How long do late payments affect a credit score?

Late payments typically stay on your credit report and affect your credit score for up to seven years from the date of the first delinquency. In India, credit bureaus like CIBIL maintain this history to help lenders assess your repayment behavior. Key impacts include:

• Immediate drop: A single payment delayed by over 30 days can significantly lower your score.
• Gradual recovery: The negative impact reduces over time as you maintain a consistent record of on-time payments.
• Future credit: Persistent delays can make it harder to secure loans or credit cards.