Impact of Not Having a Credit Card on Credit Score
Yes, not having a credit card and availing of a personal loan in the last 12 to 15 years will certainly affect your credit score. While overusing a credit card is not advisable, not having a credit card is also not advisable; the caution you bring while using a credit card and paying the dues on time is what is really required.
A stranger comes and asks you for a loan of Rs. 1 lakh; you won't give it to him. However, if your close friend, whose credentials are very well known to you, asks you for Rs. 1 lakh which he promises to repay in 2 months, you'll give it without even demanding interest for the amount.
This is similar to what credit rating agencies do while ascertaining the creditworthiness of an individual. The loans an individual has availed, the kind of transactions, as well as the frequency of defaults and prompt payments, are tracked. Based on this information, the credit score is calculated.