This document discusses credit ratings. It defines a credit rating as an opinion on the risk of default for a debt instrument, assessed based on financial history and assets/liabilities. Credit ratings are issued by agencies and aim to improve borrower discipline, facilitate investment guidelines, and potentially lower interest costs for highly rated companies. The major credit rating agencies in India are CRISIL, ICRA, and CARE. Credit ratings establish a link between risk and return, providing a yardstick for risk assessment and allowing investors to compare risk levels to expected returns. The main types of ratings are sovereign, short-term, and corporate credit ratings.