Prime Highlights
- Women now hold Rs 76 lakh crore in credit, forming 26% of total lending, showing a strong shift in India’s credit mix.
- Faster growth than overall credit signals rising financial confidence and wider access among women borrowers.
Key Facts
- Women’s outstanding credit grew 4.8 times since 2017, compared to 2.9 times growth in total credit.
- Share of new-to-credit women borrowers reached 38%, showing deeper reach into first-time users.
Background
Women borrowers now account for approximately Rs 76 lakh crore in loans, which constitutes 26 percent of total credit for 2025. The Indian credit system has experienced a major transformation because the total amount has increased almost five times since 2017.
A joint report by TransUnion Cibil, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform, and MicroSave Consulting says women are now actively taking loans instead of just benefiting from schemes. More women are entering the formal credit system every year, with their numbers growing at an average rate of 9% between 2017 and 2025.
The total loans taken by women have grown much faster than overall credit. While women’s outstanding loans increased 4.8 times since 2017, total credit grew only 2.9 times. This clearly shows that women are now more confident in thinking about credit.
Experts state that improved digital systems have created this growth. The online system enables users to apply for loans and receive faster approvals while accessing financial information.
Women are also taking a larger share of retail loans. Their share rose to 27% in 2025 from 24% in 2022. At the same time, more first-time women borrowers are entering the system. Credit access to new groups is seen in an increased amount up to 38% for 2025.
The present moment shows a definite transition toward business operations. The number of women taking loans for business purposes has risen sharply in the past few years, showing that more women are starting or expanding their own businesses.
