How EMI is calculated
EMI = P × r × (1 + r)ⁿ ÷ ((1 + r)ⁿ − 1), where P is the loan amount, r is the yearly interest rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100, and n is the number of monthly instalments.
Each month, interest is charged on the balance still owed, and the rest of the EMI reduces the loan. This is the reducing-balance method used by banks and NBFCs for most loans.
Example: a loan of ₹10,00,000 at 10% a year for 20 years has an EMI of ₹9,650.22. Over 240 months you pay ₹13,16,052 as interest — more than the loan itself. The same loan over 5 years has an EMI of ₹21,247.04, but far less total interest.
How to pay less interest
- A longer tenure lowers the EMI but raises the total interest. Pick the shortest tenure whose EMI you can comfortably pay.
- Part-prepayments made early in the loan save the most, because early EMIs are mostly interest.
- Compare the interest rate and processing fee across lenders before you sign.
- A "flat rate" loan charges interest on the original amount for the whole tenure, so its real cost is much higher than the quoted rate.