Quick Summary
Understanding credit rating in India is vital for individuals and businesses seeking financial growth. A reliable credit rating agency assesses your creditworthiness, influencing loan approvals, investment opportunities, and interest rates. Whether you’re looking into business credit rating in India or exploring top credit rating agencies in India, having a good rating boosts your financial reputation. From personal loans to business funding, knowing how a credit rating agency in India operates can help you make informed financial decisions. This guide covers all you need to know to navigate credit scores, agencies like ICRA, and the difference between ratings and scores.
Your credit rating is an indicator of your financial risk for credit rating agencies. They assess your business and finance risk and other factors, such as your ability to repay debt to give you a rating.
This rating can then be used by lending entities to determine how much of a risk you pose. There are two types of credit rating in India:
Investment grade ratings indicate that the investment is reliable and the issuer is likely to fulfill repayment obligations. These investments are usually priced lower than speculative-grade investments.
Speculative-grade investments are high-risk investments that come with higher interest rates.
Credit Rating in India: People often use the terms credit rating and credit score interchangeably. The table below clarifies the key differences between the two to help you avoid confusion.
| Credit Rating | Credit Score |
| Credit ratings are assigned to corporate/government entities | Credit scores are assigned to individuals. |
| These are alphabetical codes that range from AAA to D | These are three-digit-long numeric codes that range from 300-900 |
| Credit ratings are looked at by stock market investors, other businesses, and investment banks | Lenders and potential guarantors look at credit scores |
In 2025, credit ratings have become more important than ever for Indian businesses. With stricter lending norms, increased investor scrutiny, and growing reliance on fintech platforms, a strong credit rating is a key to financial stability and growth.
Whether you’re seeking funding, scaling operations, or building long-term partnerships, your credit rating in 2025 plays a pivotal role in shaping your business’s financial future.
Major factors that affect the credit rating process in India:
The credit rating agency takes a close look at your company’s past when it comes to taking loans and making repayments. If you’re not up-to-date on payments, your credit rating can take a major hit.
The type of loans a company is servicing matters. If the company’s more focused on paying off secured loans, it’ll have a better credit rating overall. On the flip side, if the majority of the loan portfolio is made up of unsecured loans, it could take a toll on the rating.
A company’s potential future performance is taken into account when determining its rating. If the projections and current results look good, they’ll get a positive rating. If not, they’ll get a negative one.
Having a positive business credit rating offers various benefits to a company. A positive credit rating isn’t merely a statistic – it’s a pragmatic tool unlocking an array of opportunities.
A separate credit profile streamlines financial management, allowing businesses to monitor cash flow, expenses, and credit usage without the complications of intertwining personal finances. Having a business credit score can help you access credit for your business without leaning on your credit. A clear distinction between personal and business finances simplifies tax filing. Deductions, expenses, and income related to the business can be accurately reported. This separation ensures financial integrity and clarity in tracking transactions. Also, In the event of business debts or legal issues, personal assets are generally safeguarded.
In the dynamic landscape of business, securing financing is often a critical need. A positive credit rating can transform this challenge into an opportunity. A higher credit rating increases the likelihood of loan approval and may result in more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates.
A positive credit rating instills confidence, fostering positive relationships. Suppliers, eager to do business with reliable partners, are more likely to offer favorable payment terms and increased access to goods and services.
In the competitive marketplace, trust is a valuable currency. A strong credit profile sets businesses apart, signaling reliability and trustworthiness. This positive perception becomes a competitive advantage, attracting clients, investors, and collaborators.
Insurers often consider a company’s credit history when determining premiums. A positive credit rating can result in lower insurance costs, contributing to overall cost savings.
It is essential to maintain a good credit rating in India, It helps you to avail of business loans from NBFCs and other financial institutions. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your business credit high
It’s important to keep your credit balance low. Aim for a credit utilization rate of 30% or less. That means if you have a 10 lakh INR credit line, you should try to use no more than 3 lakh INR at any given time
If you need to withdraw more, you can, but be sure to pay it back promptly to keep your credit rating up.
Having a long credit history is a valuable asset for any business. Keeping your credit accounts open will demonstrate a level of stability to lenders.
It will also show that you’ve been trusted by your suppliers and vendors over a long period. Plus, you won’t lose out on the value of that history, as it can be included in your credit rating calculation
Having a good payment history is essential when it comes to applying for a business loan. Your credit report reflects your creditworthiness and helps lenders decide the terms, conditions, and interest you’re offered.
It records the credits taken, repayment of these loans, length of credit history, and your capability of repaying debt.
To ensure your payment history is in good standing, it’s important to pay your dues on time.
Being in debt can hurt your business credit rating and make lenders wary of working with your company.
Before taking out a new business loan, make sure to pay off any existing debts to keep your credit rating high. Managing your company’s debt efficiently is key to success!
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A credit rating agency in India is a company that evaluates and assigns credit ratings to individuals, companies, or even governments. They analyze financial history, repayment behavior, and other data to determine how likely a borrower is to repay their debts on time.
In India, well-known credit rating agencies for individuals include CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark. These agencies collect your credit information from banks, lenders, and financial institutions, then calculate your credit score and generate a credit report.
Lenders use these reports and scores from credit rating agencies to decide whether to approve loans and at what interest rates.
Credit rating agencies assess an individual’s or organization’s ability to repay debt by analyzing their financial behavior and credit history. They collect data from banks, lenders, and financial institutions about past loans, credit card usage, repayment patterns, outstanding debts, and defaults. Using this information, they calculate a credit score that reflects the risk level of lending to that person or entity. A higher score indicates a strong credit profile with a low risk of default, while a lower score signals higher risk. This evaluation helps lenders make informed decisions about approving loans and setting interest rates.
