Your Complete Guide to Loans in India: Types, Eligibility, Benefits & Tips

Taking a loan is one of the most common financial decisions people make today, whether it’s to start a business, buy a home, manage education expenses, or handle emergencies. With multiple loan options available, choosing the right one can feel confusing—especially if it’s your first time applying.

This guide will help you understand the types of loans, eligibility, documents, benefits, and tips to get a loan approved easily in India.


1️⃣ What Is a Loan?

A loan is a borrowed sum of money from a bank, NBFC, or financial institution that must be repaid with interest within a specific tenure.

Loans can be divided into two major categories:

Type Characteristics
Secured Loans Require collateral (property, gold, vehicle).
Unsecured Loans No collateral required; based on income and credit score.

2️⃣ Types of Loans in India

Personal Loan

Best for medical expenses, travel, home repairs, weddings, or emergencies.

  • No collateral
  • Flexible use

Home Loan

Designed for buying, constructing, or renovating a house.

  • Low interest rates
  • Long repayment tenure (up to 30 years)

Business Loan

Ideal for startups, expansion, working capital, or equipment purchases.

  • Can be secured or unsecured
  • Often requires business documents

Education Loan

Helps students cover tuition, books, and accommodation.

  • Moratorium period available until course completion

Gold Loan

Borrow by pledging gold jewelry or coins.

  • Quick approval
  • Lower interest rates

Vehicle Loan

For purchasing two-wheelers, four-wheelers, or commercial vehicles.


3️⃣ Minimum Eligibility for Loan

Eligibility varies by loan type, but common criteria include:

  • Age: 21–60 years
  • Steady income (salary or business)
  • Valid ID, address proof & bank statements
  • Good credit score (650+ recommended)

4️⃣ Important Documents Required

Document Type Examples
Identity Proof Aadhaar, PAN, Passport
Address Proof Utility Bill, Voter ID
Income Proof Salary slips, ITR, GST returns
Bank Statements Last 3–12 months

5️⃣ Benefits of Taking a Loan

  • Helps manage big expenses without financial stress
  • Can improve credit score when repaid on time
  • Flexible repayment options
  • Quick processing (especially personal and gold loans)

6️⃣ Smart Tips to Get Loan Approval Faster

🔹 Check and improve your CIBIL score
🔹 Choose a loan EMI amount you can comfortably repay
🔹 Compare interest rates across lenders
🔹 Keep your documents ready
🔹 Avoid applying for multiple loans at once


💡 Final Thoughts

Loans can be powerful financial tools when used wisely. Whether you’re planning a purchase, growing a business, or handling an emergency, choosing the right loan with the best interest rate and repayment terms is essential.

If you’re unsure which loan is best for you, consult a financial expert or compare options before applying.


🚀 Want Help Getting the Right Loan?

We help you compare lenders and find the best interest rates, flexible EMI options, and fastest approval based on your needs.

👉 Apply Now and Get Quick Loan Approval!

How to Get a Business Loan for a Startup Without Collateral

Getting a business loan for a startup is tough—especially when you don’t have collateral to offer. But the good news? Many lenders in India now provide unsecured business loans designed specifically for new entrepreneurs. With the right preparation and approach, you can secure funding to grow your business without pledging assets.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get a business loan for a startup without collateral, the documents you need, eligibility criteria, and smart tips to increase your chances of approval.


1. Understand What an Unsecured Business Loan Is

An unsecured business loan is a type of loan where you don’t need to pledge property, machinery, or other assets as security. Lenders evaluate your creditworthiness, business potential, and financial discipline instead of collateral.

Common unsecured funding options for startups include:

  • Unsecured Term Loans
  • Line of Credit
  • Micro Loans
  • Government Schemes for MSMEs
  • Fintech Startup Loans

2. Know the Eligibility Criteria

Even without collateral, lenders expect basic financial stability and clarity. Eligibility typically includes:

  • A valid business registration
  • Minimum business vintage (6 months – 2 years depending on lender)
  • Good personal CIBIL score (650+ preferred)
  • Clear cash flow projections
  • A strong business plan

Some fintech lenders offer loans even with low business vintage if your digital revenue is consistent.


3. Prepare a Strong Business Plan

When you’re not offering collateral, your business plan becomes your biggest strength. It should clearly explain:

  • Your business model
  • Market opportunity
  • Revenue projections
  • Break-even timeline
  • How you plan to use the loan
  • Expected ROI

A well-prepared business plan increases lender confidence and improves your approval chances.


4. Improve Your CIBIL Score

Most lenders rely on your personal credit score for unsecured startup loans. A higher score means lower risk for lenders.

Tips to improve your score:

  • Pay all EMIs and credit card bills on time
  • Avoid applying for too many loans
  • Keep credit utilization below 30%
  • Check for CIBIL report errors

A score above 700 significantly boosts approval chances.


5. Explore Government Schemes for Startups

The Government of India offers several collateral-free loan programs for startups and small businesses:

a. CGTMSE Scheme

Offers collateral-free loans up to ₹2 crore for MSMEs through banks and NBFCs.

b. Stand-Up India Scheme

Provides loans to women entrepreneurs and SC/ST entrepreneurs.

c. PM Mudra Yojana

Gives collateral-free loans from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh under Shishu, Kishor, and Tarun categories.

These schemes have easier eligibility than private lenders.


6. Approach Fintech Lenders

Fintech companies offer fast, collateral-free business loans with minimal documentation. They analyze:

  • Bank statements
  • GST returns
  • Digital payments
  • Monthly revenue
  • Popular fintech lenders include:
  • Lendingkart
  • NeoGrowth
  • Indifi
  • FlexiLoans

They are ideal for startups with digital transactions and steady turnover.


7. Keep Documents Ready

Having complete documents speeds up your application and improves credibility.

Common requirements:

  • Aadhaar, PAN
  • Business registration certificate
  • Address proof
  • GST registration
  • Bank statements (6–12 months)
  • ITR (if available)
  • Business plan
  • Financial projections

8. Show a Clear Purpose for the Loan

Lenders want to know how the money will help your business grow. Clearly mention:

  • Buying inventory
  • Hiring staff
  • Marketing
  • Launching a new product
  • Expanding operations

Specific and measurable goals help build trust.


9. Maintain Healthy Cash Flow

Since there is no collateral, lenders rely heavily on cash flow analysis. Ensure:

  • Regular sales
  • Less bounced transactions
  • Clean bank statement patterns
  • Stable monthly income
  • Even if numbers are small, consistency matters more.

10. Apply Through a Reliable DSA or Loan Marketplace

A trusted loan DSA or marketplace can help you:

  • Compare lenders
  • Improve eligibility
  • Reduce rejection chances
  • Understand the best loan product

Websites like zestloans.in and DSA partners simplify the process.