Millennials in India are redefining how finances work. The latest statistics show that in FY2025, this generation borrowed a massive 25-28 lakh crore in retail loans, with personal loans alone constituting about 21% of their total portfolio and swiftly shifting away from the traditional save-and-spend mentality to the borrow-and-grow one. While older generations considered debt a burden, today's young professionals view it as a tool. If used wisely, a personal loan is not just an answer to a temporary shortfall; it can be your partner in speeding up your career and financial goals.
Here are a few reasons why a personal loan for millennials could be a smart financial move.
Simply put, a personal loan is an unsecured type of credit. This means that you can take out a loan from a bank or NBFC without having to offer any asset (such as gold or real estate) as collateral; the loan is approved only based on your income and creditworthiness.
Because of this simplicity, it offers several distinct advantages over other types of credit:
Unlike a home or car loan, you don't need to risk your assets. For Millennials who may not own property or gold yet, this unsecured nature makes it the most accessible form of credit. Your job stability and income are your only security.
In the digital age, nobody wants to wait weeks for approval. Modern lenders offer simplified and quick disbursal, often crediting the money to your account within 24 hours. Some pre-approved offers are disbursed in less than 10 seconds.
You are not forced into a rigid schedule. The lenders provide flexible repayment periods, usually from 12 months to 60 months. Thus, you can select a tenure that makes your monthly EMI fit nicely within your salary.
The thick piles of paperwork are now a thing of the past. The process has become one involving very little documentation, often done electronically via e-KYC. This is a clear benefit for the generation living in the digital-native world.
While not a direct benefit, there is a smart hack here. If you use the personal loan funds for specific purposes, like home renovation (Section 24b) or business investment, the interest paid can often be claimed as a tax deduction.
Now that we know the benefits, how can millennials make the most of this loan option? For a generation that values speed and experiences, personal loans are being used strategically:
The job market is competitive. A recent survey by mPokket found that nearly 40% of young borrowers use credit for professional advancement. Taking a loan to fund a Data Science certification or an Executive MBA is smart debt. Unlike a car that loses value, education increases your earning potential. If a 2 Lakh course gets you a 4 Lakh salary hike, the loan pays for itself.
If you have maxed out two credit cards paying 36-40% interest, you are bleeding money. A smart move is to take a personal loan at 12-14%, pay off all credit cards instantly, and switch to a single, lower EMI. This saves you thousands in interest and reduces mental stress.
If you are someone who has never taken out a loan before. By taking a small personal loan for Millennials and repaying it on time, you build a solid credit score (CIBIL). This credit mix is important. When you eventually apply for a big-ticket item like a home loan in your 30s, banks will trust you because you have a proven track record of managing unsecured debt.
Additionally, if you are facing rejection from big banks due to your credit profile, instant personal loan apps like Loan112 are a great starting point. They offer up to 1.2 lakh personal loan options with swift 10-minute disbursals, even with limited credit history.
When an emergency like a medical bill of 1,00,000 hits, you usually have three common choices. Let's calculate why a personal loan is often the balanced winner.
Interest: 40% p.a.
Cost: You pay approx 40,000 in interest over a year.
Verdict: Too expensive.
Interest: 0%
Cost: You pay 0, but your bank balance hits zero. If a second emergency strikes next month, you are helpless.
Verdict: Too risky.
Interest: 20% p.a.
Cost: You pay approx 11,160 in total interest over 1 year (930/month).
So, for a cost of just 930 per month, you avoid the massive debt of credit cards and keep your savings safe in your bank account. It is a small price to pay for financial security.
A personal loan for millennials is more than just quick cash; it is a strategic financial tool. Whether you are using it to consolidate expensive credit card debt or to fund a career-changing course, the secret lies in the purpose. By focusing on smart debt that offers a positive return, you can use credit to build wealth rather than erode it.
DEVMUNI LEASING & FINANCE LIMITED is a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Loan112 is the brand name under which the company conducts its lending operations and specializes in providing quick and easy access to personal loans to meet customers' instant financial needs.