Credit Rating Agencies (CRA) are like the financial equivalent of the ‘judges of the court’. They weigh in on the creditworthiness of organizations and different entities. In simpler terms, these agencies analyze a debtor’s ability to repay the debt and rate their credit risk based on that.
SEBI is the regulator of credit rating agencies in India. Here are the top credit rating agencies in India:
CRISIL is a well-established credit rating in India. It was founded in 1987 and went public in 1993. In 2017 it acquired an 8.9% stake in the CARE credit rating agency. In 2018, CRISIL launched India’s first index to measure the performance of FPIs in the fixed-income market. CIRSIL’s portfolio is also diversified, offering services such as mutual fund rankings, ULIP rankings, and the CRISIL coalition index.
Established in 1991, ICRA Limited is a public limited company based in Gurugram, India. ICRA was initially a joint venture between Moody’s and several Indian financial and banking service organizations. It went public in April 2007. ICRA’s main shareholder is Moody’s Investors Service, an international credit rating agency. The ICRA Group has four subsidiaries. They offer a wide range of credit ratings including corporate debt, financial rating, and market-linked debentures.
CARE is an established credit rating agency founded in 1993 in Mumbai. It provides services such as corporate governance and financial sector ratings. Additionally, CARE offers valuation services. They include equity, debt instruments, and market-linked debentures.
Most recently, CARE launched ARC Ratings. ARC is their new international credit rating agency. It is in partnership with four other partners from South Africa, Brazil, Portugal, and Malaysia. ARC Ratings has already issued sovereign ratings for various countries, including credit rating in India.
Established in 2007, Brickwork Ratings is a Canara Bank-supported credit rating agency. The RBI also recognizes it as an External Credit Assessment Agency (ECAI). BWR has expertise across a wide range of industries, from banking and capital markets to real estate and education. Brickwork Ratings offers ratings for everything from bank loans and corporate governance to IREDA, MFI, and MNRE, and credit rating in India.
India Ratings is a subsidiary of the esteemed Fitch Group. It provides credit rating in India for a wide range of entities, including insurance companies, banks, and urban local bodies
India Ratings is recognized by SEBI. It also holds the distinction of being acknowledged by the RBI and the National Housing Bank.
We hope we’ve shed some light on the basics of credit ratings as well as the role of credit rating agencies in India.
Remember, it’s best to work with a qualified credit risk management advisor when assessing credit risk for a particular business. Doing this will ensure that you’re making the best-informed and most accurate decisions when it comes to the credit rating in India and the credit worthiness of your business.
Now, it’s time to take what you’ve learned and enlighten the business world with your newfound knowledge of Indian credit rating in India. After all, arming yourself with this information will give you an edge when running a successful business!
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In today’s evolving financial landscape, a strong credit rating in India plays a crucial role in unlocking growth opportunities for both individuals and businesses. Partnering with a trusted credit rating agency helps assess your financial health, build credibility, and secure favorable loan terms. Whether you’re analyzing your business credit rating in India or reviewing reports from top agencies like ICRA, maintaining a healthy credit profile ensures better financial decisions. As lending norms tighten and investor scrutiny increases, understanding and improving your credit rating is essential for long-term success. Stay informed, stay proactive, and let your credit rating work for you.
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As of the latest update, global agency Morningstar DBRS has upgraded India’s long-term credit rating from ‘BBB (low)’ to ‘BBB’, indicating improved financial stability. The short-term rating was also raised from R-2 (middle) to R-2 (high). This places India just below the ‘A’ rating tier, reflecting growing investor confidence.
Credit ratings in India are determined by evaluating factors like a company’s payment history, financial strength, debt levels, and business size. Rating agencies use both public data and internal financial records to assess a business’s creditworthiness. Ratings typically range from AAA (highest credit quality) to D (default risk).
Several key factors influence your business credit rating in India. These include your payment history (how consistently you repay loans and dues), credit utilization (how much credit you use compared to what’s available), and the size and financial profile of your business. Timely repayments and maintaining a low credit utilization ratio can help improve your overall credit score.
To maintain a strong credit rating, consistently pay your bills and EMIs on time, limit the number of loans or credit lines you take, and keep your credit utilization low. It’s also important to monitor your credit report regularly to spot any errors or signs of fraudulent activity that could negatively impact your score.
India has seven SEBI-registered credit rating agencies that assess the creditworthiness of businesses and governments. These include:
CRISIL, ICRA, CARE Ratings, India Ratings & Research, Brickwork Ratings, SMERA Ratings, and Infometrics Valuation and Rating.
They provide crucial insights for investors by evaluating financial risk and helping guide lending and investment decisions.
Yes, insurers often use credit history to decide premiums. A better credit rating can help reduce insurance costs for businesses.
Individuals usually receive credit scores (300–900) from agencies like CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark, which determine personal loan eligibility and interest rates.
The RBI has approved CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, India Ratings, Brickwork Ratings, SMERA, and Infomerics as credit rating agencies in India.
There are seven credit rating agencies in India approved by the RBI, including CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, India Ratings, Brickwork, SMERA (Acuité), and Infomerics.
The three major global credit rating agencies are Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s, and Fitch Ratings. They assess creditworthiness of countries, corporations, and financial instruments worldwide.
In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with financial and operational standards.
Authored by, Sakshi Arora
Digital Content Writer
Sakshi is a Content Creator and Strategist who specializes in crafting well-researched content across diverse topics including economics, finance, health, and more. She brings a fresh perspective to every piece she writes, always aiming to offer real value to her readers. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her curled up with a book—she’s a proud bookworm—or sipping on endless cups of chai, her favorite obsession.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
