National News
Loans against gold surge 128.5% year-on-year to Rs. 3.38 lakh crore
According to the latest RBI data, outstanding gold-backed loans surged 128.5% year-on-year to ₹3.38 lakh crore as of October 2025, and grew 63.6% since March 2025.
Loans against gold jewellery are emerging as the strongest driver of retail credit growth, outpacing all other personal loan categories by a wide margin. According to the latest RBI data, outstanding gold-backed loans surged 128.5% year-on-year to Rs. 3.38 lakh crore as of October 2025, and grew 63.6% since March 2025.
This sharp rise means that nearly one-fourth of all new additions to banks’ personal loan books in the past year came from gold loans alone, underscoring a clear shift in consumer borrowing preferences toward secured, asset-backed credit.
A key factor behind this jump is the May 2024 reclassification, where agricultural loans secured against jewellery were moved into the retail gold-loan category, aligning with regulatory norms. However, even beyond reclassification, demand for loans against jewellery continues to gain momentum due to their speed, flexibility, and lower interest rates compared to unsecured options.
Secured Loans Lead Retail Credit
The broader retail credit ecosystem continues to favour secured lending:
- Housing loans grew 11% to Rs. 31.87 lakh crore
- Vehicle loans rose 12.5% to Rs. 6.77 lakh crore
- Education loans increased 14.7% to Rs. 1.49 lakh crore
In contrast, unsecured credit showed muted growth:
- Consumer durable loans grew just 1%
- Credit card outstanding rose 7.7%
- Other personal loans increased 9.9%
The slowdown in unsecured lending further strengthens the position of gold loans as a dependable, collateral-backed credit option for households, small businesses, and farmers.
Bank Credit Growth Supported by Retail Demand
Overall bank credit grew 11.3% year-on-year to Rs. 193.9 lakh crore, with personal loans remaining the strongest pillar. Services, NBFCs, and MSMEs also contributed significantly to non-retail credit expansion.
A Structural Shift Toward Gold-Backed Finance
The rise of loans against jewellery signals a structural trend:
Indian consumers are increasingly leveraging idle household gold to meet financial needs—without resorting to costlier unsecured borrowing. As banks deepen their gold-loan portfolios with better processes and digital onboarding, this segment is set to remain a high-growth, low-risk driver in the retail credit landscape.
National News
GJC welcomes RBI’s 25 basis point repo rate cut
Seen as a boost to economic growth and sectoral stability
The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) welcomes the Reserve Bank of India’s announcement of a 25 basis point cut in the key repo rate. This progressive and timely measure reflects the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Finance Minister’s commitment to strengthening India’s economic environment.
The gem and jewellery sector, a vital contributor to employment and exports, will benefit significantly from this reduction in interest rates. Lower borrowing costs and improved liquidity will ease financial pressures, enhance business confidence, and support growth across the trade.
Rajesh Rokde, Chairman of GJC, said: “We sincerely appreciate the Government of India and the RBI for this supportive move. The repo rate cut will help the trade stabilise, sustain, and grow in the coming months. It is a welcome relief for our industry and will encourage investment, strengthen retail demand, and create a more conducive environment for expansion.”
Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman of GJC, added: “This decision demonstrates the government’s proactive approach to nurturing economic growth. By easing financial pressures, the RBI has created an enabling environment for businesses in the gem and jewellery sector to flourish. We urge all our fellow members nationwide to take note of this positive development and utilise the benefit effectively, especially small and medium enterprises that form the backbone of our industry.”
The GJC believes this move will have a cascading positive impact across allied industries, empowering artisans, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. With improved liquidity, jewellers will be better positioned to meet consumer demand during the upcoming festive and wedding seasons, further contributing to India’s economic momentum.
The Council reiterates its gratitude to the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India for their continued support. This measure will strengthen the sector’s resilience and long-term growth, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in gems and jewellery.
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