DPD in CIBIL – What It Means and Why It Matters to Your Credit Score

In the world of credit, your report says more about you than you might think. It tells lenders whether you’re consistent, whether you manage money responsibly, and whether you’re likely to repay on time. A big part of that picture is the figure known as DPD in CIBIL.

You might have seen this term on your credit report and wondered what it means. It stands for Days Past Due. In simpler terms, it refers to how many days late you were in making a payment to a lender. While a missed payment here and there may seem minor, DPD entries can have a serious impact on your credit profile.

This article takes you through what DPD is, why it affects your score, how to read it correctly, and what you can do to prevent or resolve issues. Along the way, we’ll also cover how to check CIBIL score, understand the CIBIL score range, and ways to increase CIBIL score with small, consistent efforts.

Understanding DPD in CIBIL – More Than Just a Number

DPD stands for Days Past Due. It indicates how late a borrower was in paying their monthly installment or credit card dues. When a payment is delayed—even by a day—it may be recorded in the report.

The format is straightforward. Each month has a corresponding DPD value. If your payment was on time, the entry is marked as “000” or “STD” (standard). If the payment was 30 days late, it’s marked as “030”. This continues in multiples—“060”, “090”, and so on.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

A series of high DPD values signals credit stress. Even one or two delays can lower your credibility in the eyes of banks.

Why DPD in CIBIL Affects Your Score

A good credit score is built on trust. When lenders see frequent or prolonged delays, they worry about your repayment behaviour. That’s why DPD impacts your creditworthiness almost immediately.

DPD reflects directly in your score. For instance:

• Missing one EMI by 30 days might cause a small dip
• Repeating that over three or four months may drag your score down by 50–100 points
• A 90-day default could lead to serious long-term damage—even loan rejections

This is why it’s vital to keep your DPD entries clean. It helps preserve your position in the CIBIL score range and avoids red flags in loan applications.

CIBIL Score Range – Where Do You Stand?

Before addressing how to resolve DPD issues, it’s helpful to understand the CIBIL score range. It goes from 300 to 900. The closer you are to 900, the better.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

If your DPD entries are clean for a year or more, you’re more likely to stay in the upper bands of this range.

How to Check CIBIL Score and Spot DPD?

To manage DPD, you must know it exists. The first step is to check CIBIL score and your credit report.

You can do this by visiting the official CIBIL website:

1. Register with basic information (PAN, date of birth, etc.)
2. Answer a few verification questions
3. Download your credit report
4. Look at the DPD column for each credit account

Scan the last 12–24 months. Spot any 030 or 060 entries and take note. This helps you understand patterns or problems in your repayment history.

Can You Remove or Correct DPD Entries?

In some cases, yes. If a DPD entry is incorrect—say, you made the payment on time but the lender reported it late—you can raise a dispute. Here’s how:

• Log into your CIBIL account
• Select ‘Dispute an Entry’
• Choose the account and the month in question
• Submit supporting documents, like bank statements or payment receipts

CIBIL will investigate and revert within 30 days. If verified, the entry will be updated or removed.

But if the delay was genuine, it cannot be erased. In that case, the best strategy is to avoid further defaults and start rebuilding.

How to Increase CIBIL Score After DPD Issues?

Even with some negative history, it’s possible to increase CIBIL score with the right steps. These don’t require expert advice or major life changes—just consistency.

Here’s what helps:

• Start paying all EMIs before the due date (set auto-debit if needed)
• Keep credit card utilisation under 30% of the limit
• Avoid applying for too many loans or cards in a short period
• Continue servicing existing loans responsibly
• Keep your oldest credit account open to build history

As each month passes without delay, your DPD records improve. Over time, lenders see this pattern and your score begins to recover.

Real-Life Example – Why One Missed Payment Can Hurt

Imagine this—Ravi has a credit score of 780. He misses one EMI on his car loan by 45 days due to a salary delay. His DPD is now marked as 045 for that month.

Three months later, he applies for a home loan. The lender checks his report, sees the DPD entry, and gets cautious. Instead of pre-approved terms, Ravi gets asked for extra documentation and receives a higher interest rate offer.

Even with an otherwise strong profile, that single delay costs him money and convenience. A timely reminder or a savings buffer could have prevented this.

Table – Steps to Manage and Fix DPD Issues

Here’s a concise summary of your action plan:

Follow this cycle and you’ll start seeing positive movement in your score.

Final Thoughts – DPD Is Just a Snapshot, Not the Whole Picture

DPD in CIBIL may seem like a minor detail, but it carries real weight. It’s a record of how reliably you’ve handled past obligations. For lenders, that’s the most reliable indicator of how you’ll manage future loans.

So, take control early. Check CIBIL score regularly, understand where you fall in the CIBIL score range, and take steps to increase CIBIL score with steady, positive credit behaviour. Whether you’re planning a big purchase or simply want peace of mind, staying on top of your DPD entries is a step in the right direction.