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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
73% MSMEs report business growth via digital adoption, led by UPI and smartphones: Survey
MUMBAI: The third edition of the MSME Digital Index Report, released on Saturday by PayNearby , a branchless banking and digital network, reveals that over 73% of small businesses across semi-urban and rural India have seen increased income or improved operational efficiency as a result of adopting digital tools. With smartphones becoming the dominant mode of business management and UPI emerging as the most preferred transaction method, the findings indicate a deeper, more confident shift towards digital enablement at the last mile. The third edition of the MSME Digital Index 2025 showcases digital consumption, tech awareness, behavioural patterns, and business transformation among micro-entrepreneurs, with a focus on gender representation. The insights were gathered through a nationwide survey conducted among 10,000 individuals and MSMEs in retail-focused segments such as kirana stores, mobile recharge outlets, medical shops, customer service points (CSPs), and travel agencies. Smartphone usage remains central to their operations, with 71% of respondents citing it as their primary business device. Among women entrepreneurs, this number is significantly higher at 84%, indicating rising comfort with mobile-led infrastructure in driving customer engagement. Daily internet usage continues to rise, with 69% respondents consuming between 2GB to 5GB of data, largely supported by mobile hotspots, with 86% spending around ₹500–₹1,000 per month on internet usage. Digital payments continue to gain strong acceptance among MSMEs, with UPI emerging as the most preferred mode of transaction at 48%, followed by Aadhaar-enabled banking at 39%. Among women entrepreneurs, Aadhaar banking saw even higher preference at 42%, reflecting increasing trust in secure, tech-enabled services such as fingerprint and face authentication. These channels offer transaction efficiency and payment convenience, while also helping them build digital credibility for improved access to formal credit in the future. The impact of going digital is becoming more tangible for small businesses. Of those reporting benefits from digital adoption, 33% cited improved operational efficiency. These insights point to a growing realisation among MSMEs that digital tools are not just convenient but critical for scaling businesses sustainably in a competitive market. Live Events As digital tools become more embedded in daily business, the role of language and ease of use becomes increasingly important. 56% of respondents prefer English for understanding and navigating platforms, followed by Hindi at 25%. Among women entrepreneurs, 38% expressed a preference for vernacular interfaces, highlighting the continued need for regionally localised, intuitive tech platforms that better reflect how Bharat operates. A small but notable 7% of respondents have begun exploring automated or AI-powered tools, including inventory apps, automated billing systems, and customer engagement platforms, mostly through third-party solutions. This emerging trend is reflected in the growing use of structured digital workflows such as transaction reports, WhatsApp-based follow-ups, and service-wise earnings tracking. It marks a shift toward more efficient, process-driven ways of working. These early signals point to rising curiosity and readiness among small businesses to explore advanced tools, as solutions become simpler to understand and use. A growing number of respondents, both men and women, are actively building their skills to use these tools more effectively. Around 26% of respondents reported attending some form of training, whether through local community programs, online tutorials, or partner-led workshops. This reflects a shift from passive adoption to active learning, with small businesses showing increasing interest in building digital skills for long-term success. Among women respondents, 79% reported that digital adoption had a measurable positive impact on their business performance. Nearly half said that access to digital services enabled them to contribute more actively to household finances, make independent decisions, or expand their customer base. Beyond financial gains, many also cited improved confidence in managing their businesses digitally, marking an early but important shift in long-term behavioural and social change. The use of business software among MSMEs continues to evolve. Accounting tools are now used by 30% of respondents, followed by 18% using point-of-sale (POS) systems and 13% adopting customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. POS usage among women respondents has shown a notable increase, with 22% reporting adoption. YouTube continues to be the most preferred entertainment platform, with 70% of respondents using it during leisure hours. Beyond entertainment, it is also widely accessed for learning, how-to videos, and brand-related content. WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business remain the most commonly used communication tools for business purposes across both male and female respondents, supporting activities such as product promotions, customer engagement, and order coordination. While the social and entertainment app landscape continues to evolve, the choice of platforms increasingly reflects business intent. Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said in a statement, 'The MSME sector is the backbone of Bharat's economy, and the rapid adoption of digital tools such as smartphones, UPI, Aadhaar-enabled banking, and emerging AI workflows is proof that this segment is embracing modernisation. What stands out is not just usage, but growing digital confidence across the country. That confidence is enabling entrepreneurs to operate more efficiently and tap into formal financial systems with ease and transparency.' Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby and Program Director, Digital Naari, said in a statement, 'This year's report highlights the growing participation of women in the digital economy, particularly across financial services and customer engagement. As more women take on entrepreneurial roles, it becomes essential to design solutions that are localised, easy to use, and built for convenience. Their engagement is creating tangible outcomes not just for their businesses but for their communities, accelerating change where it is needed most.' She added that women respondents, who accounted for 34% of this year's sample, are demonstrating greater confidence in managing their business digitally.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- India Gazette
