History and evolution of private credit in India

What if the smartest investment in the room isn't equity and it isn't your FD either?

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, host Anupam Gupta sits down with Shantanu Sahai, Executive Director and Head of Private Credit at ASK Alternates, to break down one of the most misunderstood and fastest-growing asset classes in India Private Credit.

Shantanu brings 25 years of global credit experience across Deutsche Bank, Barclays and Nomura, having structured over 300 transactions across sectors as diverse as mushrooms and flight simulators. Today he explains why private credit is not just for distressed companies, why it can generate returns from low teens all the way to 30%, and why chasing yield without understanding risk is the single biggest mistake most investors make.

This conversation covers the full picture from how a customised loan works versus a bank loan, to what an AIF actually is, how interest payments flow to investors, and what happens when deals go wrong. Shantanu also shares his unfiltered view on India's K-shaped recovery, which sectors are on fire right now, and why Indian corporate balance sheets are the cleanest they have been in two decades.

Whether you are an HNI exploring alternatives to equity, a family office evaluating private credit funds, or simply someone trying to understand where smart money is moving this episode will change how you think about debt as an asset class.


Key Takeaways -
Every Deal Is Different - Private credit is structured from scratch for each borrower, making it one of the most bespoke asset classes in finance.

Higher Returns, Not Higher Risk - The return premium in private credit comes from customisation, not from lending to risky or distressed businesses.

Risk Appetite Comes First - Deciding your comfort with risk before chasing a return target is the only right way to approach any alternative investment.

25 Years, Same 3 Patterns - Across 300 deals, desperation from lenders, over-optimism from borrowers and greed from investors remain the three most common reasons things go wrong.

Your Capital Will Be Locked - Private credit requires a 3 to 4 year commitment, making it suitable only for investors who do not need immediate liquidity.

India's Credit Cycle Is Strong - Corporate balance sheets are at their healthiest in two decades and bank NPAs are near historic lows, making this a strong entry point for credit investors.



From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.

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