Kolkata, 4 November 2025:
In a significant step toward empowering rural consumers and advancing India’s financial inclusion agenda, Experian Credit Information Company of India, one of the country’s leading credit bureaus, has launched the Experian Grameen Score — a new credit scoring model aimed at expanding access to formal credit in rural regions.
The Experian Grameen Score is designed to help credit institutions evaluate the repayment behaviour and financial strength of individuals and self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas more accurately. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s mission to deepen financial inclusion and supports the Reserve Bank of India’s push for improved credit access to underserved communities.
Developed with a deep understanding of rural financial dynamics, the Grameen Score takes into account unique data points such as repayment history on small loans, credit product usage patterns in villages, and rural-to-urban migration trends. By incorporating these variables, the model provides a comprehensive view of a borrower’s creditworthiness — even for those with limited or no formal credit history.
“The Experian Grameen Score aligns with India’s agenda of inclusive growth,” said Manish Jain, Chairman, Experian Credit Information Company of India. “By helping institutions assess credit risk more effectively in rural areas, we are not only improving access to finance but also supporting the development of a more resilient and transparent credit ecosystem.”
Jain added, “Experian’s Grameen Score reflects our commitment to innovation with purpose. By combining robust data analytics with local market insights, we are enabling financial institutions to lend confidently in rural India, helping bridge the credit gap and drive sustainable economic growth.”
Empowering Rural Borrowers
The Grameen Score, which ranges from 300 to 900, functions similarly to existing consumer credit scores, making it easy for lenders to adopt. It is expected to bring tangible benefits to rural consumers, including:
- Easier access to formal credit for individuals with limited credit histories.
- Fairer and more transparent loan decisions based on responsible financial behaviour.
- Tailored borrowing costs, enabling affordable and risk-based interest rates.
- Enhanced support for women and self-help groups, recognising their growing role in rural entrepreneurship.
By providing a more holistic view of rural borrowers, the Experian Grameen Score aims to empower lenders to make faster, data-driven credit decisions for purposes ranging from agriculture and micro-enterprise development to education, housing, and personal needs.
With this initiative, Experian reinforces its role as a trusted partner in India’s financial ecosystem — using data and analytics to promote fair, informed, and responsible lending.
