SBI Interest Certificate for Education Loan: How to Get It and Open the PDF

SBI, short for “State Bank of India”, is India’s largest public sector bank and one of the most trusted names in Indian banking. It’s been open since 1955.

Many people open deposits with SBI, and when it’s time to apply for a loan, they go back to SBI to get it.

Whether you have a deposit with SBI, a loan with SBI, or both, an interest certificate is a document that you’ll have to become familiar with.

This article will explain everything you need to know about the SBI interest certificate. So without any further ado, let’s get right into it.

What is an SBI interest certificate?

An SBI interest certificate is an official document issued by SBI. It gives you an overview of all the interest you’ve earned from your deposits and all the interest you’ve paid on all your loan accounts.

You need the interest certificate to claim deductions under (various sections of) the Income Tax Act of India. Also, as we mentioned, the SBI interest certificate is an “overview”, without which you’ll have to look at multiple bank statements to find the same data.

Also, importantly, SBI interest certificates are dated to the previous financial year, whereas your bank statements or certificates of deposit are not. This makes doing the necessary calculations a lot easier.

Additionally, you can get an SBI loan interest certificate, which only contains the interest that you’ve paid on education loans. You can also get an SBI deposit interest certificate, which only contains the interest that you’ve earned on deposits that you hold with SBI.

Note: Even after you secure your education loan from a lender, such as SBI, you will need to interact with the bank or use their systems at various stages. It always helps to have someone reliable by your side, not just during your loan search but also for understanding and preparing for all follow-up interactions with the bank. GradRight’s own loan comparison platform can assist you here.

GradRight’s platform connects you with 18+ top lenders. Create an account and complete your profile, and within about two days you’ll get competitive loan offers to compare side by side. You also get access to financial experts who can guide you through each step, answer questions, help you prepare, and even assist in securing a higher loan amount or negotiating a better interest rate.

Next, let’s go back to the question at hand and find out why you might need an interest certificate.

Also Read: How to Get an Education Loan without Parental Support?

What are the uses of an education loan interest certificate from SBI?

An education loan interest certificate is a specialized document that outlines the interest you’ve paid on an SBI education loan. It usually only details the interest paid for one particular loan, but sometimes multiple loan accounts can be clubbed together on a single certificate.

So then, here are the main uses of an SBI interest certificate for your education loan:

1. Tax Deduction: You need it to claim tax benefits under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act. It provides proof of the interest paid on your education loan. The SBI interest certificate helps you document this, making it easier to report the right figures on your tax return. For instance, education loan interest can be deducted under section 80E of the Income Tax Act. Also, home loan interest can be deducted (though this won’t be shown in an education loan certificate) under section 24(b). Note: from FY2026-27 (income earned on or after 1 April 2026), Section 80E is renumbered to Section 129 under the new Income Tax Act, 2025. The underlying deduction rules, meaning no upper limit and claimable for up to 8 years, stay the same; only the section number changes. This deduction is available only if you choose the old tax regime when filing; it does not apply under the new/concessional regime. For your current AY2026-27 return, keep using Section 80E; use Section 129 for income earned from FY2026-27 onward. Confirm the applicable section and your regime eligibility on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal before filing.
2. Loan Repayment Tracking: The certificate offers a record of the interest you’ve paid. This lets you plan your future repayments accurately, and also see how many repayments you’ve already made.
3. Proof of Loan Repayment: The SBI education loan interest certificate serves as official proof of your loan repayments. This documentation can be particularly useful in future financial dealings, such as when applying for additional loans or seeking scholarships.

In the next section, we’ll teach you how to get an SBI interest certificate.

How to obtain an SBI interest certificate?

Getting your SBI interest certificate is simple, and there are two main ways to do it: online or by visiting the branch in person. We’ll explain both methods step by step so you can decide which one works best for you.

Steps to Apply for an SBI Interest Certificate Online

The easiest way to get your SBI loan interest certificate is online. Here’s what you need to do:

• Log in to SBI’s internet banking portal using your user ID and password. If you’re using the SBI YONO app, log in there instead.
• Once inside, look for the “Loans” section or menu.
• Find the option for an SBI loan interest certificate or interest certificate download.
• Choose the loan for which you need the certificate (like a home loan or education loan).
• Click “Generate” or “Download.” The certificate will be available for download right away in PDF format.

