Understanding how credit utilisation is updated on CIBIL is important if you want to maintain a healthy credit score. Many people check their score regularly, but do not know when their credit card usage actually gets reflected. This delay often leads to confusion, especially when you see sudden drops or unexpected changes in your score.
Through this guide, you will understand how often credit utilisation gets updated, what affects the update cycle, and how tools like Olyv help you stay informed. The language is simple, the structure is easy to follow, and the information is practical for everyday users.
What Is Credit Utilisation?
Credit utilisation signifies the percentage of the borrowed amount of the total credit given to you.
For example, if your credit limit on the card is ₹1,00,000 and you make a purchase of ₹40,000, the credit utilisation ratio is 40%.
This factor is important in determining your CIBIL score. A low ratio indicates that the person is a responsible spender, while a high ratio suggests a risky behaviour that can lead to a lower score. It is always good to keep your utilisation under 30% to ensure a good score.
How CIBIL Obtains Your Credit Utilisation Information
CIBIL does not get information about your credit usage directly from you. It instead gets updates from,
- Banks
- NBFCs
- Credit card issuers
- Other lenders
Every month, they report your credit activity. The report consists of,
- Your outstanding balance
- Credit limit
- Credit utilisation
- Your payment history
- The opening of new loans or the closing of accounts
Because the lenders share this information once every 30 days, your credit utilisation is also usually updated once a month.
How Often Do the Updates Of Credit Utilisation Actually Take Place
Although the regular interval is a month, the actual updating frequency depends on the lender. Some are quick in updating, whereas others take a longer time.
Here is a simple breakdown,
| Lender Type | Update Frequency | Notes |
| Major banks | Every 30 days | Usually, on a fixed reporting date |
| NBFCs | 30–45 days | Slight delays are common |
| Fintech credit cards | 25–35 days | Faster reporting cycles |
| Small lenders | 45+ days | Slowest update patterns |
Why Your Credit Utilisation May Appear Delayed
Often, people become tense if their statement does not reflect up-to-date balances. But the following justifications are responsible for the delays,
1. Lender Reporting Cycles
Lenders have their own particular time each month to provide the data. If you settle your payment right after that time, probably, your update will only be visible the following month.
2. Billing Cycles
Credit usage is usually reported in accordance with the statement balance, and not the paid amount.
3. Technical Delays
Occasionally, data submission by the lenders is delayed due to problems with their systems.
4. Multiple credit Cards
Different billing cycles are associated with the credit cards, and therefore, the updates appear at different times.
How Olyv Helps You Track These Updates
Olyv is a platform that provides credit health monitoring for users. It includes real-time notifications, advanced insights, and simple score tracking among its features. Olyv does not wait for CIBIL monthly updates; it quickly notifies you once new data is available.
With Olyv, you will receive,
- Alerts for changes in your credit utilisation
- Notices regarding the latest CIBIL data
- Suggestions for improving your score
- Graphs that clearly depict your usage patterns
- Knowledge about the impact of utilisation on your credit score
What Happens When Your Credit Utilisation Goes High?
Your credit score may get affected negatively if your credit utilisation exceeds 30-40% even if you are a proper, timely payer. The reason is,
- High utilisation means the credit is being used heavily
- It implies the lender’s concern regarding your liquidity
- It lowers the buyer’s perceived financial strength
A month of heavy usage can lead to a temporary score drop.
Can You Fix Credit Utilisation Before Report Updates?
Yes, you can reduce utilisation even before the next CIBIL update. Try these steps,
Pay Your Credit Card Dues Early
Pay several times during the month instead of waiting until the due day.
Increase Your Credit Limit
This opens up utilisation without affecting your total spending.
Use Multiple Cards Smartly
Distribute your expenses in a way that keeps the balance low on each card.
Avoid Maxing Out Cards
High utilisation can still hurt your credit score, regardless of having made the payments on time.
The good thing is you can monitor your credit utilisation and see it getting healthier when your lender reports the data next month.
How Frequently Should You Check Your Credit Utilisation?
It is not necessary to check it every day. For most people, monthly checks are sufficient. However, if you are planning to take out a loan, it is advisable to be more vigilant.
Monitor your credit utilisation,
- Before applying for a loan
- During large purchases
- When you increase your credit limit
- If your score drops unexpectedly
With Olyv’s alerts, you don’t even have to check manually. You are automatically notified when fresh CIBIL data is reflected.
Tips to Maintain a Healthy Credit Utilisation Level
Here are some simple and effective habits,
- Keep utilisation below 30%
- Avoid large purchases right before the billing date
- Pay your credit card bill before the time
- Ask for a credit limit increase once a year
- Use EMI options wisely
- Regularly track your usage on an app like Olyv
These little measures keep you in good credit utilisation throughout the year.
Conclusion
Your credit utilisation plays an important role in your CIBIL score, and understanding how frequently it updates can help you manage your credit better. Since lenders report data monthly, utilisation typically updates every 30 days. However, delays are normal depending on billing cycles and lender reporting habits. Tools like Olyv make this process easier by sending alerts whenever new updates appear, helping you stay informed and take action on time. By keeping your utilisation low and monitoring it regularly, you can maintain a strong credit score and avoid surprises during loan applications.

