Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Experts Explain When Affordable EMIs Become Financially Unaffordable
An EMI is the fixed amount a person pays each month for a loan.
A payment may look small but still be difficult if the person has several loans.
Experts say all monthly loan payments together should usually stay below about 30% of take-home income.
This leaves money for food, housing, bills, savings and emergencies.
For someone earning ₹50,000 a month, that means keeping total EMIs around ₹12,000 to ₹15,000.
If EMIs take too much money, there is less room for unexpected expenses.
Some people may then borrow more money to pay older loans.
A loan is affordable only when it does not harm a household’s financial security and peace of mind.
Experts say an EMI is affordable only when it leaves room for essential household expenses, savings and emergencies.
Borrowers should assess total monthly debt obligations rather than judging one loan payment in isolation.
A commonly recommended benchmark is keeping combined EMIs below 30% of net monthly income.
For a monthly income of ₹50,000, total EMIs should generally remain within ₹12,000 to ₹15,000.
Excessive EMI commitments can reduce financial resilience and lead borrowers to take new loans to service existing debt.
- Who
- Borrowers and household finances experts, including Vijendra Singh Shekhawat and Yudhajit Baul.
- What
- The article explains how to judge whether monthly loan instalments, or EMIs, are truly affordable.
- When
- The guidance applies when taking or managing loans; no specific event date is stated.
- Where
- Across the country, with specific reference to urban India.
- Why
- To help borrowers preserve savings, handle emergencies and avoid excessive debt obligations.
- Recommended EMI limit
- Keep total EMI obligations below about 30% of net monthly income.
- Illustrative income
- For monthly income of ₹50,000, suggested total EMIs are ₹12,000 to ₹15,000.
- Loans to include
- Personal, home, car and other credit-related loan payments should be combined.
- Affordability test
- An EMI is affordable when it leaves room for essential expenses, savings and future commitments.
- Potential danger
- High EMI commitments can reduce emergency funds, investments and long-term financial flexibility.
- Debt warning sign
- Taking a second or third loan to service an earlier loan may indicate rising financial stress.