If you don’t have online banking, you can also do this via the SBI YONO app. It’s the same process: just head to the “Loans” section and download the certificate from there. This method is faster, and you can do it anytime.

Steps to Get Your Certificate via SMS

SBI also lets you request the Education Loan Interest Certificate by SMS from your registered mobile number:

• Send “ELI <Account Number> <4-digit code of your choice>” to 09223588888.
• Choose any 4-digit code yourself; this becomes the password for the certificate.
• SBI emails the certificate as a password-protected PDF to your registered email address; use the 4-digit code you sent to open it.

How to Open Your SBI Interest Certificate PDF Password

If SBI sends you the certificate by email, whether you requested it online, via SMS, or through the YONO app, the PDF usually opens with a password prompt. This is standard practice for financial documents SBI sends by email, to keep your details secure if the message is intercepted.

SBI’s own SMS banking service confirms how this password is set for certificates requested by SMS: you send “ELI <Account Number> <4-digit code>” to 09223588888, and the 4-digit code you choose becomes the password for the certificate PDF emailed to your registered address. If you requested the certificate this way, use that same code.

If you downloaded the certificate directly through SBI net banking or the YONO app instead, it may open without a password since you are already logged in to a verified session. If it does prompt for a password and you did not set one via SMS, check the download screen or confirmation email for a password hint, or contact SBI customer care to confirm the password linked to your account. Avoid relying on generic name-plus-date-of-birth formulas circulating online, since SBI has not published those as the certificate’s password format and they don’t match SBI’s own documented SMS process.

Steps to Apply for an SBI Interest Certificate Offline

• Go to the branch and ask the bank staff for an SBI loan interest certificate.
• Provide details like your loan account number and identification.
• They’ll print the certificate for you on the spot.

This option works well if you need a hard copy or just prefer dealing with a person directly. It might take a little longer than the online method, but it gets the job done.

Also Read: What is Educational Loan Sanction Letter & How to Get Your Letter?

Difference between SBI interest certificate and Form 16

When managing your taxes, you’ll have to fill out a document called “Form 16”. Now, Form 16 is not a replacement for your SBI interest certificate, nor can the SBI interest certificate replace Form 16.

The two documents are meant to complement each other. Here is a quick table that summarizes the differences between them:

That was the short answer. If you want a more detailed explanation, read on.

What is an SBI Interest Certificate?

It is a document issued upon request by SBI to any person holding a loan or deposit account with them. The “master” certificate has the details of all interest paid as well as interest earned. Then, you can also get a deposit interest certificate, which only contains the interest received. And you can also get a loan interest certificate, which only details the interest you’ve paid to SBI.

What is Form 16?

Form 16, on the other hand, is a certificate issued by your employer, not the bank. This document outlines the details of the income you’ve earned and the taxes your employer has deducted (Tax Deducted at Source or TDS) over the financial year. Essentially, it’s proof of the tax you’ve already paid, based on your salary.

Form 16 is divided into two parts:

• Part A contains details like your PAN, your employer’s TAN, the amount of tax deducted and deposited with the government.
• Part B gives a detailed breakdown of your salary, including allowances, deductions (like those under Section 80C), and the total taxable income.

Thus, an SBI interest certificate is only about interest paid or earned, depending on the type of certificate. And Form 16 is about the taxes you’ve paid so far based on your salary.

