CIBIL flags slower credit-active consumer growth as India’s credit penetration nears 28%

TransUnion CIBIL says credit-active consumer CAGR moderated to 9% in March 2024–March 2026, from 14% in March 2017–March 2019. With penetration nearing 28%, lenders are targeting women, younger and rural borrowers, new-to-credit consumers and MSMEs for the next phase of growth.

— Filed Thu, 30 Jul, 2026, 21:03 IST · Source The Hindu BusinessLine · Updated

TransUnion CIBIL says India’s credit-active consumer growth has slowed, shifting lenders toward targeted expansion. Women, younger borrowers, rural consumers, new-to-credit customers and MSMEs are identified as key growth opportunities as credit penetration reaches nearly 28%.

Why this matters

The slowdown follows TransUnion CIBIL signals identifying UP, MP and Bihar as credit-growth engines and mapping Indian credit-cardholder personas. Lenders are shifting focus toward underserved borrower segments as penetration rises.

Retail-company signals are accelerating, up 253600% QoQ.