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MCLR: How the Marginal Cost of Lending Rate Impacts Your Loans

Explainer📅 25 Jul 2026Plain-English · Educational✔ Reviewed by CA Amit Jain

The Marginal Cost of Lending Rate, or MCLR, is the minimum rate at which banks can lend, impacting your loan's interest rate. But what exactly is MCLR and how does it work?

What exactly happened
  • MCLR replaced the Base Rate system in 2016
  • The RBI monitors MCLR to ensure transparency and fairness in lending
  • Banks review and update their MCLR periodically
  • The MCLR is set by banks based on their marginal cost of funds
  • The current MCLR can be found on the official website of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or on the website of your bank
Key takeaways
  • MCLR is the minimum rate at which banks can lend
  • It's based on the bank's marginal cost of funds
  • MCLR affects your loan's interest rate
  • Check the RBI website or your bank's website for the current MCLR

What is MCLR?

MCLR stands for Marginal Cost of Lending Rate, the minimum rate at which banks can lend to their customers, based on their marginal cost of funds.

How Does MCLR Impact Your Loans?

The MCLR has a direct impact on your loan's interest rate. When the MCLR increases, the interest rate on your loan may also increase, resulting in higher EMIs.

Where to Find the Current MCLR

For the latest MCLR, visit the official website of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or your bank's website.

Questions people ask

What is the current MCLR?

Visit the official website of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or your bank's website for the latest MCLR.

How often is the MCLR updated?

The MCLR is reviewed and updated periodically by banks. Check your bank's website for the latest information.

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