What is DPD (Days Past Due) in the CIBIL Report?

Posted on Monday, January 29th, 2024 | By IndusInd Bank

DPD, or Days Past Due, shows how many days a payment on a loan or credit card was late during a reported month. It appears in the payment-history section of your CIBIL report.

DPD is not the same as your CIBIL score. However, it gives lenders an idea of how regularly you repay your credit card bills, EMIs, or other credit obligations.

Understanding DPD (Days Past Due) in a CIBIL Report

A DPD entry compares your payment date with the due date set by the lender.

If you pay on or before the due date, the account is generally reported as 000 or STD. If you pay late, the report can show the number of days by which the payment was delayed.

For example, a DPD value of 030 generally indicates that the payment was 30 days late for that reporting period. A higher number usually indicates a longer delay.

DPD is different from the amount overdue. The amount overdue tells you how much remains unpaid, while DPD tells you how late the payment was.

The Impact of DPD on Your Credit Score

Payment history is an important factor in your CIBIL score. Recent, repeated, or serious late payments can negatively affect your score and credit profile.

A high or frequent DPD can also:

• Make it harder to get a loan or credit card
• Reduce the chances of approval
• Lead to stricter loan terms
• Result in a higher interest rate
• Reduce the credit limit offered by a lender
• Increase the time needed to rebuild your credit history

A single late payment does not decide your entire credit profile. Lenders also consider your income, existing debt, credit utilisation, repayment capacity, account age, and recent credit enquiries.

The impact of DPD depends on how recent the delay is, how often it has occurred, how long the payment remained overdue, and whether the account was later regularised.

How Is DPD (Days Past Due) Calculated?

DPD is usually calculated through the following steps:

1. The lender sets a payment due date for your EMI or credit card bill.
2. The lender records the date on which the payment is received or credited.
3. The number of days between the due date and recorded payment date is calculated.
4. The lender reports the payment status to the credit bureau for the relevant period.

If the payment is made on time, the account may show 000 or STD. If it is paid after the due date, a numerical DPD value can be reported.

The exact entry depends on the lender’s records, reporting cycle, and the information shared with CIBIL. If you believe the reported DPD is incorrect, compare it with your payment receipt and bank statement before raising a dispute.

Elements of DPD and what each value implies

The DPD section can contain numbers, standard-status codes, or asset-classification codes.

• 000: The payment was reported as made according to the due date, with no late payment shown for that month.
• STD: The account is reported as standard. CIBIL guidance generally treats 000 and STD as positive payment-history entries.
• Numeric value: A number such as 030, 060, or 090 generally indicates that the payment was late by 30, 60, or 90 days.
• XXX: Information for that month was not reported to CIBIL by the lender. It does not automatically mean that the payment was late.
• SMA: Special Mention Account. This indicates that the account requires attention and may be moving towards a sub-standard classification.
• SUB: Sub-standard account classification.
• DBT: Doubtful account classification.
• LSS: Loss classification, generally used when the lender identifies the amount as difficult to recover.

The exact meaning of an entry should be checked against the report details and lender records. A DPD number, asset classification, account status, and amount overdue are separate parts of your credit information.

Managing DPD: How to Improve CIBIL Score with a High DPD

A high DPD can be improved over time by clearing overdue amounts and building a consistent repayment record. Start by understanding which account is showing the delayed payment and whether the information is accurate.

1.Make Timely Credit Payments

Set payment reminders or activate an auto-debit instruction for your EMIs and credit card bills.

Pay the full amount due whenever possible. If you cannot pay the full amount, pay at least the amount required by the lender by the due date. Interest and other charges can still apply when you pay only the minimum amount.

Keep sufficient funds in your repayment account and pay a few days before the due date when possible. This gives you time to handle bank holidays, technical issues, or payment failures.

2. Maintain a Healthy Credit Utilization Ratio

Credit utilisation is the portion of your available credit that you are using. Using a large part of your credit limit regularly can make you appear financially stretched.

Keep your outstanding credit card balance manageable and avoid using your entire available limit. Pay down balances regularly instead of waiting until they become difficult to clear.

Do not take additional credit simply to increase your total available limit. Borrow only when you can manage the repayment comfortably.

3. Review and Report Credit Report Errors

Check your CIBIL report for incorrect DPD entries, unfamiliar accounts, duplicate accounts, wrong payment dates, or accounts that should have been closed.

If you find an error:

• Collect payment receipts, bank statements, and lender correspondence
• Contact the lender and ask it to verify the information
• Raise a dispute with CIBIL if the information remains incorrect
• Keep the complaint reference number and supporting documents safely

CIBIL receives account information from lenders, so the lender may need to confirm and correct the record.

4. Keep Credit Accounts Active

A well-managed older account can contribute to the length of your credit history. Avoid closing an old account with a clean repayment record without considering how it may affect your overall credit profile.

At the same time, do not keep an account that you cannot manage or that carries unaffordable charges. Review the account terms and close or restructure credit only after understanding the consequences.

5. Build and Maintain a Strong Credit History

Use credit only for planned expenses and keep your total repayment obligations within your budget.

Avoid applying for several loans or credit cards within a short period. Multiple lender enquiries can make it appear that you are seeking excessive credit.

If you already have overdue amounts, contact the lender and ask about the available repayment process. After clearing the dues, check that the account status and payment history are updated correctly in your CIBIL report.

Move Forward with Better Credit Habits

DPD reflects past repayment behaviour, but it does not permanently define your financial profile. Clear overdue payments, correct inaccurate entries, reduce high balances, and make every future payment on time.

Improvement takes consistency. Whether you use a loan or an IndusInd Bank Credit Card, track the due date, review your statements, and borrow only what you can repay comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What does “000” or “STD” mean in the DPD section of a CIBIL report?

“000” generally means that no late payment was reported for that month. STD means the account was reported as standard. These entries do not mean that the account has no balance; they describe the reported repayment status.

Q2. How long does DPD information remain visible in a CIBIL report?

CIBIL report formats commonly show payment history for recent reporting periods, including up to 36 months in the payment-history section. The account itself can remain visible after closure, depending on the lender’s reporting and the bureau’s records.

Check the specific account in your report. If an old or incorrect DPD entry is still appearing, raise the matter with the lender and CIBIL.

Q3. Do Banks check DPD before approving a loan or credit card?

Yes. Banks can review DPD and other payment-history details before approving a loan or credit card. They also consider your CIBIL score, income, existing obligations, credit utilisation, and application details.

Q4. Do lenders check DPD before approving a loan or credit card?

Yes. Lenders generally examine repayment history, including DPD entries, when assessing a credit application. A recent or repeated late-payment record may affect the decision, but the final outcome depends on the lender’s credit policy and your complete financial profile.