Failed to pay the EMI for your CA loan? Here’s what could happen

Read this article to know what could happen if you fail to pay an EMI for your CA loan
Failed to pay the EMI for your CA loan? Here’s what could happen
3 min
24-April-2025
Paying off your CA Loan EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) is a crucial part of managing your financial responsibilities as a Chartered Accountant. Whether you’ve taken a loan to fund your education, set up your own practice, or expand your firm, understanding how EMI payments work is essential. An EMI is a fixed amount paid by the borrower to the lender every month until the loan is fully repaid. It includes both the principal and interest components. CA Loan EMIs are typically structured to be affordable, with flexible tenure options ranging from 12 to 60 months, depending on the lender. Timely EMI payments help you maintain a healthy credit score and avoid penalties or legal complications. With various repayment modes like auto-debit, post-dated cheques, and online transfers, managing your EMIs is now more convenient than ever. Let’s explore everything you need to know to stay ahead on your CA Loan EMI journey.

Consequences of missing CA loan EMI payments

Missing an EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) on your CA Loan may seem like a minor lapse, but its ripple effects can be profound and long-lasting. When you default on a scheduled EMI, lenders immediately flag your account as irregular, triggering a series of financial, legal, and reputational consequences. As a Chartered Accountant—someone whose credibility hinges on financial discipline—ensuring timely payments is not just about maintaining liquidity; it’s about safeguarding your professional integrity and future borrowing power.

One of the most immediate repercussions of a missed EMI is deterioration of your credit score. Your repayment history accounts for up to 35% of your CIBIL or other credit bureau score. A single default can shave off dozens of points, pushing your score into the subprime range. This drop makes qualifying for new loans, credit cards, or even renting office space substantially harder, and forces you to accept higher interest rates when you do secure credit.

Beyond credit score damage, lenders levy penalty charges or “late payment fees” for each EMI missed. These penalties typically range from 1% to 2% of the overdue amount per month, compounding your debt burden. Over time, what began as a ₹10,000 missed EMI can balloon into ₹11,000 or more, as penal interest accrues. In addition, some banks may reset your loan repayment schedule, extending the tenure and increasing the overall interest outgo.

If arrears persist beyond 90 days—or earlier, depending on the lender’s policy—they may initiate legal recovery proceedings. This can involve demand notices, summons to repay, or even filing a suit for recovery in a civil court. In worst‑case scenarios, the lender might seize any collateral pledged against the CA Loan, such as property, equipment, or vehicles. The entire process not only damages your creditworthiness further but can entangle you in lengthy and costly litigation.

Missing EMIs also impairs your standing as a finance professional. Prospective clients, partners, or employers often review your creditworthiness as a proxy for responsibility and trust. A poor repayment record can erode confidence in your ability to manage not only personal loans but also client funds and financial strategies. Moreover, delayed EMIs may disqualify you from exclusive professional loan schemes and industry‑specific credit facilities designed for CAs, restricting your growth opportunities.

Finally, the stress and uncertainty of unpaid EMIs can take a toll on your mental well‑being. Anxiety over mounting dues, fear of legal action, and the stigma associated with defaults can distract you from core practice areas, reducing productivity and job satisfaction. To avoid these pitfalls, consider setting up auto‑debit facilities, maintaining an emergency fund equal to at least three months of EMIs, or discussing flexible repayment options with your lender well before any payment due date. By proactively managing your CA Loan EMI schedule, you preserve your credit health, professional reputation, and peace of mind.

Impact on credit score due to EMI default

Immediate reporting to credit bureaus
As soon as you miss an EMI payment, your lender reports the default to one or more credit bureaus (CIBIL, Experian, Equifax). This negative entry remains on your credit file for up to seven years, affecting all future credit applications.


Reduction in credit score
Your repayment history constitutes roughly 35% of your overall credit score. A single EMI default can shave off 30–50 points immediately, while multiple defaults in successive months can cumulatively reduce your score by over 100 points.


Shift into sub‑prime category
Falling below a score of 650 typically places you in the “sub‑prime” bracket. In this range, lenders view you as high risk, making it harder to get loans and credit cards, or forcing you to accept much higher interest rates.


Higher interest rates on new credit
Even if you manage to secure a new loan post‑default, you’ll likely be quoted higher interest rates—often 2–4% above the standard rate—to compensate lenders for the perceived risk associated with your past EMI defaults.


