Santosh Agarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar, said that credit is a necessary life tool rather than a luxury for people in India [1].

This perspective highlights a shift in how consumers approach debt, suggesting that borrowing is a strategic requirement for achieving middle-class stability. As financial goals evolve, the ability to access credit determines how quickly individuals can secure essential assets.

Agarwal said that credit becomes particularly vital as people enter new stages of life. He said that the financial demands of adulthood often exceed the immediate capacity of personal savings [1].

According to Agarwal, the transition into married life brings specific financial pressures that require external funding. He said, "After marriage you will need a car, trips, a home" [1].

He described credit as a mechanism to bridge the gap between current income and the cost of these milestones. Because these goals are often too expensive to fund through cash alone, he said that credit is a utility most people will eventually require [1].

Agarwal said, "Credit is not a luxury but a life tool most people will eventually need" [1]. By framing credit as a tool, the CEO suggests that maintaining a healthy credit profile is a prerequisite for long-term financial planning.

His comments emphasize the role of the financial services industry in facilitating these transitions. For many consumers, the ability to secure a loan is the primary factor in whether they can afford a primary residence, or reliable transportation [1].

“"After marriage you will need a car, trips, a home"”

The framing of credit as a 'life tool' reflects the growing financialization of the Indian middle class, where the ability to leverage debt is increasingly seen as a requirement for social and economic mobility. By linking credit directly to marriage and homeownership, the industry is positioning credit scores as essential markers of adult readiness and stability.