This report presents insights on the financial behaviours and characteristics of low-income households, based on primary research undertaken in Jaipur. Drawing on Catalyst’s research and operational experience, the report recommends potential business models for serving low-income urban clusters sustainably.
Publications
Compendium of Reports on Home-based Businesses
This report elaborates on potential pain-points in business operations and the financial context where digital financial service providers and policy-makers at large can innovate to provide the necessary support structures for Home-Based Businesses (HBBs) to improve their financial health.
India Child Well-being Report
This report aims to measure child well-being as a state of being that facilitates i) Healthy Individual Development, ii) Positive Relationships and iii) Protective Contexts. The indices and the scores on child well-being have been computed using a rigorous methodology … Read More
Measuring Open Defecation in India Using Survey Questions: Evidence from a Randomised Survey Experiment
This paper presents findings from a study that investigates differences in reported open defecation between a question about latrine use or open defecation for every household member and a household-level question.
Knowing What’s Good for You: Can a Repayment Flexibility Option in Microfinance Contracts Improve Repayment Rates and Business Outcomes?
Flexible microfinance contracts can help borrowers mitigate the negative effects of income fluctuations. But the additional liquidity repayment flexibility entails can increase default. Can this risk be mitigated by using contract price as a screening mechanism? The authors implement a … Read More
Digitisation of Self-Help Groups in India
Digitisation in the processes followed by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can have significant streamlining effects. This report highlights the current initiatives undertaken within the technology space and maps the trajectory of digitisation that various promoting agencies have followed. It further identifies … Read More
Women In Business: The Many Shades Of Grit And Perseverance
In this compendium, we feature journeys of entrepreneurs from diverse sections of society and highlight the role of grit and perseverance in enabling their success.
Making Digital Finance Work for Women: Insights from an Innovative Training Program for MFI Clients
This brief captures insights from an awareness generation and training program for MFI clients. The publication was developed as part of a multi-year capacity building program undertaken by LEAD and Sa-Dhan (Association of Community Development Finance Institutions), with assistance from … Read More
Digital is Good for Business, Adds Value for Consumers
This field story captures insights from a small merchant’s experience of running an e-Mitra centre in Jaipur, and highlights the barriers in nudging customers to pay digitally at the point of sale.
Tuning into the Sound of Digital Transactions
This field story captures insights from a small merchant’s experience of running an e-Mitra centre in Jaipur, and highlights the potential for digitising P2B and P2G payments.