Reduced credit limits
Credit card issuers and banks might lower your existing credit limits or offer you secured credit cards only, requiring a deposit or collateral, which reduces your financial flexibility.


Collateral reassessment
For secured loans, lenders revisit the valuation of your pledged collateral (property, equipment). A history of EMI defaults can trigger re‑valuation clauses, potentially leading to margin calls or requests for additional security.


Difficulty in obtaining unsecured loans
Personal loans, education loans, or credit lines that don’t require collateral become virtually inaccessible, as most lenders impose a “no default” clause for applicants in the past 12–24 months.


Impact on co‑applicants and guarantors
If you have co‑applicants or guarantors on your CA Loan, their credit scores are also negatively impacted by your missed EMIs, straining professional or personal relationships.


Adverse CIBIL remarks
Specific remarks like “Account in Default,” “Settlement,” or “Written Off” show up on your credit report. Such qualitative notes can alarm future lenders even more than a mere numerical score dip.


Delay in credit recovery
Once your score drops, it takes significant positive activity—like six consecutive months of timely payments—to recover even 50% of the lost points, making your credit profile “sticky” and sluggish to improve.


Higher insurance premiums
Some insurers use credit‑based insurance scoring. A poor credit score resulting from EMI defaults can translate into up to 20% higher premiums on professional liability or business insurance policies.


Negative impact on professional loans
Specialised CA Loan schemes or refinancing offers tailored for Chartered Accountants often have strict credit score thresholds. A defaulted EMI can disqualify you from these preferential programs.


Risk of legal action
Credit reports flag loans in legal recovery, which lenders initiate after 90–180 days of non‑payment. Such legal status entries further degrade your score and remain until the case is closed or settled.


Long‑term financial reputation
Beyond the numbers, a default history signals poor financial discipline. Clients, partners, and institutions may perceive you as untrustworthy in managing funds, limiting your career and business growth.


Preventive measures and recovery
To rebuild your score, start by clearing overdue EMIs, setting up auto‑debits, and keeping utilisation below 30%. Regularly review your credit report to dispute inaccuracies and monitor improvements over time.

Late fees and penalties for CA loan missed payments

Penal interest (surcharge) on overdue EMIs: Upon missing an EMI, lenders commonly impose a penal interest rate—typically 2% to 3% per annum above your contracted rate—calculated daily on the outstanding EMI amount from the due date until payment clearance, amplifying your interest outgo significantly.


Flat late payment fee: In addition to penal interest, most banks levy a flat fee—ranging from ₹250 to ₹1,000 per missed EMI—posted to your loan account or debited separately. These charges vary by lender and escalate if payments remain unsettled for multiple cycles.


Compounding of penal interest: Unlike simple late fees, many lenders compound penal interest monthly or quarterly. This means unpaid surcharge adds to the principal overdue, causing subsequent penal interest to accrue on an ever‑increasing balance, potentially doubling the extra cost within a year.


ECS and cheque bounce charges: Failure of auto‑debit mandates or bounced EMIs via post‑dated cheques attract ECS return charges, typically ₹200–₹300 per transaction, plus additional ₹250–₹500 bank bounce fees. Repeated occurrences can lead to suspension of cheque or ECS privileges.


Re‑presentation or re‑processing fee: Following a bounced payment, lenders may attempt to re‑present the EMI after 5–7 days. This re‑presentation incurs subscription fees—around ₹100 to ₹200 per attempt—and is generally limited to three tries before further action is triggered.


Tenure extension and restructuring costs: If you seek to extend your loan tenure to accommodate missed EMIs, lenders often charge processing fees of 0.5%–1% of the outstanding principal, alongside legal and administrative costs, which can total several thousand rupees.


Loan restructuring or top‑up processing fee: Opting for restructuring or availing a top‑up loan to clear dues involves fresh documentation and underwriting fees, generally 1%–2% of the top‑up amount, plus surveyor, legal, and stamp duty charges based on state regulations.


Recovery and repossession processing fees: Prolonged non‑payment beyond 90 days prompts banks to initiate recovery measures. They levy inspection, legal notice, and recovery processing fees—often ₹1,000 to ₹3,000—to cover on‑site visits and administrative coordination.


Collateral revaluation and additional security charges: Secured CA Loans require collateral reassessment upon default. Surveyor fees (₹500–₹1,500) and valuation charges are billed to you, potentially demanding top‑up of further security or margin money if the re‑valued asset falls short of outstanding dues.


