Omozing Answers › Credit scores and bureaus

How do I build a credit score with no credit history?

In short: Open one small, low-risk credit product, use it lightly and pay it on time, every time. With no history your report shows NH or -1, which means “no history”, not a bad score. Once your first account is reported, you move to NA or 0 (too little recent history to score), and after about six months of activity the bureaus can usually give you a real score. A secured credit card against a fixed deposit is the simplest starting point for most people.

Written by the Omozing Credit Team · Reviewed for accuracy by our credit and compliance team · Updated October 2026

From no history to your first score

The three stages of a new credit file

NH / -1 No credit history No loan or card reported yet NA / 0 Too little recent history to score First account opened 300–900 Your first score After about 6 months of reported activity

Timings vary by bureau and by how your lender reports. Your first score depends on how you handled those early months, so on-time payments from day one matter.

NH and NA are not penalties. They simply tell a lender there isn’t enough data. Some lenders will still say no because they can’t assess you, which is why it is worth building a file before you need a big loan. More detail: what -1 or NH means.

Good first products, and what to watch

Secured credit card

Issued against a fixed deposit, so approval is easier. Use it for one or two regular bills and pay the full statement on time.

Card from your salary bank

Your bank already sees your income. An entry-level card with a modest limit is a common first step for salaried people.

Small consumer durable EMI

A phone or appliance on EMI from a regulated lender creates a repayment record. Only buy what you planned to buy anyway.

Loan apps and BNPL

Some report to bureaus, some don’t, and short, costly loans that roll over can do more harm than good. Check the lender is RBI-regulated. Spot a risky app.

What most people get wrong: they assume that never borrowing means a perfect score. A clean file with nothing in it gives lenders no evidence at all. Paying rent and utility bills on time is good discipline, but those payments usually aren’t reported to credit bureaus, so they don’t build a score on their own.

Six habits for your first year

If you need a loan before your score appears

Lenders that require a score will find it hard to approve you on your own. The practical route is a co-applicant with an established history, such as a spouse or parent, which gives the lender a track record to assess. Omozing’s criteria start from a credit score of 600 for salaried applicants with take-home of ₹40,000 or more, and we welcome co-applicants. Once your own score appears, you can apply in your own name.

Building your first score?

See what lenders look for, and how a co-applicant can strengthen an application in the meantime.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a credit score from scratch?

Usually about six months after your first account starts being reported. Until then your report may show NA or 0, which means too little recent history to score.

Is NH or -1 a bad CIBIL score?

No. It means no credit history, not poor history. Some lenders won’t lend without a score, but it is not a negative mark.

Does a debit card or savings account build credit?

No. Debit cards and savings accounts are not credit, so they are not reported to credit bureaus as borrowing.

What is the easiest credit card to get with no history?

A secured card against a fixed deposit is usually the easiest, followed by an entry-level card from the bank where your salary is credited.

Can I get a personal loan with no credit history?

It is difficult on your own, because many lenders require a score. Applying with a co-applicant who has a good history, or building a score first, are the usual routes.

Next questions people ask:

What does a CIBIL score of -1 or NH mean? What is credit utilisation, and why does 30% matter? What is a CIBIL score?

Omozing is the digital lending brand of Aparampaar Finance Private Limited, an RBI-registered non-deposit-taking NBFC. Loans are subject to credit assessment. See our regulatory disclosures and grievance redressal process.