Microfinance Industry Under Pressure as Loan Defaults Climb in Key States

A sharp build-up of overdue accounts between April and October 2025 has created tension across the lending network. Rural borrowers, small traders and informal workers are now struggling to meet weekly instalments as repayment patterns shift across districts.

A simple doubt troubles lenders this year. How did routine weekly repayments slip so fast into overdue cycles across many states. The Sa-Dhan Bharat Microfinance Report 2025, released in May 2025, placed PAR 30+ at 6.2 percent in FY 2024–25, up from 2.1 percent in FY 2023–24. 

Portfolio at Risk (PAR) refers to the share of a lender’s outstanding loan portfolio that has overdue payments beyond a specified number of days, PAR 30+, for instance, measures loans overdue by more than 30 days.

The change pointed to fresh pressure linked to rising microfinance loan defaults across high-exposure regions.

Is The Latest Rise In Repayment Delays A Warning Signal?

Lenders tracked repayment delays that rose sharply between April 2025 and October 2025. The Sa-Dhan report pointed to extended overdue cycles in rural districts. 

Weak income support in several pockets made weekly repayments tougher. The pressure deepened when field teams reported more skipped instalments in clusters that previously showed stable conduct.

A note based on CRIF High Mark, published by Loansjagat in July 2025, stated that Tamil Nadu’s Gross Loan Portfolio fell 23.5 percent year-on-year by June 2025. The fall indicated lower disbursements and a tighter stance by institutions that aimed to protect asset quality. 

These shifts highlighted deeper concerns tied to rising microfinance loan defaults, which now influence portfolio planning for FY 2025–26.

This period called for a clearer explanation of how microfinance structures react when overdue numbers move upward.

How The Lending Structure Reads Repayment Stress?

Microfinance lending works on small weekly repayments. Groups take loans together. If one borrower misses an instalment, the entire group feels the pressure. This structure depends on discipline and regular income flow.

The Sa-Dhan Bharat Microfinance Report 2025 showed how this rhythm broke in parts of Bihar during FY 2024–25. The report recorded 7.2 percent of Bihar’s microfinance book overdue beyond 30 days, while 4.6 percent crossed the 90-day overdue level. Such shifts signal a loss of repayment balance, which pushes lenders to revise field checks and restrict fresh exposure.

These movements also encourage a quick look at the public data sources that track lending and rural financial patterns. The table below highlights government websites that publish information linked to credit rules and rural financial behaviour.

They guide compliance and reporting methods during volatile periods.

Government Economic Indicators That Affect Borrower Income

These indicators help lenders estimate how income changes shape overdue patterns in agriculture-linked districts. 

They also point to areas where repayment cycles may weaken further.

Conclusion 

Rising microfinance loan defaults across major states show a clear change in borrower discipline and repayment flow. The above reports signal broader stress that lenders now track closely. Institutions are expected to revise exposure plans and field assessments as the next round of microfinance data arrives in early 2026.

The sector prepares for tighter supervision and cautious expansion as repayment behaviour stabilises or weakens across districts.
 

Apply for Loans Fast and Hassle-Free

Apply Now

About the Author

LoansJagat Team

‘Simplify Finance for Everyone.’ This is the common goal of our team, as we try to explain any topic with relatable examples. From personal to business finance, managing EMIs to becoming debt-free, we do extensive research on each and every parameter, so you don’t have to. Scroll up and have a look at what 15+ years of experience in the BFSI sector looks like.