Minimum Down Payment for a Home Loan in India (2026): The Real Number
The minimum down payment on a home loan in India is set by the Reserve Bank, not by individual banks, and it runs from 10% to 25% of the property price depending on how much you borrow. But the minimum on paper and the cash you actually need at the counter are two different numbers, and the gap catches first-time buyers out. This page gives both, bank by bank, and explains why borrowing to cover the down payment is usually a mistake.
The RBI minimum, by property value
Banks fund a home loan up to a capped share of the property's value, the loan-to-value ratio. Whatever the loan does not cover is your minimum down payment:
| Property value | Maximum loan (LTV) | Minimum down payment | On a typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹30 lakh | 90% | 10% | ₹3 lakh on a ₹30 lakh flat |
| ₹30 lakh to ₹75 lakh | 80% | 20% | ₹12 lakh on a ₹60 lakh flat |
| Above ₹75 lakh | 75% | 25% | ₹25 lakh on a ₹1 crore flat |
Source: RBI loan-to-value norms as applied by lenders in 2026 (see NoBroker's summary). Major lenders including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI follow these caps; a few offer up to 90% only within the lowest band.
Why the real cash you need is higher
The loan-to-value cap applies to the property price alone. Everything else in a home purchase comes from your own pocket, and it is not small:
- Stamp duty and registration: about 5% to 7% of the price, varying by state.
- GST: 1% to 5% on under-construction property (none on ready or resale).
- Brokerage: often 1% to 2% of the price.
- Interiors, furnishing, and a moving buffer: however much your flat needs to be liveable.
Put it together on a ₹60 lakh ready flat. The minimum down payment is ₹12 lakh, but stamp duty and registration add roughly ₹3.5 lakh and brokerage another ₹60,000, so the cash you actually need before you spend a rupee on interiors is closer to ₹16 lakh. Budget the real number, not the LTV minimum.
Should you take a loan for the down payment?
"Loan for down payment" is a common search, and the honest answer is that it is usually a warning sign rather than a solution. A personal loan or a top-up to fund the down payment carries a higher interest rate than the home loan itself, often 11% to 16%, and its EMI stacks on top of your home-loan EMI. That pushes up your FOIR, which can shrink the home loan you qualify for in the first place, and it leaves you with two debts against one asset.
If the down payment is out of reach, the sounder moves are to buy a lower-priced home where a 10% or 20% deposit is achievable, to wait and save the gap, or to add a co-applicant to strengthen eligibility. Borrowing the deposit to buy at the top of your range is how a stretch becomes a strain. Our guide on how much to save for a down payment and smart strategies covers the ways to get there without extra debt.
A bigger down payment is not automatically better
Paying more than the minimum shrinks your loan, your EMI, and your total interest, which feels prudent, and often is. But the money you sink into a larger down payment is money you cannot invest elsewhere. If your home loan costs 8.5% and you could earn more than that, after tax, on the same money invested, a smaller down payment and a larger investment can leave you wealthier, even after the extra interest. The home-loan interest deduction under Section 24(b) lowers the effective cost of the loan further for those who claim it.
There is no single right answer; it depends on the rate, your expected returns, and your appetite for debt. Model both the loan size and the rent-versus-buy question together on the Rent vs Buy Calculator, and check what EMI a given loan implies on the EMI Calculator.
Down payment questions, answered
What is the minimum down payment for a home loan in India in 2026?
10% of the price for a home up to ₹30 lakh, 20% between ₹30 lakh and ₹75 lakh, and 25% above ₹75 lakh, following RBI loan-to-value caps. Most major banks apply these limits, so the minimum is broadly the same across lenders.
Can I get a home loan with no down payment?
Not for the property itself; RBI rules require at least 10% from you, and lenders never fund stamp duty, registration, or GST. Schemes that advertise "zero down payment" usually bundle a separate high-interest loan for the deposit, which raises your total borrowing and your risk.
Is it a good idea to take a personal loan for the down payment?
Generally no. A personal loan costs far more than a home loan, its EMI adds to your obligations and can reduce the home loan you qualify for, and you end up servicing two debts. Buying a cheaper home or saving longer is almost always the sounder path.
Should I pay a larger down payment than the minimum?
It reduces your EMI and total interest, but it also ties up cash you could invest. If you can earn more, after tax, than your home-loan rate, a smaller down payment may leave you better off. Weigh the loan rate against your realistic investment return before deciding.