty adds. “It’s like a health check-up for your finances. If you find errors, raise a dispute with the credit bureau immediately. They are obliged to investigate and rectify it if needed.”

What matters just as much are the missteps to avoid. "A single missed EMI, frequent loan enquiries, or fully maxing out your credit limit can trigger risk signals for lenders. Co-signing loans without clarity, or neglecting small dues, may also chip away at your credibility. In a credit-driven ecosystem, your score is a long-term enabler of financial access, and maintaining it requires consistent, informed behaviour," said Shetty.

Experts also caution against closing unused credit cards abruptly, especially those with a long tenure, as it can reduce your available credit limit and shorten your credit history, both of which can dent your score.

In short, credit scores aren’t built in a day. But with every timely payment, wise borrowing decision, and conscious effort to avoid red flags, you inch closer to the coveted 800-mark. And once there, your future lenders won’t just approve you, they will compete for you.