Key differences

1. Issuer: The SBI Interest Certificate is given by the State Bank of India, whereas Form 16 is given by your employer.
2. Purpose: Form 16 is to show the income tax department what your TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) has been, in the past financial year. An SBI interest certificate is to show you how much interest you’ve paid or earned during the year.
3. Tax Filing: Form 16 is more general and applies to your overall salary. It helps you file accurate tax returns by acting as a “master” statement for your salaried income. An SBI interest certificate is very specific, only outlining details of your deposits with SBI, loan accounts with SBI, or both.
4. Content: The SBI interest certificate contains details of the loan account, interest paid during the financial year, and any principal repayment (if applicable). It’s a straightforward document focused on the interest you’ve paid or earned. Form 16 covers taxable income, TDS, and any deductions made against your taxable income (salary).
5. Availability: You can get the SBI interest certificate online through internet banking or by visiting your branch, as explained earlier. Form 16 is provided by your employer at the end of the financial year.
6. When Do You Need Each? You’ll need the SBI interest certificate when you’re claiming deductions on loans. You’ll need Form 16 when you’re filing your overall income tax return.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to download the SBI home loan interest certificate?

Whether for home loans, savings accounts, deposits, or education loans, the process is the same. Visit the SBI online banking portal and log in using your credentials. Once logged in, look for the My Certificates section in the menu. Choose the type of interest certificate you need, whether it’s for savings accounts, fixed deposits, or loans. Specify the financial year or date range for which you want the certificate. After generating the certificate, you can download it as a PDF.

What is the use of an interest certificate from a bank?

These are mainly used for reducing your taxable income under the Income Tax Act. Home loans are exempted under section 24(b) and education loans under section 80E. Only the interest part is deductible though, so remember that. Also, interest certificates can serve as proof of repayment, or in financial jargon, as “proof of no default”. This can be useful when applying for additional loans or scholarships.

What is an SBI Interest Certificate?

This is an official document issued upon request by SBI to any person holding a loan or deposit account with them. The “master” certificate has the details of all interest paid as well as interest earned. Without the interest certificate, you’d have to analyze various loan account statements and deposit statements, find the correct amounts and tally them up. The SBI interest certificate makes things easy by giving you a “snapshot” of all your interest paid or earned during the previous financial year.

How Often Do You Need an SBI Interest Certificate?

You typically need the SBI interest certificate once a year, around tax season, to file your return. However, it’s a good idea to download it periodically to track your loan repayment status. The closer you get to closing out your loan, the more frequently you should be checking your interest certificate.

Can I Get an SBI Interest Certificate for Multiple Loans?

Yes, you can get separate SBI interest certificates for multiple loans. If you have both a home loan and an education loan, for instance, you can request or download certificates for each one. This is important because the deductions for each loan fall under different sections of the Income Tax Act.

Is Section 80E still valid, or has it been replaced?

Section 80E itself hasn’t been removed. It still applies to income earned up to 31 March 2026 (your current AY2026-27 return). From FY2026-27 onward, the same deduction is renumbered as Section 129 under the Income Tax Act, 2025. The rules, meaning no upper limit on the interest deduction, claimable for up to 8 consecutive years, old tax regime only, remain unchanged; only the section number is new.

Does the SBI interest certificate download process change under the new tax law?

No. The Income Tax Act, 2025 renumbers sections of the law, but it doesn’t change how banks issue interest certificates. You’ll still download your SBI interest certificate the same way, via net banking, YONO, or a branch visit; only the section you cite when claiming the deduction on your return changes.

Why is my SBI interest certificate PDF password protected, and how do I open it?

SBI password-protects certificates it emails to you, to keep your financial details secure in transit. If you requested the certificate by SMS (the “ELI <Account Number> <code>” service), the password is the 4-digit code you chose when sending that SMS. If you downloaded it directly from net banking or YONO, it may not be password protected at all, since you are already in a verified session; if it is, check the download screen or confirmation email for a hint, or contact SBI customer care to confirm it.

Have an education loan and need help tracking repayments or comparing better rates? Compare education loan options on GradRight and use the Education Loan EMI Calculator to plan your repayments alongside your SBI interest certificate.

Related Articles

• Education Loan Tax Benefits – All About Section 80E
• SBI Education Loan for Study Abroad – Complete Guide
• Education Loan Tax Benefits in India – Exemptions and Relevant Sections
• What Is an Education Loan Sanction Letter
• Education Loan Moratorium Period – Complete Guide
• Compare Education Loan Interest Rates – All Lenders 2026
• Education Loan EMI Calculator