Women in India are no longer limited to taking small loans but are increasingly shaping the country’s credit market through active participation in retail and business lending, according to NITI Aayog CEO Nidhi Chhibber.
Report: “From Borrowers to Builders”
A new report titled “From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market” highlights that:
- Women are rapidly integrating into the formal credit system
- They are now borrowing not just for consumption but also for business and entrepreneurial activities
Digital Infrastructure Driving Inclusion
The report notes that:
- Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure has significantly improved access to credit
- Women are benefiting from formal financial systems and digital platforms
Nidhi Chhibber said:
“Economic growth accelerates when more people participate effectively in the market.”
₹76 Lakh Crore Credit Portfolio
Key findings include:
- Women’s total credit portfolio has reached ₹76 lakh crore
- This accounts for 26% of total system credit
- Up from ₹16 lakh crore in 2017
👉 A remarkable 4.8x increase over the period
Rising Number of Active Women Borrowers
- The number of women actively using credit has grown at a 9% CAGR between 2017 and 2025
Collaborative Report
The report was prepared in collaboration with:
- TransUnion CIBIL
- MicroSave Consulting
under NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
Indicator of Economic Transformation
Anna Roy stated that:
- The expanding scale and diversity of women’s credit usage reflects a major shift in India’s economic landscape
Women Emerging as Economic Drivers
The findings show that:
- Women are increasingly becoming entrepreneurs, investors, and economic contributors
- Financial inclusion and digital access are playing a key role in this transformation