Notice, reminder, and communication fees: Issuance of demand letters, SMS, and email reminders incurs dispatch fees of ₹50–₹150 per notice. Legal notices sent through registered post or courier may cost ₹200–₹500 each, cumulatively inflating your payable amount.


Legal and documentation charges: Should default escalate to litigation, you bear court filing fees, advocate charges, and document retrieval costs. Total legal expenses can range from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 or more, depending on recovery complexity and jurisdiction.


Accelerated foreclosure and prepayment penalties: Some lenders enforce accelerated foreclosure clauses when multiple EMIs are missed, charging prepayment penalties of 2%–3% on the outstanding balance, even if you settle the loan in full. This discourages early payoff and recoups lender costs.

Legal actions for repossession of your CA loan

Issuance of demand notice: Upon sustained default—typically after 90 days of missed EMIs—the lender issues a formal demand notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act, giving you 60 days to repay the overdue amount, failing which they may proceed with enforcement.


Appointment of recovery agent: If you do not respond to the demand notice, the bank may appoint an external recovery agent or asset reconstruction company to initiate follow‑up visits, telephone calls, and written reminders, escalating pressure for repayment.


Securing possession notice: Under Section 13(4) of SARFAESI, the lender issues a “Securing Possession Notice,” informing you of their intent to take control of the collateral without court intervention if dues are not cleared within 15 days of receipt.


Physical possession of collateral: Should you remain non‑compliant, the bank’s authorized officers or recovery agents may take physical possession of the pledged assets—machinery, office equipment, or property—under Section 13(4), ensuring safe custody and valuation.


Valuation of seized assets: Once in possession, an independent valuer is appointed to assess the fair market value of the assets. This valuation report forms the basis for auction reserve prices and is shared with you for transparency.


Public auction or private treaty sale: The lender may sell the secured assets via a public auction or private treaty. Notices for sale are published in newspapers and on the lender’s website at least 30 days prior, enabling competitive bidding.


Adjustment of sale proceeds: Sale proceeds first cover outstanding principal, accrued interest, penal charges, and recovery costs. Any surplus must legally be refunded to you within 30 days of disposal; any shortfall becomes a “deficiency,” preserving your liability.


Filing a civil suit for deficiency: If the auction proceeds fall short of the total dues, the lender can file a suit in a competent civil court to recover the remaining balance, adding legal and court fees to your outstanding liability.


Attachment of bank accounts: Concurrently or subsequently, the lender may obtain a court order to attach your bank accounts, freezing balances and enabling direct recovery of the deficiency amount from your cash reserves.


Salary or income garnishment: Through court decree, the lender can petition for garnishment of your professional income or salary—deducting a fixed percentage each month until the debt is fully repaid.


Registrar of properties lien: In cases of property collateral, the lender lodges a lien with the local registrar of properties, prohibiting sale or transfer of the asset without clearing the outstanding loan amount first.


Legal notice for suit recovery: Prior to litigation, banks issue a notice under Order VII, Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, demanding the remaining balance. Ignoring this can fast‑track the case to trial and judgment.


Court‑ordered attachment of other assets: Beyond pledged security, courts may permit attachment of movable or immovable properties you own elsewhere, broadening the scope of recovery to vehicles, investments, or additional real estate.


Enforcement of decree: Once a civil court issues a decree, the lender can employ a court bailiff to seize and auction attached assets. This enforcement stage often involves additional enforcement costs borne by you.


Bankruptcy proceedings: If your overall indebtedness exceeds ₹1 lakh and you are unable to satisfy the decree, the lender may file a bankruptcy petition under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, potentially leading to your disqualification from directorship and professional restrictions.


Appeal and cure periods: At each stage—whether SARFAESI action or civil litigation—you have statutory windows to appeal (e.g., to the Debt Recovery Tribunal or higher courts) or to deposit a portion of dues and seek a “stay” on further enforcement.


Impact on professional credentials: Repossession and subsequent legal records can trigger disciplinary reviews by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, as financial insolvency or bankruptcy may violate professional conduct standards and affect your license.

How to avoid defaulting on a CA loan EMI

Set up auto‑debit instructions: Authorize your bank to debit EMIs automatically, eliminating manual payment delays and reducing the risk of missed installments.


Maintain a dedicated EMI emergency fund: Keep at least three months’ worth of EMIs in a separate savings account to cushion against income fluctuations.


Create and adhere to a monthly budget: Allocate your income across expenses, savings, and EMIs to ensure timely payment without compromising essential needs.