Cybersecurity Workshop by Women and Child Development Ministry boosts digital safety, resilience across governance systems
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, organised a 'Cyber Security Awareness Workshop' on Friday at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. It focused on spreading awareness about online safety, cyber threats, and safe internet practices, especially for women and children, who are at the heart of nation-building. This workshop marks the first phase of a larger initiative. The next phase will take this effort to the field level, ensuring that cyber awareness and digital security practices permeate to frontline workers, Anganwadi staff, and state-level stakeholders who are critical to the Ministry's service delivery network. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from officers and officials of the Ministry of Women and Child Development including its subsidiaries and autonomous bodies such as the National Commission for Women (NCW), Savitribai Phule National Institute for Women and Child Development, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Top cybersecurity minds from government and industry assembled for this workshop to take a 360 view on tackling digital threats. Experts from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) - Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the increasing complexity of cybercrime and the need for heightened awareness and enhanced coordination. CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), the national nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, shared insights on cybersecurity, policy and data protection. PwC India brought real-world hacks to the table, revealing why digital resilience is non-negotiable. From phishing to portal security, sessions empowered participants with practical tools. They reinforced one core message: Cybersecurity isn't a one-time fix -- it's a daily habit rooted in vigilance and responsibility. Speaking on the occasion, Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, said that we live in a time when our work and communication are deeply integrated with digital platforms. As government functionaries handling sensitive data, it is essential that we remain vigilant and well-informed. According to Malik, this workshop is a timely initiative aimed at equipping us with the right knowledge and practices. He urged all to make the most of these sessions. Over the past decade, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has adopted technology to drive inclusive development and efficient service delivery. Initiatives like the Poshan Tracker- Recognised with the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence 2024, have replaced manual records with real-time dashboards across 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres, enabling data-driven decision-making and service delivery for over 10 crore beneficiaries. According to the WCD, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana operates entirely through a paperless, Aadhaar-enabled DBT system, with mobile-based registration and real-time grievance redressal for the direct disbursement of funds to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. The adoption of Facial recognition ensures accurate beneficiary authentication. At the same time, platforms like She-Box and Mission Shakti Portal, as well as the Mission Vatsalya Portal, offer technology-led access to safety and legal redressal. As digital reliance grows, ensuring cybersecurity is crucial. Awareness and capacity building on cyber hygiene are crucial for protecting data and maintaining trust in these systems. Through this initiative, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding digital spaces and creating a safe, transparent, and accountable digital governance environment. As India moves forward in its Amrit Kaal, the transformative period towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, the Ministry is dedicated to equipping its ecosystem with the tools and knowledge required to contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Nearly 700 entities join account aggregator system; 15 crore accounts linked: Sitharaman
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that in just 3 years, nearly 700 entities as of Financial Year (FY) 2025 across banking, insurance, securities, and pensions have joined the Account Aggregator (AA) platform, up from only 24 in FY22. Addressing a gathering at the Digital Payments Awards 2025 in New Delhi, Sitharaman noted the surge in adoption of the AA platform--a consent-based data-sharing framework aimed at improving access to financial services. The number of accounts linked through AA has soared to over 15 crore, compared to just 1.5 lakh in FY22. Highlighted the rapid digital transformation in India's financial ecosystem, Sitharaman said that the expansion of AAs platforms has facilitated loans worth over Rs 88,700 crore and empowered nearly 1 crore users to manage their personal finances more efficiently while significantly lowering onboarding costs for financial intermediaries. 