Business Loan Eligibility Requirements in 2025 – What You Need to Know

Priya is a passionate entrepreneur from Bengaluru who wants to expand her small textile business. She envisions opening new outlets across Karnataka but needs financial support to realise this dream. 

Like Priya, many Indian business owners are exploring loan options to fuel their ambitions. Understanding the eligibility requirements for business loans in 2025 is crucial for such aspirations.​

In India, business loans typically range from ₹5,00,000 to ₹2,00,00,000, with repayment tenures from 2 to 6 years. Interest rates vary between 14.99% and 26%, depending on the lender and the applicant's credit profile. 

A minimum annual turnover of ₹50,00,000 is often required, and processing fees range from 2% to 4% of the loan amount. Lenders generally prefer a CIBIL score of 700 or above.​

This surge shows the importance of understanding loan eligibility to capitalise on available financial opportunities.​

How to Qualify for a Business Loan in 2025?

Applying for a business loan in India can feel overwhelming, but understanding the requirements makes the process easier. 

Lenders check a few key things before approving a loan. If you meet these, your chances of getting the funds increase. Whether you are starting a new business or expanding an existing one, knowing these eligibility criteria will help you plan better. 

Read More - Fastest Way to Get a Business Loan

Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Minimum Credit Score Requirements

Think of a credit score as a report card for your financial habits. Banks and NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) use this score to check if you are responsible with money. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting a loan.

• Most lenders require a minimum CIBIL score of 700.
• A score above 750 can help you get lower interest rates.
• If your score is below 700, lenders may reject your application or charge a high interest rate.

Example: Ramesh, a trader from Delhi, applied for a ₹10,00,000 business loan. His CIBIL score was 650, so the bank offered him an interest rate of 24%. His friend, Ravi, had a 780 score and got the same loan at 16%. This shows why a good credit score matters.

How to Improve Your Credit Score:

1. Pay your credit card bills and EMIs on time.
2. Avoid taking too many loans at once.
3. Check your credit report regularly for mistakes.
4. Maintain a good balance between income and expenses.

2. Business Age and Operational History Criteria

Lenders prefer businesses with a stable track record. They check the length of the business's existence and whether it is making profits.

Key Requirements:

• Business should be at least 2 years old.
• Startups may need higher collateral or personal guarantees.
• Proof of business income, like GST returns and bank statements.
• Minimum annual turnover of ₹50,00,000.

Example of Two Businesses:
 

Documents Required for Business Loan

Getting a business loan requires proper paperwork. Missing documents can delay or even cancel the approval. Here’s an essential checklist:

KYC Documents: Aadhaar, PAN card, voter ID.
Business Proof: GST registration and business license.
Financial Statements: ITR for the last 2 years, bank statements, and balance sheets.
Loan Application Form: Properly filled and signed.

How to Increase Your Loan Eligibility

1. Keep financial records clear: Banks check bank statements, tax returns, and profit-loss reports.
2. Maintain a healthy cash flow: Ensure your business earns enough to repay the loan.
3. Reduce existing debt: Pay off smaller loans before applying for a new one.
4. Choose the right loan amount: If your business earns ₹60,00,000 a year, applying for ₹1,50,00,000 might be difficult. Instead, request an amount that matches your revenue.

Also Read –  Choose the Best Business Loan

3. Annual Revenue and Profitability Benchmarks

When banks or NBFCs approve business loans, they want to be sure the business can repay the amount on time. 

This is why annual revenue and profitability matter. A company with strong earnings and stable profits has a higher chance of getting a loan at a lower interest rate.

Minimum Revenue Requirements

Lenders usually require a business to have a minimum annual turnover of ₹50,00,000. The higher the revenue, the better the chances of approval. However, revenue alone is not enough—profitability is also checked.

Example of Two Businesses Applying for Loans

How to Improve Revenue and Profitability for Loan Approval
 

1. Increase Sales: Offer discounts, expand marketing efforts, or introduce new products/services.
2. Cut Unnecessary Costs: Reduce rent, negotiate supplier rates, or improve efficiency.
3. Show Proper Financial Records: Maintain GST returns, bank statements, and audited profit-loss reports.
4. Avoid Large Expenses Before Applying for a Loan: Lenders prefer businesses with stable financials.

4. Debt-to-income (DTI) and Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)

Banks don’t just check income; they also check how much of it is already used to pay other loans. This is called the Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). Lenders may hesitate to approve another loan if your business already has too much debt.

What is DTI, and how can it be calculated?

DTI is the percentage of your total income to repay existing loans.

Example: Two Businesses with Different DTIs

Most lenders prefer a DTI ratio below 40%. If your ratio is higher, paying off some loans before applying for a new one is better

What is the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)?

DSCR tells banks how much income your business has compared to debt payments. It is calculated as:
 

• A DSCR above 1.25 means the business has a strong cash flow to cover loan repayments.
• A DSCR below 1 means the business does not earn enough to repay loans quickly.
  
  Tip: To improve your DSCR, increase profits and reduce unnecessary debt before applying for a loan.

5. Collateral and Security Requirements for Secured Loans

Some business loans require collateral, meaning you must pledge something valuable, like property, gold, or machinery, to get the loan. This reduces risk for the bank and helps you get a lower interest rate.

