New Delhi

Womenin India are no longer confined to small-ticket loans but are increasingly driving the country’s credit growth by moving into retail and business lending, NITI Aayog CEO Nidhi Chhibber said. A new report titled “From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market” highlights a major shift in women’s participation in the formal credit system, backed by digital public infrastructure and expanding financial access.

“Women borrowers are moving beyond entry-level credit towards retail and business-purpose lending, indicating stronger financial capability and deeper economic integration,” she said.

The report reveals that women borrowers now hold a credit portfolio of Rs 76 lakh crore, accounting for 26 per cent of total system credit.

This marks a sharp rise from Rs 16 lakh crore in 2017, reflecting a 4.8-fold increase in credit exposure.

The number of women actively using credit has also grown steadily, recording a compound annual growth rate of 9 per cent between 2017 and 2025.