Abstract

This proposed study examines whether the way micro-retailers organise and reconcile Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction records is associated with their readiness to seek formal business credit. Research has established that digital payment histories can support lending decisions, and that digitalisation is related to credit access among smaller enterprises. However, the existence of digital payment records does not automatically mean that a retailer maintains complete accounts, distinguishes business and personal transactions, or can assemble the documents required for a credit application. The study will investigate these practical links among micro-retailers in Nagpur, Maharashtra. A mixed-method design is proposed: a structured survey will measure UPI use, bookkeeping practices, transaction reconciliation, financial literacy and self-reported credit readiness; follow-up interviews will explore retailers’ experiences and constraints. Secondary evidence from peer-reviewed research, official publications and relevant MSME reports will contextualise the findings. The study will not assume that UPI use causes loan approval, nor will it claim to measure lender-assessed creditworthiness unless verified lending outcomes can be obtained. Its intended contribution is a local, practice-oriented account of the conditions under which digital payment records may become usable financial evidence for small businesses.