RBI Tightens Credit Card EMI Rules – Is the Era of “Zero Cost” EMIs Ending in India?

1 min read | December 23, 2025 11:37 AM IST | By Team Kalkine Media

The Reserve Bank of India has stepped up scrutiny of credit card EMIs to rein in rising unsecured lending and protect consumers. Banks and card issuers must now clearly disclose the true cost of EMIs, including interest, principal and discounts, and can no longer market interest-bearing plans as “zero-cost”. While EMI options will continue, misleading pricing and opaque schemes are being phased out, signalling a shift toward greater transparency and more responsible borrowing rather than the end of EMIs altogether.


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