Does Checking Your CIBIL Score Reduce It? Soft Inquiry vs Hard Inquiry

There is a lot of confusion around one simple question: "Does checking your CIBIL score reduce it?" The confusion exists because there are actually two different kinds of checks — and they work very differently. This article explains both in the simplest way possible, so you never have to wonder "does checking CIBIL score affect CIBIL score" again.

Soft Inquiry — You Checking Yourself (Zero Impact)

A soft inquiry (also called a soft pull) is when you check your own credit report. Many people worry "does checking CIBIL score reduce the score" — but with a soft inquiry, the answer is always no. It is like stepping on a weighing scale at home — you see the number, but nobody else is notified, and the scale does not break.

Soft inquiries never lower your CIBIL score, no matter how many you do. They are not visible to banks or lenders. Only you can see them on your report. So if you are asking "does checking CIBIL score reduce it" — with a soft inquiry, it simply does not.

Examples of soft inquiries:

• Checking your score on the official CIBIL website or an app
• A service like PL-NANBAN checking your eligibility before connecting you to a bank
• Your existing bank reviewing your account (account maintenance check)

Hard Inquiry — A Lender Checking You (Can Reduce Score)

A hard inquiry (also called a hard pull) happens when a bank, NBFC, or credit card company checks your report because you have applied for credit. To the question "does checking CIBIL score affect it" — a hard inquiry can affect it, lowering your score by 5-10 points temporarily. Hard inquiries stay on your CIBIL report for two years. Multiple hard inquiries in a short period make you look like a risky borrower.

Examples of hard inquiries:

• Submitting a personal loan application on a bank website
• Applying for a new credit card
• Taking a home loan or auto loan from any lender

Is Checking CIBIL Score Bad? — The Myth Explained

Many borrowers wonder "is checking CIBIL score bad" because they have heard stories about scores dropping after a check. Here is what actually happens: Some loan comparison websites say "free check — no impact on your score" but then pass your details to multiple banks who each perform a hard inquiry. Before you know it, five hard inquiries show up on your report even though you only filled out one form. That is where the myth comes from.

PL-NANBAN does pre-screening using a soft inquiry process only. Your score is never touched until you personally decide to proceed with a specific bank.

Does CIBIL Score Reduce If We Check It? — Final Answer

To the question "does CIBIL score reduce if we check it" — the answer depends on who checks. If you check your own score through a trusted service, it will not reduce. If a lender checks it as part of a loan application, it may reduce slightly. The key is to always use soft-inquiry services when you are just exploring your options.

If you are planning to take a personal loan soon, here is what to remember:

• Do check your own CIBIL score first — it is free and safe
• Do check soft-eligibility through a trusted service before applying anywhere
• Do not apply to multiple banks at the same time — each one causes a hard inquiry
• Do not fall for "free score check" offers from unfamiliar apps that ask for your PAN and consent to share it with lenders