Factors That Influence Your Personal Loan Eligibility
While your monthly income is a primary consideration, lenders evaluate multiple factors before approving a personal loan. Understanding these will help you make an informed decision.
1. Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) or FOIR
Most banks and NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) use the Fixed Obligations to Income Ratio (FOIR) to assess your repayment capacity. FOIR measures the proportion of your monthly income that goes toward repaying existing loans and other obligations.
- A FOIR of 50% is generally considered safe, meaning no more than half of your income should go toward EMIs.
- For a salary of ₹70,000, your maximum permissible EMI is ₹35,000.
2. Credit Score
Your credit score reflects your creditworthiness. A higher score indicates timely repayment of past obligations, improving your chances of approval and enabling you to secure better interest rates.
- A score above 750 usually results in favorable loan terms.
- Scores below 700 may still qualify, but interest rates can be higher.
3. Existing Financial Liabilities
Any existing loans, credit card dues, or other EMIs reduce your borrowing capacity. Lenders calculate your eligible loan amount by subtracting current obligations from the maximum allowable FOIR.
4. Loan Tenure
The loan tenure significantly impacts your EMI. Longer tenures reduce your monthly repayment burden, allowing you to qualify for a higher loan amount.
- Example: A 5-year (60-month) tenure offers a lower EMI compared to a 3-year (36 months) tenure for the same loan amount.
5. Interest Rate
Interest rates directly affect both EMI and total repayment. A competitive interest rate allows you to borrow more without stretching your monthly budget.
- In our example, we assume an interest rate of 10.99% per annum, which is common for salaried borrowers with good credit.
How Much Personal Loan Can You Get on a ₹70,000 Salary?
Using the assumptions below, let’s estimate your maximum personal loan eligibility:
- Monthly Salary: ₹70,000
- FOIR: 50%
- Maximum EMI: ₹35,000
- Loan Tenure: 5 years (60 months)
- Interest Rate: 10.99%
Using a standard EMI formula or an online personal loan calculator, the maximum loan you can secure is approximately ₹16,54,000.
Pro Tip: Lenders may slightly adjust this amount based on your credit score, employment stability, and other financial obligations.
EMI Calculation for a ₹16,54,000 Loan
Let’s understand how the EMI is calculated:
EMI=P×r×(1+r)n(1+r)n−1EMI = P times r times race {(1 + r)^n}{(1 + r)^n - 1}EMI=P×r×(1+r)n−1(1+r)n
Where:
- P = Principal loan amount (₹16,54,000)
- r = Monthly interest rate (10.99% ÷ 12 = 0.009158)
- n = Loan tenure in months (60)
Using the formula, your monthly EMI will be roughly ₹35,000, which fits perfectly within your FOIR limit.
Eligibility Criteria for a Personal Loan on ₹70,000 Salary
While your income supports a substantial loan, lenders also consider other eligibility parameters:
- Age: 21 to 60 years
- Job Stability: At least 2–3 years of employment, with 6–12 months in the current organization
- Credit Score: Preferably 750+ for attractive interest rates
- Location: Certain lenders prioritize urban locations or metro-based borrowers
Meeting these criteria increases the likelihood of faster loan approval.
Documents Required for Personal Loan Application
Lenders require a set of standard documents to verify your identity, income, and employment:
- Identity Proof: PAN card, Aadhaar card, Passport, or Voter ID
- Address Proof: Utility bills, passport, or rental agreement
- Income Proof: Last 3 months’ salary slips, last 6 months’ bank statements
- Employment Proof: Offer letter or employment certificate
- Photographs: Passport-sized photos
Having these documents ready can speed up the approval process and even help you secure instant personal loans in some cases.
How to Calculate Your Loan Amount
If you want a quick estimate of the personal loan you can get:
- Determine your FOIR: Most lenders cap it at 50% of your salary
- Check your EMIs: Sum up existing financial obligations
- Use a personal loan EMI calculator: Input your salary, desired tenure, and interest rate
- Adjust based on your credit score and bank policies
For instance, with a ₹70,000 salary, a 50% FOIR, a 5-year tenure, and 10.99% interest, you can afford a loan around ₹16.5 lakh, as shown earlier.
Tip: Always consider slightly lower EMIs than the maximum limit to maintain a comfortable repayment buffer.
Benefits of a Personal Loan on a ₹70,000 Salary
A personal loan offers multiple advantages for salaried individuals:
- Unsecured Financing: No collateral required, unlike a home or car loan
- Flexible Use: Funds can be used for medical emergencies, travel, home improvement, or debt consolidation
- Quick Approval: With proper documentation and a good credit score, approvals can happen in 24–48 hours
- Customizable Tenure: Lenders offer 1–5 year tenures depending on your repayment capacity
- Boost Financial Goals: Enables you to invest in opportunities without dipping into savings
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Personal Loan
Even with a healthy salary, many borrowers make mistakes that affect their loan eligibility:
- Applying for Excessive Loan Amounts: Borrowing more than your repayment capacity can lead to defaults
- Ignoring the Interest Rate: Focus not only on the loan amount but also on total repayment
- Overlooking Hidden Fees: Processing fees and prepayment charges can increase the loan cost
- Neglecting Credit Score Maintenance: A lower credit score results in higher interest rates and lower loan eligibility
By avoiding these pitfalls, you can secure a loan that aligns with your financial goals.
Tips to Maximize Your Loan Eligibility
Here are practical ways to borrow a higher amount without increasing financial risk:
- Maintain a High Credit Score: Pay EMIs and credit card bills on time
- Reduce Existing Debt: Clear smaller loans or credit card dues before applying
- Opt for Longer Tenure: Lower EMIs increase your borrowing capacity
- Provide Accurate Documentation: Complete and consistent documents improve approval chances
- Compare Lenders: Different banks and NBFCs may offer varying interest rates and terms
Why Using an EMI Calculator is Important
A personal loan EMI calculator is a simple yet effective tool:
- Plan Your Budget: Know exactly how much monthly repayment fits your income
- Compare Loan Offers: Evaluate different interest rates and tenures for the same loan amount
- Avoid Over-Borrowing: Ensures EMIs stay within FOIR limits, reducing financial stress
Real-Life Example: Personal Loan on ₹70,000 Salary
Let’s consider a practical scenario:
- Salary: ₹70,000 per month
- Existing EMIs: ₹10,000 (car loan)
- FOIR: 50%
Step 1: Calculate remaining EMIs you can afford
- 50% of ₹70,000 = ₹35,000
- Already committed EMIs = ₹10,000
- Remaining capacity = ₹25,000
Step 2: Calculate maximum loan
- Using 10.99% interest rate and 5-year tenure, the remaining EMI of ₹25,000 translates into a loan of roughly ₹11.8 lakh
This shows how existing financial commitments impact your borrowing capacity, even with a good salary.