Will EMIs Rise or Fall? Union Budget 2026 Impact on Personal Loans

The Union Budget is often viewed through the lens of tax slabs and infrastructure, but for the millions of Indians balancing monthly budgets, one question reigns supreme: Will my EMIs go down? As the Finance Minister concluded the presentation for the 2026-27 fiscal year on 1st February, the Union Budget 2026 EMI impact became a central theme for retail borrowers. With the government managing a record borrowing plan while maintaining fiscal discipline, personal loan interest rates in India for 2026 are expected to remain stable but cautious.

In this blog, we discuss how the latest policy shifts, fiscal deficit targets, and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) likely response will determine whether your bank sends you a ‘reduced interest rate’ notification this year.

The Big Numbers: Fiscal Deficit and Borrowing

The most direct way a budget affects your loan is through the Fiscal Deficit. For 2026-27, the government has set a Fiscal Deficit target of 4.3%.

Why this matters for your EMI: When the government reduces its deficit, it signals to the market that it is borrowing responsibly. Lower government borrowing typically leaves more liquidity in the banking system for the common man, which can lead to a softening of interest rates.

However, there is a catch. The government also announced a gross market borrowing programme of ?17.2 lakh crore, a record high. This massive supply of government bonds can sometimes push bond yields up. Since banks often use these yields as a benchmark for pricing their own loans, this could create a floor for interest rates, preventing them from falling as fast as borrowers might hope.

Fall or Rise: Effect on Personal Loan Interest Rates in India for 2026

Currently, personal loan interest rates in India for 2026 range from 9.9% to 22%, depending on the lender and the borrower’s credit profile. The Budget’s focus on a 10% nominal GDP growth and controlled inflation provides the RBI with a cushion to cut the Repo Rate later in the year, potentially.

Most economists predict that while the February 2026 RBI meeting might see a status quo (no change), a 25 to 50 basis point (bps) cut is highly probable by the second or third quarter of 2026. If you have a floating-rate personal loan, this would directly translate to a lower EMI or a reduced loan tenure.

Indirect Impacts: More Money in Your Pocket?

The Union Budget 2026 EMI influence is not just about the interest percentage; it’s also about your repayment capacity.

• New Tax Regime Push: The budget continued to incentivise the New Tax Regime. For those with a taxable income up to ?12 lakh, the effective tax liability remains zero. This higher disposable income makes it easier for families to service their existing EMIs without feeling the pinch.

• Digital Lending Shift: The budget emphasised further digital public infrastructure. For the borrower, this means lower processing fees and administrative costs as banks move toward complete paperless verification.

With the growing move towards digital borrowing, an instant personal loan app like Loan112 can be a wise choice for managing immediate gaps. Providing personal loans up to ?1.2 lakh with disbursals in just 10 minutes, Loan112 utilises this new digital infrastructure to offer speed that traditional banking cycles often miss, regardless of broader budget shifts.

Checklist: How to Navigate Your Loans Post-Budget

If you are planning to take a loan or are currently paying one off, here is how to handle the 2026 financial outlook:

The Verdict: Rise or Fall?

So, will your EMIs fall? The short answer is: Not immediately, but likely by mid-2026.

The Budget has laid a disciplined foundation, but the record-high borrowing means banks will be slow to pass on benefits until the RBI officially moves the needle. For those with high-interest personal loans, 2026 might be the perfect year to consider a balance transfer. With many fintechs and banks competing for good borrowers, you could switch to a lower-interest regime even before the systemic rates drop.

Conclusion

The Union Budget 2026 EMI impact is one of cautious optimism. While the government isn't handing out direct subsidies for personal loans, its focus on low inflation and fiscal consolidation is creating the perfect environment for a rate-cut cycle. Keep a close eye on the RBI’s upcoming policy announcements; your monthly budget might just get a little more breathing room soon.