Whenever first-time borrowers go to check their CIBIL score and come across “Score Not Generated”, they get stuck. The reason for this occurrence is that CIBIL requires certain credit activities to compute the score. In case you have not applied for any loan or have not used a credit card, your report will be empty. The good news is that anyone can generate CIBIL score with a few simple steps. You just need to start small and build a clean track record.
In this guide, we will explain to you some easy ways of creating your first credit history, even if you are a total beginner.
Why You Don’t Have a CIBIL Score Yet
CIBIL does not issue a score for individuals who have no history of credit activity. Thus, if you have never used any form of credit or borrowed money, the system is not able to measure anything.
Some apps call this “NH” (No History). This is normal. You only need to show a few months of responsible credit use to generate CIBIL score for the first time.
Reasons Why You Have No CIBIL Score
| Reason | What It Means |
| No past loans | CIBIL has no data to check |
| No credit card usage | No repayment track record |
| Cash-only spending | No activity linked to PAN |
| Not linked to any NBFC or bank | No reported credit account |
Step 1: Start With a Simple Credit Product
If you’re wondering how to build a credit history from scratch, start with small and manageable tools. The simplest is a secured card. You open a fixed deposit, and the bank gives you a card against it.
Another way is to get a consumer durable loan for a small item like a phone or appliance. These loans are easy to get and also allow you to begin reporting. In a few months, your activity helps CIBIL generate CIBIL score.
Step 2: Use the Credit Wisely
Getting a credit product is not all that you need. You have to demonstrate good habits. This is where beginner credit-building methods become crucial.
You can easily remember the rules,
- Pay each bill before the due date.
- Usage should be less than 30% of your limit.
- Don’t take too many loans at once.
All of these habits help CIBIL to develop trust in your profile.
Step 3: Keep Your PAN Linked to All Credit Accounts
Your PAN is the connection between you and your credit report. If your PAN is not updated with your bank or Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), your loan or credit transactions will not be reported.
Make sure every lender you deal with has your correct PAN. This helps CIBIL quickly generate CIBIL score after your first few months of credit use.
Step 4: Try a Small Personal or Digital Loan
A lot of lenders today provide low-ticket digital loans. These are good ways to build a first credit score, as long as you use them wisely.
If you pay on time, these loans lend a hand to speeding up your credit journey. But do not take too many small loans simultaneously. This may lower your no-credit-history loan eligibility for larger loans in the future.
Best Starter Options to Build Credit
| Credit Tool | Why It Helps |
| Secured Credit Card | Easy approval, small limit |
| Digital Micro Loan | Quick reporting to CIBIL |
| Buy-Now-Pay-Later | Helps build early repayment history |
| Small Consumer Loan | Shows steady EMI payments |
Step 5: Regularly Check Your Credit
It is advisable to keep an eye on your score every month. Free score apps are beneficial in the sense that they provide a visual of how you are progressing. Moreover, this prevents major mistakes from happening unnoticed.
With the increase in your activities, CIBIL will at last calculate your CIBIL score and give you a digit between 300 and 900.
How Long Does It Take?
If you follow all the right beginner credit-building methods, you can expect your first score within 3 to 6 months. Sometimes, it appears earlier if your lender reports quickly.
Remember, your first score might not be very high. That is normal. It gets better as you continue using credit responsibly.
Conclusion
It is fully possible to build your first credit profile even if you have no past loans or cards. By using simple products, keeping your PAN updated, repaying on time, and checking your report regularly, you give CIBIL enough data to generate CIBIL score confidently. With the right mix of ways to create a first credit score and smart habits, you become eligible for bigger loans and better interest rates in the future. Starting strong is the key; your financial journey begins with a single small credit step.
