7 Hidden Clauses in Personal Loans That Cost Indians Lakhs

My friend, Manish, took a ₹5 lakh personal loan to fund his sister’s wedding. He got the amount at an 11% interest rate, which seemed fair. 

But six months later, he was shocked to see ₹3,500 debited as a prepayment charge and another ₹1,200 for a “processing recheck.” Over three years, hidden fees cost him ₹28,000. It was nearly 6% of his loan amount.

Here’s a glimpse of what went wrong:

Many banks often hide important details about personal loans, leaving customers unaware of the full cost. For example, if a lender is charging ₹3,000 more than expected, why would anyone choose that loan knowingly?

To help you avoid such situations, we’ve created this article. Here, we’ll explain 7 hidden clauses in personal loan agreements that can cost you far more than you planned.

1. Prepayment Charges Might Nullify Your Savings

Neha, a teacher in Jaipur, got a ₹5 lakh personal loan at 12.5% for 4 years. After 18 months, she wanted to repay the entire balance. The bank charged a 4% prepayment penalty on the outstanding ₹3.1 lakh. That cost her ₹12,400. Here’s the table showing her finances.

2. Step-Up EMI Trap

Dinesh took a ₹4 lakh loan with a “step-up” EMI plan, starting at ₹6,000 per month. By the 7th month, EMI increased to ₹8,800, but his salary remained the same. Over 3 years, he paid ₹25,000 more than a flat EMI plan.

3. Foreclosure Not Allowed Before 12 EMIs

Everyone wants to relieve themselves of their ongoing loans, and that is why they go for early foreclosure. Sameer wanted to foreclose his ₹3 lakh loan in the 9th month. Many lenders do not allow the foreclosure before 12 months of EMI. So, he had to pay 3 more EMIs just to wait.

4. Penal Interest on Missed EMI 

You all are aware of the late fee on missed EMIs, but penal charges? Raj missed his ₹11,500 EMI by 4 days. Apart from a ₹500 late fee, the bank charged 2% penal interest per month on the overdue amount. This added ₹920 extra in one month.

5. Added Insurance Without Consent

Megha received a loan approval for ₹4 lakh but got only ₹3.85 lakh in her account. The bank deducted ₹15,000 for a loan insurance policy she never explicitly opted into. ‘Birthday gift mil gaya!’

6. Processing Fee + GST Not Fully Explained

While applying for the loan, no one tells you about the ‘minute charges’ and the GST applied on it. Alok assumed the processing fee on his ₹6 lakh loan was just ₹3,000 (0.5%). But with GST, he paid ₹540 more. His effective processing fee was ₹3,540, which was not disclosed previously.

7. EMI Bounce Charges 

If you have set your EMIs on autopay, you need to be vigilant about the amount present in your account. Arjun had insufficient balance on EMI day and was charged a ₹750 bounce fee by the lender and ₹350 by the bank. One missed EMI cost him ₹1,100 instantly.

Conclusion

‘Daya yahan kuch toh gadbad hai!’ Personal loans may look simple, but certain clauses can make you pay more than you agreed to. So, it becomes your responsibility to read the terms carefully. If you have any doubts, ask questions and do not forget to compare the lenders. ‘Savdhan rahiye, Satark rahiye, Jai Hind!’

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the bank take legal action for a Personal Loan?

Yes, a bank has the full authority to take legal action for a personal loan. This usually happens when there is a delay for 3 EMI. Lenders can file under Section 138 NI Act, repossess assets or initiate civil proceedings. 

2. Can I get a ₹20 lakh Personal Loan without collateral?

Yes, many banks and NBFCs offer unsecured personal loans up to ₹20 lakh for salaried individuals. Approval, interest rates and other loan terms depend on your income, credit score, and employment history. 

3. What is a Flexi Hybrid Loan?

It’s a loan where you pay interest-only EMIs during the initial period (typically 1–3 years), followed by normal EMIs. It is ideal for short-term cash flow. 

4. What if I lose my job and can’t pay EMIs?

Inform your lender immediately. Some banks offer EMI moratoriums or restructure terms under hardship clauses. Ignoring payments leads to late fees, a credit score drop, and possible legal action after 90+ days.

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About the Author

LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?