No, you cannot take a loan against Gold/Silver ETFs in India. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines (2025), Gold ETFs, digital gold, and gold mutual funds are not accepted as collateral for loans. Only physical gold jewellery, coins, and ornaments are eligible.
Key Points on Loans Against Gold in India
Gold/Silver ETFs & Digital Gold/Silver: Not permitted as collateral for loans under RBI rules.
Eligible Collateral: Physical gold/Silver jewellery and bank-issued coins are allowed.
Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: RBI caps the maximum loan at 75% of the value of the gold/Silver collateral.
Conditions:
Gold must be assayed and valued by standardized procedures.
Collateral must be securely stored and released only after repayment.
Transparency in auction procedures if borrower defaults.
Comparison Table
| Asset Type | Eligible for Loan? | Max Loan-to-Value (LTV) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold/Silver Jewellery/Coins | ✅ Yes | Up to 75% of value | Assaying, valuation, storage, auction rules |
| Gold/Silver Bars/Bullion | ❌ No | Not eligible | Restricted by RBI |
| Gold/Silver ETFs | ❌ No | Not eligible | Restricted by RBI |
| Digital Gold/Silver | ❌ No | Not eligible | Restricted by RBI |
| Gold/Silver Mutual Funds | ❌ No | Not eligible | Restricted by RBI |
Risks & Considerations
Market Risk: Gold prices fluctuate, affecting loan eligibility and repayment burden.
Regulatory Restriction: Even though ETFs represent gold ownership, RBI excludes them to reduce systemic risk.
Liquidity: Loans against jewellery are easier to obtain but involve physical storage and valuation costs.
If your goal is to leverage gold investments for liquidity, you’ll need to use physical gold holdings rather than ETFs or digital formats. SOURCE: www.rbi.org.in
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