What to expect
- A secured credit card against a fixed deposit builds a score in about six months
- Small consumer durable loans repaid on time establish a record quickly
- Salary account relationships often unlock a pre-approved first loan
- A thin file is not a bad file — do not accept punitive rates because of it
Documents you will need
- PAN and Aadhaar
- Salary slips or income proof
- Last 6 months bank statements
Work out the numbers first
Before you apply anywhere, check what your income supports with the eligibility calculator, and what it will cost with the EMI calculator. Applying blind and being declined leaves a mark on your credit file that the next lender can see.