The lowest interest rate on an education loan currently starts at around 7% p.a. under the government's PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme, while most banks price education loans between 7% and 13% p.a. by course, institute, security and applicant profile. Bank of Baroda, SBI, ICICI Bank, Bank of India and PNB each offer such loans.
So, students have to go through the list to check if the courses or institutions are included in it. There are various banks that offer education loans with low interest rates. Students can compare these and finally choose the one which matches their needs.
The following are the banks which are currently providing education loans with the lowest rate of interest:
Bank of Baroda provides a wide range of education loans with a low rate of interest. The maximum amount offered depends on the type of loan chosen by the student. Here is the list of the education loan offered by the Bank of Baroda:
Scheme | Floating Interest Rate | Fixed Interest Rate |
Baroda Vidya | BRLLR + SP + 3.10% p.a. | Floating BRLLR-linked rate. |
Baroda Gyan | BRLLR + 2.00% p.a. (up to Rs.7.50 lakh) to BRLLR + 1.90% p.a. (above Rs.7.50 lakh) | Base Rate + 2.00% p.a. (up to Rs.7.50 lakh) to BRLLR + 3.90% p.a. (above Rs.7.50 lakh) |
Baroda Education Loan to Students of Premier Institutions (For Studies in India) | BRLLR – 1.05% p.a. (top 10 IIMs/IITs) to BRLLR + 0.50% p.a. (Category C institutes) | BRLLR + 1.40% p.a. to BRLLR + 3.05% p.a., depending on institute category |
Baroda Scholar | BRLLR + 0.55% p.a. (premier institutes, studies abroad) to BRLLR + 2.55% p.a. (non-premier, Canada, above Rs.7.50 lakh) | Base Rate + 2.00% p.a. to BRLLR + 4.55% p.a., depending on institute category and loan amount |
Baroda Skill Loan Scheme | BRLLR + 1.50% p.a. (flat, all loan amounts) | Contact the bank |
State Bank of India (SBI) provides a wide range of education loans with interest rates starting from 6.90%p.a and flexible repayment tenures. Education loans can be availed by students both for studies in India and abroad. SBI also offers loans to students to pursue vocational training and other professional courses.
Let us have a look at the table given below to know the interest rates charged by SBI on different education loans:
Education Loan Schemes | Interest Rates (p.a.) |
SBI Scholar Loan Takeover (formerly Take Over of Education Loan) | 6.90% p.a. to 7.65% p.a., for loans above Rs.10 lakh |
SBI Global ED-VANTAGE | 8.90% p.a. to 9.40% p.a. (with collateral) / 9.40% p.a. (without collateral) |
SBI Scholar Loan | 6.90% p.a. to 7.65% p.a., for select premier institutions |
SBI Student Loan | 9.40% p.a. (with collateral, above Rs.7.50 lakh) to 9.90% p.a. (without collateral, up to Rs.7.50 lakh) |
SBI Skill Loan | 9.40% p.a. |
SBI PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme | 6.90% p.a. to 8.40% p.a. |
Note: The interest rates are effective from 09 June 2026.
SBI also offers a special concessional rate of 6.75% p.a. to students admitted to all IITs, valid till 31 December 2026.
SBI Features
Individuals aged between 16 and 65 years at loan maturity are eligible for ICICI Bank's education loans, subject to their academic progress, GPA score, and confirmation of admission to recognized institutions in India or overseas.
A parent or guardian serves as the co-applicant and is required to provide tangible collateral as security, with specifics dependent on the course, loan amount, and source of income. These loans typically feature competitive and low-interest rates.
Education Loan Scheme | Interest (%) |
Education Loan | 8.50% p.a. to 13.00% p.a. |
ICICI Bank prices its education loan by course and security offered: loans for studies abroad start from 9.00% p.a. (secured) or 10.25% p.a. (unsecured), while select domestic institutes start from 8.50% p.a. (secured) or 9.25% p.a. (unsecured).
ICICI Bank Features
Bank of India offers a wide range of education loan schemes to students who wish to pursue higher studies in India and abroad. The loans will be provided on the basis of the earning potential of students after completing the courses.
