India Effort for Financial Inclusion

INDIA’S EFFORTS FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Lead Bank Scheme

• The Reserve Bank of India introduced the Lead Bank Scheme in 1969 as a means of extending banking services to rural communities.

• The DR Gadgil study group, which introduced the concept of social banking during the post-independence era, suggested the LBS.

• The lead bank conducts surveys and extends credit

facilities to different industries.

• The lead bank acts as a leader for coordinating the efforts of all credit institutions in the allotted districts to increase the flow of credit to agriculture, MSE and other economic activities with the district being the basic unit in terms of geographical area.

Banking Ombudsman Scheme

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced an Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019. The Scheme will provide a cost-free and expeditious complaint redressal mechanism relating to deficiency in customer services in digital transactions conducted through non-bank entities regulated by RBI. The scheme is being introduced under Section 18 Payment and settlement Systems Act, 2007, with effect from January 31, 2019.

Some of the salient features of the Scheme are

The scheme defines ‘deficiency in service’ as the ground for filing a complaint, with a specified list of exclusions. Therefore, the complaints would no longer be rejected simply on account of “not covered under the grounds listed in the scheme”.

The scheme has done away with the jurisdiction of each

ombudsman office.

A Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre has been set up at RBI, Chandigarh for receipt and initial processing of physical and email complaints in any language.

The responsibility of representing the Regulated Entity and furnishing information in respect of complaints filed by customers against the Regulated Entity would be that of the Principal Nodal Officer in the rank of a General Manager in a Public Sector Bank or equivalent.

The Regulated Entity will not have the right to appeal in cases where an Award is issued by the ombudsman against it for not furnishing satisfactory and timely information/documents.

Recent major initiatives to improve Financial Inclusion

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): This government program, launched in 2014, is one of the world’s largest financial inclusion initiatives. Led by the Ministry of Finance, it aims to provide affordable banking services to underprivileged populations. Some of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana benefits include simplified access to all privileges under the scheme and no minimum balance requirements.

It is a zero-balance savings account.

Hassle-free “small savings account” opening for those without valid government documents.

Insurance benefits up to Rs. 1 lakh.

Instant issue of ATM card and 4 free withdrawals at other Nationalised Bank ATMs.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to create a social security system for all Indians, particularly the underprivileged and informal sector workers who lack such benefits. Its primary focus is to provide retirement security.

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY):

Introduced in 2017, this program offers guaranteed

pensions to senior citizens. It aims to provide social security and protect them from fluctuating market interest rates. Implemented through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), it’s backed by the government and has a maximum investment limit of ₹15 lakh.

Stand Up India Scheme: Launched in 2016, this initiative by the Ministry of Finance promotes entrepreneurship among women and marginalized communities (Scheduled Castes and Tribes) at the grassroots level. It focuses on economic empowerment and job creation by facilitating bank loans between ₹10 lakh and 1 crore for one SC/ST borrower and one-woman borrower per bank branch in greenfield ventures (new businesses) across manufacturing, services, trading and agriculture sectors.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): Launched in 2015, this government scheme provides loans of up to ₹10 lakh to small and micro businesses that are not corporations and are not involved in agriculture. MUDRA (Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd.) acts as a financing intermediary, channeling funds through banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to these businesses.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): Introduced in 2015, this government program provides affordable life insurance for low-income individuals aged 18-70. For a yearly premium of Rs.12, it offers coverage of Rs.2 lakh in case of accidental death or permanent disability. Account opening is included.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Launched in 2015 as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative, this savings scheme encourages parents of girl children to invest in their future. It offers a high interest rate (currently 8.4%) with tax benefits. Accounts can be opened at post offices or authorized banks.

Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme (CEGS) for Scheduled Castes (SCs): This scheme, launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, aims to support entrepreneurship among Scheduled Castes. It provides a guarantee to lending institutions that finance such businesses.

Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes: This national initiative promotes entrepreneurship among this population group. “Entrepreneurship” refers to individuals or businesses driving innovation and growth.

The fund aims to support entrepreneurs who create value

for society and run successful businesses.

Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY): Implemented by the Ministry of Finance, VPBY is a social security scheme for seniors. Launched in 2003 and relaunched in 2014, it guarantees a minimum pension based on the invested amount.

Priority Sector Lending (PSL)

Priority sector lending (PSL) is a lending requirement administered by the RBI, requiring banks to give a minimum proportion of their loans to sectors of development importance or the sectors that have difficulty of getting loans.

The RBI is periodically updating the sectors that are eligible to get priority sector lending and the limits of loans. Similarly, the regulations identify institutions that are obliged to provide these loans.

