If you check your CIBIL Score for the first time and find NA, NH, or -1 instead of a number, there's no need to panic. This isn't a bad score or a defaulter category; it simply indicates that your credit journey hasn't even begun. This means you haven't used any loans, credit cards, or EMI products yet, so the system doesn't have any past data or payment records about you. Banks and lending companies consider you risky because they don't have a record of your trustworthiness. But the good news is that by following the right steps, you can activate your score in just six months and strengthen it in a year. How? Let's explain.

First Method - Secured Credit Card
If you have an FD, the easiest way to start building your score is to get a Secured Credit Card against it. By using this card and paying your bills on time every month, positive entries will appear in your CIBIL report, and your score will begin to build.

Second Method - Consumer Durable Loan
Buying items like a mobile phone, TV, or washing machine on easy EMIs also helps build your credit health. The more faithfully you pay EMIs on time, the faster your trustworthy profile will develop, and your score will rise.

Third Method - Starting with an Add-on Credit Card
If someone in the family has an old and good credit card, you can start by getting an add-on card by adding your name to it. Smart use and timely payments significantly help build your credit journey.

Fourth Method - Using BNPL Properly
Buy Now Pay Later services like ZestMoney, Simpl, PayLater, etc., now report to credit bureaus. If you use them carefully and make timely payments, your NA score will gradually begin to improve.

Fifth Method - Loan Against FD or Gold Loan
Taking a small gold loan or a loan against an FD is also a good way to demonstrate trust. By paying EMIs on time, you can prove your credit background is strong and trustworthy.

How long will it take to build your score?
If you follow the steps above promptly, your scores will start to appear in about 6 months. However, achieving a good score of 700+ may take 12 to 18 months.

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