Needing quick funds without collateral? Personal loans are your ticket—but choosing the right lender makes a major difference. In 2025, interest rates have stabilized between 9.75% and 11%, with instant approval ranging from minutes to a few hours. This guide highlights top options and key takeaways to secure the best deal.
💡 Why Compare Personal Loans?
Personal loans are unsecured, meaning lenders assess risk based on your credit score, income, and repayment history. That often translates to higher interest than secured loans. Still, competitive rates across banks and NBFCs make them a popular choice for medical bills, education, travel, home renovation, or debt consolidation.
As of May 2025, personal loan rates remain attractive thanks to low repo rates, though interest hasn’t fallen as sharply as home loans (Source: turn0news12).
🏦 Top Banks with Lowest Interest Starting Rates
According to Mint’s May & June 2025 reports, the following banks offer the most competitive personal loan rates:
-
HDFC Bank: from 10.85–10.90% p.a.
-
ICICI Bank: from 10.85% p.a.
-
SBI: from 10.30–11.45% p.a.
-
Kotak Mahindra: from 10.99% p.a.
-
Axis Bank: from 11.25% p.a.
-
IDFC FIRST: from 9.99–10.99% p.a.
-
Others: Yes Bank, Federal Bank, IndusInd, Bank of Maharashtra provide similar rates (Source: turn0search0, turn0search2, turn0search5).
These rates apply to borrowers with excellent credit histories (>750 CIBIL) and stable income.
💰 Other Worthy Lenders
-
Bank of Maharashtra offers 9.75% p.a. for eligible profiles (Source: turn0search4, turn0search9).
-
Indian Bank starts at 9.75% p.a., making public sector banks competitive (Source: turn0search9).
-
IDFC FIRST offers 9.99% with flexible tenures up to 7 years (Source: turn0search2, turn0search5).
-
Bajaj Finance begins at 10% p.a., with rapid disbursement—ideal if you meet their criteria (Source: turn0search2, turn0search11).
🚀 Instant Approval NBFC & Fintech Options
If you need money fast, NBFCs and fintech platforms are worth considering:
-
MoneyView, CASHe, PaySense, and EarlySalary provide instant digital loans from ₹5,000 to ₹5 lakh with approvals within minutes to a few hours (Source: turn0search7, turn0reddit24).
-
Kissht, Navi, Dhani, and Hero FinCorp are other players offering digital loans with quick digital disbursal (Source: turn0search14, turn0search18, turn0search17, turn0search19).
Note: Interest can range between 11–19% on these platforms depending on your profile; suitable for small, urgent fund needs.
📊 Comparison at a Glance
| Lender | Interest Rate | Max Loan | Tenure | Approx Processing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDFC FIRST Bank | 9.99% onwards | ₹40 lakh | 1–7 years | ~2% |
| Indian & Bank of Maharashtra | 9.75%–15% | ₹20 lakh | 1–7 years | ~1% |
| HDFC / ICICI / Axis / Kotak | 10.85–11.25% | ₹40–50 lakh | 1–5 years | Up to ₹6,500 or 2% |
| SBI | 10.30% onwards | ₹35 lakh | 1–7 years | ~1% |
| Bajaj Finance (NBFC) | 10–10.50% | ₹55 lakh | Up to 8 years | ~3.93% |
| MoneyView / CASHe etc. | 12–24% (varies) | ₹30,000–5 lakh | Less than 1 year | Varies |
✅ Tips to Get the Best Deal
-
Boost Credit Score – ≥750 unlocks lowest rates.
-
Shop Around – Compare CIBIL-based offers using platforms like BankBazaar, PaisaBazaar.
-
Use Existing Relationships – Your bank or salary account often yields better offers.
-
Choose Shorter Tenure – Lower interest cost, but higher EMI.
-
Look for Waivers – Some banks waive processing fees or offer zero prepayment charges.
-
Beware Hidden Fees – Check for prepayment penalties, foreclosure charges, and rate resets.
🛠️ How to Apply for a Personal Loan
-
Check eligibility online (age, income, credit score).
-
Pre-approval can give access to lower rates.
-
Upload digital KYC documents like Aadhaar, PAN, income proofs.
-
Ensure approved EMI fits monthly budget (ideally <40% of monthly income).
-
Track disbursal time—banks take a day or two; NBFCs and fintech can disburse in hours.
🎯 When to Choose Which Option?
-
Need ₹20–40 lakh? Use SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Kotak for lowest rates.
-
Small urgent needs (<₹5 lakh)? MoneyView or CASHe offer instant disbursal but higher/APR.
-
Flexi repayment and long tenure (>5 years)? Bajaj Finance, IDFC FIRST.
🚩 Beware Rising Rates
Recent RBI repo decisions may lead to rate resets. As of June 2025, reductions in bank MCLR were reported at HDFC, Canara, and BoB (Source: turn0news13). Monitor your lender’s MCLR announcements to avoid surprises.
📝 Final Thoughts
The best personal loans in 2025 start as low as 9.75% p.a., depending on your creditworthiness and lender. For high-ticket loans, established banks remain best. For quick, small needs, fintech and NBFCs offer fast convenience, albeit at higher cost. Always compare rates, tenure, and fees before you apply.
Additional References
-
Personal loan rates as of May 2025: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/borrow/personal-loan-interest-rates-may-2025-which-bank-is-offering-the-lowest-interest-rate/articleshow/120931128.cms
-
Rate updates following June 2025 MCLR cuts: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/borrow/latest-loan-rates-in-june-2025-sbi-vs-hdfc-vs-canara-vs-bob-vs-pnb-which-banks-offers-the-lowest-rates/articleshow/121881822.cms