According to priority sector norms, scheduled commercial banks have to give 40% of their loans (measured in terms of Adjusted Net Bank Credit or ANBC) to the identified priority sectors in accordance with the RBI regulations.

There are specific limits for Commercial Banks including RRBs, Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks and Urban Cooperative Banks. The regulations are modified periodically by setting limits for subsectors and other qualifications for the beneficiary groups. If these targets are not realized, banks have to finance the development programmes implemented by the government for the specific sectors.

Several changes are made in PSL norms in recent years, and this includes new eligible categories: MSMEs, social infrastructure and renewable energy. A separate target for small and marginal farmers (8% for 2021, gradually to be increased to 10% by 2024), microenterprises (7.5%) and weaker sections (10% in 2021, to be increased 12% by 2024). The priority sector non-achievement is assessed on a quarterly average basis.

Banks that have to implement the PSL norms (Applicability of PSL norms)

Commercial Banks [including Regional Rural Bank

(RRB), Small Finance Bank (SFB), Local Area Bank] and

Primary (Urban) Co-operative Bank (UCB) other than

Salary Earners’ Bank.

UCBs have to achieve a PSL target of 75% by 2024 in a phased manner.

Weaker Sections

• From the above categories, a subcategory called Weaker Sections is also identified so that they can get special preference under PSL. The new regulations stipulate that banks should give 10% (2021 and be increased to 12% by 2024) of their loans to the weaker sections.

Weaker sections under the PSL

• Small and Marginal Farmers.

• Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual

credit limits do not exceed Rs. 1 lakh.

• Recipients of government-sponsored schemes including the Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM).

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

• Beneficiaries of Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme.

• Self Help Groups.

• Distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders.

• Distressed persons other than farmers.

• Individual women beneficiaries up to Rs. 1 lakh per borrower.

• Persons with disabilities.

• Minority communities may be notified by the Government of India from time to time.

The National Strategy for Financial Education (NSFE): 2020-2025

• The NSFE document intends to support the Vision of the Government of India and Financial Sector Regulators by empowering various sections of the population to develop adequate knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour which are needed to manage their money better and plan for their future.

• It has been released by the Head of the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL) The Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 20th August 2020. The Strategy has recommended a ‘5 C’ approach for the dissemination of financial education in the country.

• This NSFE for the period 2020-25, the second one after the 2013-18 NSFE, has been prepared by the National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) in consultation with all the Financial Sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and

PFRDA), DFS and other Ministries of Govt. of India and other stakeholders (DFIs, SROs, IBA, NPCI) under the aegis of the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy under the Chairmanship of Deputy Governor, RBI.

The recommendations laid down in the Strategy under each of the ‘5 Cs’ are as under:

Content

Financial Literacy content for school children (including curriculum and coscholastic), teachers, young adults, women, new entrants at workplace/ entrepreneurs (MSMEs), senior citizens, persons with disabilities, illiterate people, etc.

Capacity

Develop the capacity of various intermediaries who can be involved in providing financial literacy.

Develop a ‘Code of Conduct’ for financial education

providers.

Community

Evolve community led approaches for disseminating financial literacy in a sustainable manner.

Communication

Use technology, mass media channels and innovative ways of communication for dissemination of financial education messages.

Identify a specific period in the year to disseminate financial literacy messages on a large/ focused scale.

Leverage on Public Places with greater visibility (e.g., Bus Stands, Railway Stations, etc.) for meaningful dissemination of financial literacy messages.

Collaboration

Preparation of an Information Dashboard.

Integrate financial education content in school curriculum, various Professional and Vocational courses (undertaken by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) through their Sector Skilling Missions and the likes of B.Ed./M.Ed. programmes.

Integrate financial education dissemination as part of various on-going programmes.

Streamline efforts of other stakeholders for financial literacy. The Strategy also suggests adoption of a robust ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Framework’ to assess the progress made under the Strategy.

• Financial Inclusion Index (FII)

• Financial Inclusion Index (FII) is published by RBI annually. It is based on the three pillars of access, usage and quality of financial service. In 2025, the

index has achieved the score of 67 which record the rise of 24.3% since 2021.

As per the Global Findex 2025, the account holders in India have reached to 89 per cent since 2011 and reported that active accounts of adult population of India have significantly increased.

• Financial Inclusion Index (FII)

• Financial Inclusion Index (FII) is published by RBI annually. It is based on the three pillars of access, usage and quality of financial service. In 2025, the

index has achieved the score of 67 which record the rise of 24.3% since 2021.

As per the Global Findex 2025, the account holders in India have reached to 89 per cent since 2011 and reported that active accounts of adult population of India have significantly increased.