Track EMI due dates diligently: Utilize digital calendars, mobile app reminders, or SMS alerts to stay informed about upcoming repayment deadlines.


Monitor bank account balances routinely: Verify sufficient funds are available before the EMI due date to prevent bounced transactions and penalty charges.


Opt for flexible repayment tenures: Choose a loan tenure that balances affordable EMIs with reasonable interest outgo, minimizing the chance of payment stress.


Leverage automated reminder services: Enroll in lender‑provided email and SMS notifications to receive timely payment alerts and account statements.


Explore the Bajaj EMI overdue payment online option for quick settlement if you risk missing an EMI and need an immediate payment portal.

Plan for income variability: If your earnings fluctuate seasonally or by project, adjust EMI dates or set aside higher reserves during lean periods.


Prepay EMIs using advance payment feature: Use the Bajaj Finserv EMI advance payment to pay upcoming instalments in advance when you have surplus funds.

Review loan statements each month: Cross‑verify interest calculations, outstanding balance, and due dates to catch discrepancies early and avoid payment surprises.


Consider debt consolidation wisely: If juggling multiple obligations, consolidate high‑interest debt into a single loan to simplify management and reduce risks.


Negotiate EMI restructuring proactively: On experiencing financial stress, approach your lender early for a revised repayment plan or moratorium, avoiding defaults.


Use budget management apps: Employ finance‑tracking apps to classify expenses, forecast cash flows, and highlight upcoming EMI liabilities automatically.


Allocate bonuses and windfalls to EMIs: Channel annual bonuses, tax refunds, or project bonuses directly toward EMI payments, lowering principal and interest burden.


Maintain a healthy credit utilisation ratio: Avoid maxing out credit lines and keep utilisation below 30%, reflecting strong repayment discipline to lenders.


Limit discretionary spending before EMI dates: Temporarily curb non‑essential expenses, such as dining out or shopping, to prioritise EMI payments during tight months.


Establish a sinking fund for large loan tenures: Systematically contribute to a long‑term savings pool dedicated to covering future EMIs and interest accruals.


Reassess loan terms periodically: If market rates drop, consider refinancing your CA Loan at lower interest rates to ease EMI pressure.


Communicate openly with your lender: If anticipating payment delays, inform your lender early to explore alternative arrangements and avoid penalties.


Keep documentation organised: Store loan agreements, repayment schedules, and payment receipts in a dedicated folder for quick reference and dispute resolution.


Automate an EMI‑targeted savings plan: Set up standing instructions to transfer a fixed EMI amount into your EMI account on each salary date.


Minimize reliance on credit cards for EMI coverage: Avoid using cash advances or new cards to meet EMIs, as this can trigger a debt spiral.


Engage a financial advisor: Consult a qualified advisor to optimise cash flows, plan tax‑efficient loan repayments, and maintain financial stability.


Conduct periodic financial health checks: Quarterly reviews of income, expenses, and obligations help you anticipate shortfalls and adjust savings or repayment strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Managing your CA Loan EMIs effectively hinges on proactive planning, disciplined budgeting, and smart use of available tools. By setting up auto‑debits, maintaining a dedicated emergency fund, and tracking due dates, you minimise the risk of missed payments. Leveraging options like Bajaj EMI overdue payment online and Bajaj Finserv EMI advance payment provides flexibility during cash‑flow crunches. Regularly reviewing statements, communicating early with your lender, and considering tenure adjustments or refinancing further safeguard your credit health. Adopting these strategies not only helps you avoid defaults and penalties but also reinforces your financial credibility and supports the long‑term success of your chartered accountancy practice.

Frequently asked questions

Can a CA Loan lender repossess for missed payments?
Yes. After typically 90 days of unpaid EMIs, lenders can issue SARFAESI Act notices, take possession of pledged collateral, and auction assets to recover dues.

How does defaulting on a CA Loan affect my credit score?
Each missed EMI is reported to credit bureaus, instantly shaving off 30–50 points per default, stays on your report up to seven years, and raises future borrowing costs.

What should I do if I can't pay my CA Loan EMI?
Immediately contact your lender to discuss restructuring, moratorium, or tenure extension. Explore using emergency funds, advance EMI payments, or deferment options to avoid defaults.

Can I reschedule my EMI payments for a CA Loan?
Yes. You can apply for EMI rescheduling or restructuring with your lender, subject to approval, possible processing fees, and adjustments to your interest rate and tenure.

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