Taking a Gold Loan in India: A Quick Guide
A gold loan is a secured loan where you pledge gold jewelry or coins (typically 18-24 karat) as collateral to borrow cash quickly—ideal for emergencies or business needs. It's offered by banks (e.g., SBI, HDFC, ICICI) and NBFCs (like Muthoot and Kannattu ), with loan amounts up to ₹50 lakhs or more, at rates of 8-27% p.a. (2025 averages: 8.3-18%). Under RBI's 2025 guidelines, loans cap at 75% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, emphasize cash-flow assessments, and monitor fund usage for transparency. Step-by-Step Process 1. Check Eligibility: Be an Indian resident aged 18-75 (varies by lender), with gold ownership. No income proof needed for small loans, but a good CIBIL score helps rates. 2. Gather Documents: KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID), 2 photos, and gold details. Minimal paperwork—often just ID/address proof. 3. Apply: Visit a branch or apply online (e.g., HDFC/ICICI portals...