PAT represents profit after tax, the net profit remaining after all expenses and taxes. It indicates bottom-line profitability and capacity to retain earnings. One-off gains or losses should be adjusted for underwriting. In MSME underwriting, it is read along with financial statements, bank statements, GST data and existing obligations to judge cash-flow strength and repayment capacity. The trend is usually more important than one isolated number, because MSME financials can be affected by seasonality, accounting treatment and one-off events. For example, the value should be compared across years and reconciled with audited statements, GST returns, bank credits and related schedules. It matters because financial interpretation can change the view on leverage, liquidity, profitability, debt-service ability and the borrower’s real operating strength. The common caution is to check calculation basis, period, exceptional items, related-party entries and consistency with GST, bank statement and audit data.