If you have ever checked your credit report and noticed multiple loan or credit card inquiries, you may have wondered whether they are hurting your score. Many borrowers search for credit inquiry removal solutions after seeing a drop in their credit score.
But can you really remove hard inquiry from credit report records? Or is it just another credit myth?
In this detailed guide, we will separate facts from misconceptions. You will learn what hard inquiries are, how they impact your credit score, whether credit inquiries can be removed permanently, and how the dispute process works in India.
What Is a Credit Inquiry?
A credit inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit report. There are two types:
1️. Soft Inquiry
- Happens when you check your own credit score
- Occurs during pre-approved loan offers
- Does NOT affect your credit score
2️. Hard Inquiry
- Happens when you apply for a loan or credit card
- Lender pulls your credit report for approval decision
- May slightly reduce your credit score
Most concerns about credit inquiry removal are related to hard inquiries.
How Do Hard Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score?
A single hard inquiry usually reduces your score by a small margin, typically 5–10 points. The impact depends on your overall credit profile.
Here is a simplified illustration:
| Number of Hard Inquiries (Last 6 Months) | Possible Score Impact | Risk Level Perception |
| 0–1 | Minimal (0–5 points) | Low |
| 2–3 | Moderate (5–15 points) | Slight caution |
| 4–6 | Noticeable (15–25 points) | Higher risk |
| 7+ | Significant | High risk behavior |
Note: Figures are illustrative and vary by credit bureau.
Multiple loan applications within a short time may signal “credit hungry behavior” to lenders.
Why Do People Look for Credit Inquiry Removal?
Borrowers often notice a score drop after:
- Applying for multiple loans
- Comparing credit card offers
- Using different loan apps simultaneously
- Loan rejection after application
When a loan gets rejected, borrowers may feel the inquiry should be deleted. But this is not always how the system works.
Can Credit Inquiries Be Removed?
Now comes the most important question: can credit inquiries be removed?
The honest answer is:
Only under specific circumstances.
Hard inquiries can be removed only if:
- They are unauthorized
- They were made without your consent
- There is incorrect reporting
- Duplicate inquiries were recorded
If the inquiry is genuine and you applied for the loan, it cannot be removed just because you changed your mind or the loan was rejected.
When Can You Remove Hard Inquiry from Credit Report?
You may be eligible to remove hard inquiry from credit report if:
The inquiry was fraudulent
For example, someone applied for credit using your identity.
The lender pulled your report without permission
This is rare but possible.
There is a reporting error
Incorrect date or duplicated entry.
In such cases, you can initiate a dispute with the credit bureau.
When Credit Inquiry Removal Is Not Possible
You cannot request removal if:
- You genuinely applied for a loan
- You submitted an online application
- You gave consent during KYC
- The lender legally accessed your report
Even if your loan was rejected, the inquiry remains valid.
How Long Do Hard Inquiries Stay on Your Report?
In India, hard inquiries typically remain on your credit report for up to 2 years.
However:
- Their impact on your score reduces after 6–12 months
- Older inquiries matter less to lenders
So even if you cannot complete credit inquiry removal, time reduces the effect.
How to Dispute an Incorrect Inquiry
If you think the inquiry is erroneous, follow these steps:
Step 1: Obtain Your Credit Report
Download your report from an authorized credit bureau.
Step 2: Locate the Incorrect Information
Record the date, lender name, and inquiry information.
Step 3: Dispute the Error
Use the official website of the credit bureau to make an online dispute.
Step 4: Attach Supporting Documents
Attach identity documents if necessary.
Step 5: Wait for the Results of the Investigation
The credit bureau will contact the lender to verify the inquiry.
If the inquiry is incorrect, it may be removed after verification.
Common Myths About Credit Inquiry Removal
Let’s debunk some myths.
Myth 1: All hard inquiries can be removed
Truth: Only unauthorized or inaccurate inquiries qualify.
Myth 2: Credit repair companies can remove legitimate inquiries
Truth: No credit repair company can legally remove accurate information.
Myth 3: Paying a fee will guarantee removal
Truth: If the inquiry is legitimate, it will remain.
Remember to always be aware of scams that promise guaranteed removal.
Does Checking Your Own Score Raise Inquiries?
No. Checking your own credit score creates a soft inquiry. It does not affect your score.
Many credit score platforms, including digital financial service apps like Olyv, allow users to monitor their score safely without triggering hard inquiries. Monitoring regularly can actually help you plan applications better.
Smart Ways to Avoid Too Many Hard Inquiries
Since complete credit inquiry removal is not always possible, prevention is better.
Here are practical steps:
Compare Before Applying
Check eligibility criteria carefully.
Avoid Multiple Applications
Do not apply with 4–5 lenders at once.
Use Pre-Eligibility Checks
Some lenders offer soft checks before full application.
Space Out Applications
Maintain at least 3–6 months gap between major loan applications.
Improve Score First
If you have a poor score, try to improve it before applying.
Does Loan Rate Shopping Hurt Your Score?
If you apply for several loans in a short period of time (such as 10 to 15 days) for the same kind of loan, some scoring models may consider them as a single inquiry.
This is based on the internal calculation rules of the bureau.
What Happens If You Ignore Hard Inquiries?
If you ignore them:
- Score impact gradually reduces
- After 12 months, the effect becomes minimal
- After 24 months, the entry usually disappears
So even if you cannot remove hard inquiry from credit report, the situation is not permanent.
How Much Does Inquiry Impact Matter Compared to Other Factors?
Credit score calculation usually depends more on:
- Payment history (35–40%)
- Credit utilization (30%)
- Credit mix
- Length of credit history
- Recent inquiries (smaller portion)
This means inquiries matter, but they are not the biggest factor.
Missing EMIs has a much larger impact than hard inquiries.
Final Thoughts
The idea of credit inquiry removal is often misunderstood. While it is possible to remove hard inquiry from credit report records in cases of fraud or reporting errors, genuine inquiries cannot simply be erased.
If you are wondering, “can credit inquiries be removed permanently?” — the answer depends on whether the entry is incorrect.A valid inquiry will remain for a short period and lose strength.
Rather than concentrating on removal, consider the following:
- Prudent loan application
- Inquiry before applying
- Regular checks on your credit report
- Enhancing repayment history
Hard inquiries are only temporary, but financial prudence will yield long-term results.
Before applying for your next loan, take a minute to review your information, plan carefully, and refrain from applying if unnecessary. This is the best way to safeguard your credit rating.
