New Delhi: The National Housing Bank (NHB) on Friday launched the ‘Gruh Sugam Portal’, a digital platform aimed at simplifying and expediting access to home loans for defence personnel, paramilitary forces and government employees.
The portal, described as a major step towards digital lending, is designed to streamline the home loan process, enhance transparency and promote affordability in the housing finance sector.
NHB, the apex housing finance regulator under the Government of India, said the platform will enable eligible personnel to apply for housing loans online through their respective administrative units, eliminating the need for physical visits to banks and financial institutions.
“The Gruh Sugam Portal will accelerate digital lending adoption and strengthen financial inclusion by improving access to housing loans,” the institution said in a statement.
A feature of the portal is its unified digital marketplace, which allows applicants to receive and compare multiple loan offers from registered lending institutions. This is expected to improve transparency and help borrowers select the most suitable option based on their requirements.
The platform also offers seamless digital integration with NHB and lenders, resulting in faster processing and operational efficiency. Additional features include grievance redressal mechanisms, consumer protection provisions and an online chat facility for quick resolution of queries.
The initiative is particularly aimed at defence and paramilitary personnel who are often posted in remote and inaccessible areas, making it difficult to access traditional banking services.
Under the system, government entities are required to register on the portal, after which eligible employees can submit their housing loan applications with minimal data. These applications are then shared with participating lenders, who provide customised offers to applicants.
Officials said the portal will significantly improve ease of access to housing finance and contribute to increased home ownership across the country.
The launch of the Gruh Sugam Portal is aligned with the government’s broader objective of promoting affordable and sustainable housing, while strengthening the housing finance ecosystem through technology-driven solutions.
