RBI rules: read the RBI guidelines on loan settlement and recovery
  • Already in force: lenders and recovery agents must not call you for overdue loans before 8 AM or after 7 PM
  • Credit report correction not done within 30 days of your complaint? You get ₹100 for each day of delay
  • Recovery agents must not threaten, humiliate or harass you, your relatives, friends or co-workers
  • From 1 Jan 2027, banks must also tell you the recovery agency’s details at least one day before its first visit
  • From 1 Jan 2027, banks must list their recovery agencies on their website
  • Lenders agree settlements under their own Board-approved policy; it is not an automatic right
  • After a compromise settlement, lenders wait at least 12 months before lending to you again (non-farm loans)
  • No reply from your bank in 30 days, or unhappy with it? You can complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in
Loan Settlement

Loan Settlement in India: Meaning, Process and Rules

Loan settlement means the lender agrees to take less than the full amount you owe as full payment of the account. The account is usually shown as "settled", not "closed". A lender may agree when a borrower truly cannot repay in full. It is not automatic, and the lender decides.

You decide every step

Last reviewed:

Advisor at a desk talking with a couple about their case

Which page fits you?

When loan settlement makes sense

  • You have missed several EMIs and cannot catch up
  • Your income has dropped because of job loss, illness or business trouble
  • The lender has started recovery calls or sent a notice
  • You can pay a lump sum, but not the full dues

How we help with loan settlement

  • We check if loan settlement makes sense for you, or if a lower EMI plan may suit you better
  • We help you write a clear hardship letter with proof
  • We help you talk to the lender about a one-time settlement (OTS)
  • We check the settlement letter with you before you pay anything

Which guide fits your loan?

The general settlement path

  1. Know your dues. Outstanding amount, missed EMIs and what you can really pay.
  2. Write to the lender with proof of hardship and ask about a one-time settlement (OTS).
  3. The lender decides under its board-approved policy. There is no fixed percentage.
  4. Get the terms in writing, pay only the lender, keep the No Dues letter.

Loan settlement vs loan closure

  • Closure: you pay the full amount. The credit report shows "closed".
  • Settlement: the lender accepts less. The credit report usually shows "settled", which can make new loans harder for some time.

Our service commitments

  • We will file your harassment complaint with the bank and with the RBI
  • Our legal desk responds within 48 hours to illegal recovery threats with a formal reply
  • We stand between you and unlawful recovery practices
  • We will walk you through cancelling an auto-debit, UPI AutoPay or NACH mandate, step by step
  • We will help you dispute unauthorised deductions from your account
  • We will help you when a recovery agent visits your home or workplace
  • You get a clear written plan for your case, with no hidden fees

Limits and risks

  • Every bank or NBFC follows its own policy. A lender does not have to agree to a settlement.
  • Pay only after the lender gives you the settlement terms in writing. Pay only into the lender's official bank account.
  • A settled account usually shows as "settled" on your credit report. This can lower your score for some time.

Sources used on this page

Common Questions

How is the loan settlement amount decided?

The lender decides. RBI's June 2023 rules let each bank and NBFC settle under its own board-approved policy. There is no fixed percentage. It depends on your dues, your situation and what you can pay.

Is loan settlement legal in India?

Yes. Banks and NBFCs can agree to settlements under their own policies, within the RBI rules on compromise settlements issued in June 2023. But whether to settle is the lender's decision, not yours or ours.

What is OTS (one-time settlement)?

OTS means one-time settlement. You and the lender agree on one amount, you pay it, and the lender accepts it as full payment of the account. Banks and NBFCs use the term for a lump-sum settlement of a loan or card account. The lender decides whether to offer one.

Is loan settlement good or bad?

It depends on your situation. Settlement can stop dues growing and may reduce what you pay, but the account is usually shown as "settled" and not "closed", which lenders read as a negative, and the lender does not have to agree. If you can still pay in full or agree an EMI plan, that is usually better for your credit report. We explain both before you decide.

What percentage will a bank or lender settle for?

There is no fixed percentage. RBI's June 2023 rules ask every bank and NBFC to set how much of a dues amount it can reduce in its own board-approved policy, so the figure depends on the lender, your account and what you can pay. We do not quote or promise any percentage, and no one else can promise one for a lender.

Do I need a lawyer to settle a loan?

You do not need a lawyer to ask your lender about a settlement. If you have received a court or arbitration notice, speak to a lawyer of your choice.

Will settlement affect my credit report?

Usually, yes. A settled account is normally shown on your credit report (CIBIL) as "settled" and not "closed". This can lower your score and make it harder to get a new loan or card for some time. Settlement does not improve your CIBIL score. We explain this before you decide.

What should I get after a settlement?

Before you pay, ask for the settlement terms in writing. After you finish paying, ask the lender for a closure letter or no-dues letter (a letter that says you owe nothing more).

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