Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh top in education loans, SBI leads lending race

Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the leading states in public sector bank (PSB) education loan disbursals over the last three financial years, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shared in the Rajya Sabha.

Between FY 2022-23 and 2024-25 (provisional), Maharashtra recorded Rs 11,426.47 crore in sanctioned education loans, followed by Kerala with Rs 8,937.78 crore, Andhra Pradesh at Rs 8,101.06 crore, and Tamil Nadu at Rs 7,198.63 crore.

The figures were presented in a written reply to a question by MP Neeraj Shekhar.

At the other end, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland saw the lowest loan disbursals, with amounts ranging from Rs 0.17 crore to Rs 19.76 crore.

STATE-WISE EDUCATION LOAN DISBURSALS (FY 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Rank State/UT Amount Disbursed (Rs Crore)
1 Maharashtra 11426.47
2 Kerala 8937.78
3 Andhra Pradesh 8101.06
4 Tamil Nadu 7198.63
5 Telangana 6178.60
36 Lakshadweep 0.17

SBI MAINTAINS TOP POSITION AMONG BANKS

Among PSBs, the State Bank of India emerged as the largest lender, disbursing Rs 32,311.02 crore in education loans during the same three-year period. Union Bank of India followed with Rs 14,558.77 crore, and Bank of Baroda came third at Rs 8,468.53 crore.

Punjab and Sind Bank reported the lowest disbursal amongst PSBs, at Rs 542.42 crore.

BANK-WISE EDUCATION LOAN DISBURSALS (FY 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Bank Amount Disbursed (Rs Crore)
State Bank of India 32311.02
Union Bank of India 14558.77
Bank of Baroda 8468.53
Canara Bank 7094.19
Punjab National Bank 5004.71
Punjab and Sind Bank 542.42

REPAYMENT TRENDS AND NPA LEVELS

RBI data also revealed patterns in gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) for education loans. While several banks saw a decline in NPA levels, amounts remain substantial for some lenders.

SBI’s GNPAs stayed relatively stable, moving from Rs 372 crore in 2023 to Rs 382 crore in 2024, and Rs 336 crore in provisional 2025 figures.

BANK-WISE GNPA FIGURES (Education Loans)

Bank 2023 GNPA (Rs Crore) 2024 GNPA (Rs Crore) 2025 GNPA* (Rs Crore)
State Bank of India 372 382 336
Union Bank of India 637 644 336
Bank of Baroda 63 98 121
Canara Bank 843 789 322
Punjab National Bank 893 733 431

2025 data provisional.

SOUTHERN STATES DRIVE DEMAND

The data highlights that the highest demand for education loans comes from southern states, attributed to high enrolment in professional courses and overseas study plans.

Declining NPA levels suggest improved repayment behaviour, though lenders continue to face significant outstanding amounts in the education loan segment.

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