Question 1

How is EMI calculated?

Accepted Answer

EMI is calculated using formula: EMI = [P × R × (1+R)^N] / [(1+R)^N-1], where P = Principal loan amount, R = Monthly interest rate (Annual rate / 12 / 100), N = Loan tenure in months. Example: ₹10 lakh loan at 8% for 10 years = EMI ₹12,133. Total payment = ₹14.56 lakh (Interest = ₹4.56 lakh). Use an EMI calculator for instant results.

Question 2

What is a good EMI to salary ratio?

Accepted Answer

Financial experts recommend keeping total EMI under 40-50% of monthly income. Conservative approach: 30-40% for single loan, 40-50% for multiple loans. Example: Salary ₹50,000/month = Max EMI ₹20,000-₹25,000. Banks typically approve loans with EMI up to 50-60% of income but maintaining lower ratio gives financial cushion. Include all EMIs (home, car, personal) in calculation.

Question 3

Should I prepay my loan or invest?

Accepted Answer

Compare loan interest rate with expected investment returns: (1) If loan rate > investment return: Prepay (e.g., 12% personal loan vs 10% mutual fund return), (2) If investment return > loan rate: Invest (e.g., 7% home loan vs 12% equity return). Consider: Home loan interest gives tax benefit (₹2L under Section 24), Personal loans have no tax benefit - prepay first, Emergency fund is more important than prepayment. Hybrid approach: 50% prepayment + 50% investment often works best.

Question 4

What is amortization schedule?

Accepted Answer

Amortization schedule shows month-wise breakup of EMI into principal and interest components. Initially, most EMI goes toward interest. As loan progresses, principal component increases. Example: ₹10L loan, 8%, 10 years. Month 1: EMI ₹12,133 (Interest ₹6,667, Principal ₹5,466) | Month 60: EMI ₹12,133 (Interest ₹4,120, Principal ₹8,013) | Month 120: EMI ₹12,133 (Interest ₹80, Principal ₹12,053). This is why early prepayment saves maximum interest.

Question 5

How does prepayment reduce loan tenure?

Accepted Answer

Prepayment reduces outstanding principal, which reduces future interest. Two options: (1) Reduce EMI, keep tenure same, (2) Keep EMI same, reduce tenure. Reducing tenure saves more interest. Example: ₹10L, 8%, 10 years, EMI ₹12,133. After 1 year, prepay ₹1L: Option 1 - EMI becomes ₹10,800 (saves ₹1.2L interest) | Option 2 - Tenure reduces to 7.5 years (saves ₹1.5L interest). Annual prepayments of 10-20% can cut tenure in half.

Question 6

What are the types of loans and their interest rates?

Accepted Answer

Current interest rates in India (2025): Home Loan: 8-9.5% (lowest rates, tax benefits available), Car Loan: 8.5-11%, Education Loan: 9-12% (subsidized govt loans at 4-7%), Personal Loan: 10.5-18% (highest rates, no collateral), Gold Loan: 9-14%, Business Loan: 11-24%. Best to worst order for borrowing: Home loan (lowest rate + tax benefit) > Education loan > Car loan > Gold loan > Personal loan (highest rate). Always negotiate rates with banks.

Question 7

What is the difference between fixed and floating interest rates?

Accepted Answer

Fixed Rate: Interest rate remains same throughout loan tenure. EMI doesn't change. Good when rates are expected to rise. Slightly higher than floating rates. Floating Rate: Interest rate changes based on repo rate/MCLR. EMI changes with rate changes. Usually 0.25-0.5% lower than fixed. Good for long-term loans. Current trend: Most home loans are floating. Banks link to Repo Rate (transparent). Can switch from floating to fixed (small fee). For 20+ year loans, floating usually saves more despite rate fluctuations.