India’s retail lending portfolio reached Rs 170.2 lakh crore by March 2026, showing a 16.6% year-on-year increase and a 4.6% quarter-on-quarter rise, as per a report by CRIF High Mark. Consumption loans, including gold loans, personal loans, and consumer durable loans, expanded by 15.3% year-on-year to Rs 118.6 lakh crore. Gold loans saw the highest growth at 50.4% year-on-year, reaching Rs 18.6 lakh crore due to favorable market conditions.
The report indicated that personal loans grew by 12.9% year-on-year, consumer durable loans by 20.8% year-on-year, and auto and two-wheeler loans by 13.9% to 15.1% year-on-year. The total retail loan originations value surged by 42.2% year-on-year and 9.2% sequentially in Q4 FY26, with a trend towards larger loan amounts and premium offerings observed across categories.
Retail credit growth is shifting towards secured lending, with a focus on semi-urban and rural markets. Home loans stood at Rs 44.4 lakh crore, growing by 9.4% year-on-year and 3.4% sequentially, while credit card balances remained stagnant year-on-year and declined quarter-on-quarter. The report also highlighted an improvement in portfolio performance, with reduced delinquency levels in most segments, reflecting enhanced asset quality and sustained expansion.
Gold loans led originations growth, with personal and consumer durable loans showing over 30% year-on-year growth. Housing loans maintained steady sequential growth, supported by increased loan sizes. Auto and two-wheeler loans experienced a slowdown post-festive season demand on a sequential basis.