'The number of accounts linked through AA has soared to over 15 crores, compared to a mere 1.5 lakh in FY22 - driving loans worth over Rs 88,700 crore and empowering nearly 1 crore personal finance management users, while lowering onboarding costs for intermediaries,' Sitharaman said. The Finance Minister also highlighted the success of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in transforming welfare delivery. Since its inception in 2014, nearly Rs 44 lakh crore has been transferred through DBT, ensuring full transparency in government transfers and schemes. The government has saved Rs 3.48 lakh crore by eliminating leakages due to the integration of digital infrastructure and real-time Aadhaar-enabled systems, she added. Finance Minister further added, 'Every fintech firm should view rural India as a fertile ground - not just as a social responsibility but as an opportunity to create new markets.' Concluding her address, Sitharaman encouraged fintech firms to look beyond urban markets. 'Rural India is not just a social responsibility. It is a fertile ground for innovation, inclusion, and opportunity. The next big wave of growth lies in Bharat beyond the metros.' During the Fintech Payments Award 2025, the major fintechs PhonePe, PayTm, and Google Pay got the first, second and third places as the leaders in the offline digital payments acceptance infrastructure category. Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and Uco Bank received the first, second and third positions under the public bank category, while HDFC Bank, City Bank and IDFC Bank were winners of the private bank category. Equitas Small Finance Bank and India Post Payments Bank were recognised as the players redefining financial access and inclusion at the grassroots level. Under the fraud prevention and grievance redressal category, Canara Bank and Yes Bank were awarded as a special mention while WhatsApp Meta, Navi, and Mobikwik jointly shared the first spot, and Jupiter Money and FamApp received the award under the third-party App Providers (TPAPs) category.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nearly 700 entities join account aggregator system; 15 crore accounts linked: Union minister Sitharaman
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that in just 3 years, nearly 700 entities as of Financial Year (FY) 2025 across banking, insurance, securities, and pensions have joined the Account Aggregator (AA) platform, up from only 24 in FY22. Addressing a gathering at the Digital Payments Awards 2025 in New Delhi, Sitharaman noted the surge in adoption of the AA platform--a consent-based data-sharing framework aimed at improving access to financial services. The number of accounts linked through AA has soared to over 15 crore, compared to just 1.5 lakh in FY22. Highlighted the rapid digital transformation in India's financial ecosystem, Sitharaman said that the expansion of AAs platforms has facilitated loans worth over Rs 88,700 crore and empowered nearly 1 crore users to manage their personal finances more efficiently while significantly lowering onboarding costs for financial intermediaries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tanger: Repossessed Houses For Sale At Prices That May Surprise You Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo "The number of accounts linked through AA has soared to over 15 crores, compared to a mere 1.5 lakh in FY22 - driving loans worth over Rs 88,700 crore and empowering nearly 1 crore personal finance management users, while lowering onboarding costs for intermediaries," Sitharaman said. The Finance Minister also highlighted the success of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in transforming welfare delivery. Since its inception in 2014, nearly Rs 44 lakh crore has been transferred through DBT, ensuring full transparency in government transfers and schemes. Live Events The government has saved Rs 3.48 lakh crore by eliminating leakages due to the integration of digital infrastructure and real-time Aadhaar-enabled systems, she added. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Finance Minister further added, "Every fintech firm should view rural India as a fertile ground - not just as a social responsibility but as an opportunity to create new markets." Concluding her address, Sitharaman encouraged fintech firms to look beyond urban markets. "Rural India is not just a social responsibility. It is a fertile ground for innovation, inclusion, and opportunity. The next big wave of growth lies in Bharat beyond the metros." During the Fintech Payments Award 2025, the major fintechs PhonePe , PayTm , and Google Pay got the first, second and third places as the leaders in the offline digital payments acceptance infrastructure category. Punjab National Bank , Bank of Baroda and Uco Bank received the first, second and third positions under the public bank category, while HDFC Bank , City Bank and IDFC Bank were winners of the private bank category. Equitas Small Finance Bank and India Post Payments Bank were recognised as the players redefining financial access and inclusion at the grassroots level. Under the fraud prevention and grievance redressal category, Canara Bank and Yes Bank were awarded as a special mention while WhatsApp Meta, Navi, and Mobikwik jointly shared the first spot, and Jupiter Money and FamApp received the award under the third-party App Providers (TPAPs) category.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Karnataka health department to switch to app-based attendance
BENGALURU: Health institutions across Karnataka will switch to a mobile-based attendance system for staff, replacing the existing Aadhaar-enabled biometric devices from July 1. The state has issued an order mandating the rollout of the Karnataka Attendance Management System (KAMS) across the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The move aims to address recurring issues with the current hardware-based system, including high maintenance costs, limited coverage in the field and remote locations, and frequent technical breakdowns. The mobile-based system will use Aadhaar-enabled face authentication, enabling attendance tracking across more than 12,000 healthcare institutions without the need for physical infrastructure. Department officials believe the shift will not only reduce operational costs but also enable better attendance monitoring and provide greater flexibility for field staff. Officials at all levels, from district surgeons to divisional directors, have been instructed to ensure the system is implemented by the deadline.
