Archive · 9 Jun 2025
India's Middle Class Risks Debt Crisis with BNPL Loans
Many people in India are using 'Buy Now, Pay Later' apps to buy things.
These apps let people buy things and pay later, but it can lead to big problems.
Some people are borrowing too much money and can't pay it back.
Younger people are having the most trouble.
The apps often don't show up on credit reports right away, making it seem easier to borrow.
Also, if people get sick or have other emergencies, it's hard to pay back loans.
The government is starting to watch these apps more closely.
People should be careful with these apps and know how much they are borrowing.
India's middle class is increasingly using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps and loans, leading to a potential debt crisis.
Personal loans between ₹10,000- ₹50,000 have grown, with a rise in overdue payments and multiple loans per borrower.
Delinquency rates for BNPL products are rising, with defaults concentrated among younger borrowers.
BNPL apps don't always immediately appear on credit reports, potentially creating a false sense of affordability.
Lack of healthcare and weak social safety nets in India exacerbate the risks of debt, especially with medical BNPL.
- Who
- India's middle class, particularly millennials and Gen Z.
- What
- A potential debt crisis due to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps and loans.
- When
- The trend is ongoing, with data from 2021-2024 showing rapid growth.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Overleveraging and lack of financial safety nets, exacerbated by easy credit and inadequate regulation.
Consumers & BNPL Providers
Regulators
Regulation of BNPL
Consumers & BNPL Providers
BNPL providers operate in a regulatory grey area, with no unified reporting and lax income verification.
Regulators
RBI has taken cautious steps, discouraging pre-approved credit lines and cracking down on unregulated apps.
- Loan Amount Growth (2021-2024)
- 19% annualized (₹10,000- ₹50,000)
- Delinquency Rate (BNPL)
- 4.8%
- Borrowers with over 3 loans
- Over 60% (2024-25)
- Households without Health Insurance
- 68% (middle-class, 2022)