BNPL Before 25? Your Credit Score May Be ₹0

India's Gen Z is borrowing through BNPL and EMI apps before ever getting a credit card. But many of these products don't build a CIBIL score — meaning young borrowers may have debt history but no credit profile when they actually need a loan.

Here's what happened: Gen Z borrowers are using BNPL, app-based EMIs, and small digital loans as their first credit products — well before a traditional credit card.. Unlike credit cards, many BNPL platforms do not report repayment data to credit bureaus like CIBIL, CRIF, or Experian, leaving no score trail.. When Gen Z applies for a home loan, car loan, or premium credit card, lenders often find a 'thin file' — too little formal credit history to assess risk..

What you should do: Check your CIBIL score for free at cibil.com or via your bank app — if it shows 'NH' or '-1', you have no credit history despite using BNPL.. Switch at least one recurring purchase to a secured or entry-level credit card and pay it in full monthly — this builds a real repayment track record.. Before using any BNPL or loan app, confirm whether it reports to a credit bureau — ask the lender directly or check their FAQs and terms..

Applying for a secured credit card against a fixed deposit (as low as ₹10,000) is the fastest way for a Gen Z earner to start building a CIBIL score from scratch — even with zero income proof.