Section 80E Tax Benefit on Education Loan
Deduct all education loan interest for 8 years — who qualifies, which loans count, worked example and old vs new regime.
Updated 27 September 2026 · 8 lenders trackedWhat you need to know
Section 80E lets an individual deduct the entire interest paid on a loan for higher education, with no upper limit, for up to 8 years starting from the year in which interest is first paid. Only the interest counts, not the principal, and the deduction is available only under the old tax regime.
Who and what qualifies
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can claim | An individual who has taken the loan and pays the interest (not HUFs) |
| For whose education | Self, spouse, children, or a student for whom you are the legal guardian |
| Course | Higher education — any course after Class 12, in India or abroad, full-time |
| Lender | A bank, a financial institution or an approved charitable institution; loans from relatives or employers do not qualify |
| Amount | Entire interest paid in the year — no cap |
| Period | Up to 8 years from the year you start paying interest, or until the interest is fully paid, whichever is earlier |
| Tax regime | Old regime only; not available under the default new regime |
Worked example
Loan of ₹10,00,000 at 9.50% repaid over 10 years (EMI ₹12,940). All interest paid in each financial year is deductible under Section 80E for up to 8 years — there is no cap.
| Repayment year | Interest paid (deductible) | Tax saved at 30% slab | Tax saved at 20% slab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ₹92,305 | ₹28,799 | ₹19,199 |
| Year 2 | ₹86,055 | ₹26,849 | ₹17,899 |
| Year 3 | ₹79,185 | ₹24,706 | ₹16,470 |
| Year 4 | ₹71,633 | ₹22,350 | ₹14,900 |
| Year 5 | ₹63,332 | ₹19,759 | ₹13,173 |
| Year 6 | ₹54,206 | ₹16,912 | ₹11,275 |
| Year 7 | ₹44,175 | ₹13,783 | ₹9,188 |
| Year 8 | ₹33,149 | ₹10,342 | ₹6,895 |
| Total, years 1–8 | ₹5,24,039 | ₹1,63,500 | ₹1,09,000 |
Old tax regime only; tax saved includes 4% cess, excludes surcharge. Interest of ₹28,731 paid in years 9–10 is not deductible because the 8-year window has ended. The window starts in the year you first pay interest — including interest paid during the moratorium.
Tips
- Get an interest certificate from the lender every year.
- Paying interest during the moratorium starts the 8-year window earlier — plan so that the high-interest years fall inside it.
- If both you and your parent pay, only the borrower on record can claim.
- Compare old vs new regime each year; 80E alone may not make the old regime better.
Frequently asked questions
Is principal repayment deductible?
No. Section 80E covers only interest; principal on education loans is not deductible (Section 80C covers tuition fees for children, not loan principal).
Can I claim 80E for a loan from an NBFC?
Yes, if the NBFC qualifies as a financial institution/approved institution for 80E purposes. Ask the lender to confirm and provide an interest certificate.
Does the new Income-tax Act change 80E?
The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026 and renumbers many sections. People still refer to this deduction as Section 80E; check the current section number in your return form.
For information and comparison only. Loan terms, rates and rules change — confirm with the lender and read the Key Facts Statement before borrowing.