India set a global benchmark with a staggering 74 billion UPI transactions, showcasing its prowess in the world of digital payments. As of June 2023, the country recorded 9.3 billion transactions, amounting to a total value of ₹1,475 lakh crore, indicating an unabated surge in digital financial transactions. Notably, 36% of digital payment users hail from rural India, demonstrating the inclusivity of this digital transformation.
India's digital revolution owes much to its monumental achievements in digital infrastructure. With 1.3 billion individuals enrolled in Aadhaar, the world's most expansive digital identity program, the country has cemented its position as a pioneer in this domain.
Smartphone adoption has played a pivotal role in propelling India's digital landscape. In 2022 alone, there were 28 billion app downloads, accounting for 5% of global app downloads. With over 667 million smartphone owners, one in three Indians possesses a smartphone. Furthermore, India boasts 531 million net-commerce users, with nearly half of them engaging in online shopping, making it a hotspot for the e-commerce industry.
The convergence of digital penetration, a youthful population, and rising per capita income has turbocharged India's shift towards digitalization. Notably, India offers the lowest cost per GB of mobile internet data globally, priced at just ₹13.
E-commerce has thrived on this digital wave, with 77 million Indians shopping through social media platforms, marking a 36% increase since the previous year. Active internet users predominantly indulge in entertainment (85%), communication (77%), social media (70%), net commerce (52%), and online shopping (34%).
Another remarkable trend is the ascendancy of fintech lending, fueling personal and consumer loans. By March 2023, fintechs dominated the lending portfolio with personal loans at 54.2%, business loans at 24.3%, consumer loans at 6.5%, and other loans at 15.8%. Fintech lenders have excelled in personal lending, scaling rapidly, with disbursements of consumption loans surging tenfold between FY 2018-19 and FY 2022-23. The number of fintechs mushroomed from 33 to 70 during this period.
Fintech NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) have streamlined loan processes through digitization, KYC checks, and risk assessments, with 57% of personal loans and 70% of consumer durable loans processed on the same day in FY 2022-2023. Notably, the younger population has increasingly turned to fintech lenders, with 52% of borrowers under the age of 25, a remarkable leap from 21% in FY 2018-FY 2019.
In conclusion, India's digital transformation is rewriting the rules of finance and commerce. With record-breaking UPI transactions, robust smartphone adoption, and fintech innovation, India is not just keeping pace with the digital revolution; it's setting the pace for the rest of the world. This digital upheaval promises exciting prospects for financial inclusion, economic growth, and technological advancement in the years to come.
