The four sets every lender asks for
Requirements vary by lender and product, but almost every application is built from the same four sets:
- Identity proof: PAN card, plus one photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence
- Address proof: Aadhaar, passport, utility bill or registered rent agreement
- Income proof: salary slips and Form 16 if salaried; ITRs, audited financials and GST returns if self-employed
- Banking: recent bank statements for the account your income is credited into
If you are salaried
Salaried files are the quickest to assemble because the income evidence is standardised.
- Recent salary slips, usually the last three months
- Bank statements showing the salary credit, usually the last six months
- Form 16 or the latest income tax return
- Employment proof: offer letter, employee ID or a letter from the employer
If you are self-employed or run a business
Self-employed files carry more documents because the lender is assessing the business as well as you.
- Income tax returns with computation, generally for the last two to three years
- Audited or CA-certified financials, where applicable
- GST returns and business bank statements
- Business registration proof: GST certificate, Udyam, shop and establishment licence or partnership deed
Extra documents for secured loans
A home loan, a loan against property or project funding adds a property and legal layer on top of the personal file.
- Title deed and the chain of previous ownership documents
- Approved building plan and, where relevant, the occupancy or completion certificate
- Latest property tax receipts and encumbrance certificate
- For a purchase: the agreement to sell or builder allotment letter
How to keep the file moving
- Scan everything once, in colour, and keep the set in one folder
- Make sure the name and date of birth match exactly across PAN, Aadhaar and bank records
- Keep statements unbroken: gaps and password-protected exports are a common re-request
- Have an explanation ready for any large or irregular credit in your bank statement
Frequently asked questions
Is PAN mandatory for a loan in India?
In practice yes. PAN is how lenders pull your credit record and report the loan, so applications are rarely processed without it.
Can I apply without income tax returns?
Some salaried applications run on salary slips and bank statements alone. Self-employed applications almost always need returns, because they are the primary income evidence.
How recent do bank statements need to be?
Lenders usually want statements up to the current or previous month, covering six months or more. Older statements are typically re-requested before sanction.
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