Why are my CIBIL, Experian, and Equifax scores different? Which one do banks actually use?

[aniket001]

I’m seeing different credit scores across bureaus and wanted to understand how lenders interpret them.

Currently my scores are roughly:
• CIBIL – around 761
• Experian – around 775
• Equifax – around 789

I know each bureau uses a different scoring model, but when banks evaluate a credit card or loan application, which bureau do they usually prioritize?

Do lenders look at only one bureau (like CIBIL), or do they check multiple bureaus before approving?

Also, in cases where the scores vary by 20–30 points across bureaus, which one typically carries more weight in India?

 

[arjungoyal12]

Good question, a lot of people get confused when they see different scores across bureaus. In India, most lenders do not check all bureaus for every application. Usually, they pull a report from one bureau only, depending on which bureau they have a commercial relationship with or which one is integrated into their underwriting system.

In India, lenders don’t really prioritize one universal score across all bureaus the way consumers often think. Instead, most banks and NBFCs typically have a preferred bureau they pull by default, based on their internal integrations and historical data models. Anything 750+ across bureaus is generally considered excellent for most credit cards and loans in India.

Your scores (761–789 range) already fall into the very strong approval zone for most lenders.