New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- Credit score has evolved into a vital part of an Indian's digital "DNA". That was the central message from Ramkumar Rajashekaran, whole-time director of CRIF Highmark, at the Mint Money Festival 2026.

Speaking at the event held on 14 February at the NSE Atrium in Mumbai, Rajashekaran highlighted a larger cultural shift-one that has made an individual's credit score more important than ever before.

Rajashekaran opened with a striking statistic: nearly 45 crore Indians are now "credit active" in the formal system.

Credit, once largely an urban phenomenon, has penetrated Tier-5 markets, semi-urban hubs and rural pockets.

"Awareness has become much better," he noted. "Today, you see youngsters proud to share a credit...