Education loan scheme | Interest Rate (%) |
Star Education Loan – India | RBLR + 1.70% p.a. (up to Rs.7.50 lakh) to RBLR + 1.50% p.a. (above Rs.7.50 lakh) |
Star Education Loan – Abroad | RBLR + 1.70% p.a. (up to Rs.7.50 lakh) to RBLR + 1.50% p.a. (above Rs.7.50 lakh) |
Star Vidyalaxmi Education Loan | 6.85% p.a. to 8.40% p.a. |
Star Progressive Education Loan | RBLR + 1.70% p.a. |
Note: The interest rates are effective from 01 June 2026.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) provides several types of education loans to students with attractive interest rates and repayment tenures of up to 15 years. The students who are planning to pursue their higher education in India, abroad, or at premier institutions are eligible to apply for education loans from Punjab National Bank.
PNB links the interest rate on its PM-Vidyalaxmi education loan to its Repo Linked Lending Rate (RLLR), with an institute-specific spread of up to 1.25% below RLLR for the listed institutes.
Students should have a look at the following eligibility criteria before applying for education loans:
Students can apply for education loans for the following courses:
Students who are planning to apply for education loans should be
Banks provide education loans to the following:
Students have to submit scanned copies of the following documents to get education loans from banks:
• Government schemes like PM-USP CSIS and PM-Vidyalaxmi provide interest subvention during the moratorium period on eligible education loans, while CGFSEL provides a credit guarantee on eligible loans of up to Rs.7.50 lakh
• The Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Yojana is now offered alongside these schemes by several lenders, including SBI, Bank of Baroda, Central Bank of India and PNB specific rates linked to PNB's Repo Linked Lending Rate), and can lower the interest rate on an eligible education loan further
• Several lenders sanction an education loan of up to Rs.7.50 lakh without collateral or a third-party guarantee, as reflected in several banks' loan terms above
• Tax Ededuction is available on education loan interest under Section 129 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (earlier Section 80E)
• Some banks charge additional 0.10% risk premium if borrower lacks credit life insurance
Application Process: Students can apply online (filling form and uploading documents) or offline (visiting bank branch with physical form and documents).
Bank of Baroda, SBI, ICICI Bank, Bank of India and PNB each price education loans differently by course, institute and security offered, so the lowest interest rate on an education loan varies by lender and applicant profile. Comparing the schemes above, along with any government interest subsidy you qualify for, is the most reliable way to find the lowest interest rate on an education loan. Confirm the current rate directly with the chosen bank before applying, since education loan pricing is revised periodically and floating rates move with the RBI repo rate.
The lowest interest rate on an education loan depends on the lender, the specific scheme, the course and institute, and whether the applicant offers collateral. Government-backed subsidy schemes and premier-institute schemes typically offer the lowest interest rate on an education loan among the options above.
An education loan covers tuition fees, examination fees, hostel or accommodation charges, and travel and book expenses linked to the course. It can also fund project work and other study-related costs at the lender's discretion.
No bank in India offers a fully interest-free education loan, since an education loan carries the same credit risk as other retail loans for the lender. Certain government schemes provide an interest subsidy during the study period, which can reduce the effective cost of an education loan without making it interest-free.
Indian citizens, Persons of Indian Origin, Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India can apply for an education loan, subject to the lender's course and institute criteria. Most lenders also require a parent or guardian to join as a co-applicant.
An education loan typically covers professional certification courses, vocational training, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, PhDs and other doctorate programmes, and job-oriented courses. Coverage varies slightly by lender and scheme.
No single bank always offers the lowest interest rate on an education loan, because the rate depends on the scheme, the institute, the loan amount and whether collateral is offered. Premier-institute and PM-Vidyalaxmi schemes usually carry the lowest rates, so compare the schemes listed above before applying. Confirm the current rate with the chosen bank, since lenders revise education loan pricing periodically.
Several banks offer a concession on the education loan interest rate for girl students, but the concession and eligibility differ by bank and scheme. Check the concession listed under each bank's features above and confirm it with the lender before applying.
Most banks do not ask for collateral on smaller education loans, although a parent or guardian is usually required as a co-borrower. Larger education loans normally need tangible collateral, and secured loans often carry a lower interest rate than unsecured ones. Check the security terms listed for each lender above before choosing.
Yes, interest paid on an education loan taken for higher education can be claimed as a deduction under Section 129 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, which replaced Section 80E. The deduction is available for up to eight tax years, so a low interest rate on an education loan reduces your overall cost further.
You can apply for an education loan online by filling in the form and uploading the documents, or offline by visiting a bank branch with the physical form and documents. Compare the schemes listed above first, so that you apply for the education loan with the lowest interest rate you qualify for. Keep the admission letter, marksheets, identity proof and the co-applicant's income documents ready.

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