New Delhi, March 9 -- Gold, an asset traditionally saved for a rainy day in most Indian households, remains largely untouched. However, as gold prices soar, a shift is emerging in the gold loan space.

The current momentum in the gold loan market is more than just a reaction to record-high prices; it reflects a deeper change in how India views a deeply emotional asset.

The traditional stigma associated with "pledging gold" is gradually fading, according to industry players. Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot FinCorp Ltd, said India is witnessing a "structural evolution rather than a price-led cycle."

Gold loans are no longer the desperate last-resort options they once were. Instead, MSMEs, small traders and households are increasingly viewi...