Common Types of Collateral

1. Property: Land, office space, or factory buildings.
2. Equipment: Machinery, vehicles, or tools used in business.
3. Inventory: Raw materials or finished products.
4. Fixed Deposits: Some banks accept FDs as security.

Example:

• Ramesh owns a textile factory in Surat and needs a ₹50,00,000 loan. Since he has property worth ₹80,00,000, he pledges it as collateral and gets a 15% interest rate.

   

• Sunita, who runs an online business, applies for the same loan but has no collateral. The bank offers her a higher interest rate of 24%.

Unsecured Loans – Are They Possible?

You can apply for an unsecured business loan if you don't have collateral. However:

• Interest rates will be higher (18%-26%).
• The lender will check your credit score (must be above 750).
• Your business should have a substantial income and repayment history.

6. Industry and Business Type Considerations

Banks and NBFCs do not offer business loans to every industry in the same way. Some businesses are seen as high-risk, while others have better approval chances. 

Lenders check the industry type before approving a loan. Getting a loan is easier if a business operates in a sector with stable income and high growth potential.

Which Businesses Have Better Loan Approval Chances?

• Retail Shops, Manufacturing Units, and IT Services: High approval chances because they have a stable income.

   

• Restaurants, Tourism, and Event Management:  Moderate approval chances because they depend on seasonal demand.

   

• Startups, New Online Businesses: There are low approval chances unless they show strong financial records.

Example:

Vikram owns a hardware store in Pune, running successfully for 5 years with a ₹80,00,000 annual turnover. His loan approval chances are high. Meanwhile, Riya started an online gift shop 6 months ago with a ₹8,00,000 turnover. She finds it difficult to get a loan without extra security.

How to Improve Loan Approval for Risky Businesses?

1. Show stable monthly revenue: Banks prefer businesses with a steady income.
2. Offer collateral if possible: Property, equipment, or fixed deposits can improve approval chances.
3. Apply for a smaller loan amount first: Get a smaller loan, repay it on time, and then apply for a bigger one.
4. Having a co-applicant with a good credit history reduces risk for the lender.

7. Legal and Business Documentation Needed

Every business loan application requires proper legal and financial documents. Missing even one important paper can delay the approval or lead to rejection.

Essential Documents for Business Loan

Business Registration Certificate: Proof that the business is legally registered.

GST Registration Certificate: This shows that the business is paying taxes.

PAN Card & Aadhaar Card: Required for both the business owner and the business itself.

Partnership Deed (if applicable): For businesses with multiple owners.

Company Incorporation Certificate: For Private Limited and LLP firms.

Why Are These Documents Important?

Lenders want to see that a business is legally valid and follows government regulations. A missing document can make the lender doubt the company's authenticity.

Example:

Rahul and Sameer run a successful food catering business in Mumbai. They applied for a ₹20,00,000 business loan. Their application was delayed because they forgot to submit their GST registration certificate. Once they provided it, their loan was approved.

8. Bank Statements and Financial Record Verification

Lenders always check a business’s bank statements and financial records before approving a loan. This helps them understand cash flow, income stability, and repayment capacity.

What Do Banks Look for in Statements?

1. Consistent deposits: Regular income inflow shows that the business is doing well.
2. Low cheque bounces: Frequent cheque bounces indicate financial instability.
3. Healthy account balance: Having some money left after expenses improves approval chances.
4. No sudden high withdrawals: Lenders do not prefer businesses with unpredictable cash movements.

Example of Two Businesses’ Bank Records

How to Improve Financial Records for Loan Approval?

1. Deposit business earnings in the bank regularly: Avoid too many cash transactions.
2. Maintain a clean transaction history: Avoid cheque bounces and late payments.
3. Keep business expenses separate from personal expenses: This makes it easier for banks to assess financial health.
4. Pay all taxes on time: Filing ITR (Income Tax Returns) on time increases credibility.

Conclusion

Getting a business loan in 2025 is easy if you prepare in advance. Before approving the loan, lenders check your credit score, business revenue, financial records, and industry type. 

Keeping a CIBIL score above 700, maintaining a steady cash flow, and submitting proper documents can increase your chances of approval. 

If your business is risky or new, offering collateral or applying for a smaller loan first can help. Plan well, improve your finances, and secure the best loan to grow your business!

FAQs

1. What is the minimum CIBIL score required for a business loan?

Most lenders require a CIBIL score of 700 or above. A score above 750 can help you get lower interest rates, while a score below 700 may lead to loan rejection or higher interest rates.

2. Can I get a business loan if my business is less than 2 years old?

Yes, but it can be difficult. Startups and new businesses may need collateral or a personal guarantee. Lenders prefer businesses that are at least 2 years old with a minimum turnover of ₹50,00,000.

3. What documents are required to apply for a business loan?

You need KYC documents (Aadhaar, PAN), GST registration, business license, bank statements, and ITR (Income Tax Returns) of the last 2 years. Missing documents can delay approval.

4. Do I need collateral for a business loan?

It depends on the loan type. Secured business loans require collateral like property, machinery, or inventory. Unsecured loans do not need collateral but have higher interest rates (18%-26%) and require a CIBIL score above 750.

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LoansJagat Team

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