Financial Inclusion in India-A Review

Financial inclusion has been widely recognized as an engine of economic and social development. World Bank group laid stress on the role of financial inclusion in poverty reduction and boosting shared prosperity. Increasing the importance of financial inclusion for inclusive growth has gained the attention of researchers and academicians across the world. This review deals with the findings of research studies conducted on the extent and status of financial inclusion in India. A review of empirical findings revealed that despite many initiatives taken jointly by the Government and Reserve Bank of India, financial services outreach was not been very satisfactory. People particularly in rural areas, still did not have access to banking services. Evidence of gaps in financial inclusiveness in the country could also be perceived from the review. Lack of awareness and financial literacy, high cost of financial services, continued dependence of rural people on moneylenders, regional disparities in terms of outreach, etc. emerged as some of the critical issues. Hence, the study suggested that some concrete steps need to be taken by the government to improve the status of financial inclusion

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morshadul Hasan ◽  
Thi Le ◽  
Ariful Hoque

AbstractInclusive finance is a core concept of finance that makes various financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses, especially those excluded from the formal financial system. One of the leading forces affecting people's ability to access financial services in rural areas is financial literacy. This study investigated the impacts of financial knowledge on financial access through banking, microfinance, and fintech access using the Bangladesh rural population data. We employed three econometrics models: logistic regression, probit regression, and complementary log–log regression to examine whether financial literacy significantly affects removing the barriers that prevent people from participating and using financial services to improve their lives. The empirical findings showed that knowledge regarding various financial services factors had significant impacts on getting financial access. Some variables such as profession, income level, knowledge regarding depositing and withdrawing money, and knowledge regarding interest rate highly affected the overall access to finance. The study's results provide valuable recommendations for the policymaker to improve financial inclusion in the developing country context. A comprehensive and long-term education program should be delivered broadly to the rural population to make a big stride in financial inclusion, a key driver of poverty reduction and prosperity boosting.


Author(s):  
Mahesh K. M. ◽  
P. S. Aithal ◽  
Sharma K. R. S.

Purpose: The foremost intent of this research article is to create awareness about various schemes for the productive sector of agriculture. Through this study, the level of performance of these agricultural schemes and programmes were analysed that will be helpful for the attainment of financial inclusion. Hence it is necessary to know about various schemes and their making to connect the beneficiaries. Agriculture is the basic source of food supply, production, processing, promotion and distribution. Agricultural products contribute to Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) and generate employment in rural areas. They transform the lives of the farmers in modern society. The government of India has introduced Minimum Support Price (MPS), MIF, PMKSY, PMFBY, e-NAM, PM-KISAN, PMJDY, PM-KUSUM, PKVY, NAMS, and MGNREGS. The mobile app KisanSuvidha and innovative programmes like Kisan Rail, KrishiUdaan double the farmers’ Income (DFI). These help in transforming village economy, coverage of irrigation, crop insurance, and stabilizing the income. They also ensure financial support, flow of credit and Direct Benefit transfer of subsidies and funds to beneficiaries. Adopting modern technology, farm-based activity, poultry, dairy, forestry, beekeeping and with the support of SHGs which will directly impact productivity, profitability, financial inclusion, and the welfare of farmers in the 21st century and development of the country’s economy. Design/ methodology/approaches: This study is all about the theoretical concepts based on analysis of various schemes and interconnect. Findings and results: This study reveals that the effectiveness of various agricultural programs and also identifies the benefits and beneficiaries of these schemes. Under this research, various financial services, subsidies, funds released, online platform for agricultural products, funds for micro-irrigation, and so on benefits provided by the government of India were studied. Originality/value: Analysed the various schemes and compelled its beneficiaries and develop a modern to achieve financial inclusion and economic growth through the study. Type of Paper: Research Analysis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-182
Author(s):  
David Mhlanga ◽  
◽  
Steven Henry Dunga ◽  
Tankiso Moloi ◽  
◽  
...  

The study sought to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Zimbabwe among the smallholder farmers. It is alleged that financial inclusion can help in achieving seven of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include poverty eradication in all its forms everywhere, ending hunger, achieving food security, ensuring improved nutrition as well as promoting sustainable agriculture and many others. Using the simple regression method, the study discovered that financial inclusion has a strong impact on poverty reduction among smallholder farmers. The study went on to discover that, for the government to tackle poverty especially among the smallholder farmers, it is important to ensure that farmers do participate in the financial sector through saving, borrowing and taking out insurance among other services. So, it is important for the government of Zimbabwe to fully implement policies that encourage financial inclusion such as making sure that farmers find it easy to access financial institutions and encouraging financial institutions to review transaction costs like bank account opening charges periodically, implementing financial education programs among the farmers because these variables are important in influencing farmers to participate or preventing them from using financial services.


2021 ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
Novita Briliani Saragi

To stimulate rural development and reduce poverty in rural areas, The Government of Indonesia enacted the policy of Village Fund in 2014. However, a few studies have been conducted to examine this program. This study describes how poverty alleviation goes following Village Fund Program in Indonesia between 2015-2019. The poverty reduction was represented by holistic data, including insufficient and village status improvement through the Village Development Index (VDI). The analysis is conducted using a descriptive method by dividing the areas into six regions, Sumatera, Java & Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku & NT, and Papua. The result showed that over five years, the village fund dramatically increases. Moreover, this growth is along with the slight decline the poverty. The researchers found that the decreasing number of poverty from 2015 to 2019 is about 15%. The VDI status for districts/municipalities shows that the status improved from underdeveloped villages in 2015 to developing villages in 2019. Java is the region that contributed to making the status improved either to be developing, developed, or independent. At the same time, it is the Papua region known as the region consisting of most of the least underdeveloped villages. Since the goal of this policy in poverty reduction still works slowly, it needs a lot of effort from many levels of government, from the village, regional, and national officials, to work together cooperatively.


Author(s):  
Lettiah Gumbo ◽  
Precious Dube ◽  
Muhammad Ridwan

One of the most effective catalysts of economic growth of any nation is obviously financial inclusion. However, in developing countries such as Zimbabwe gender gap is still an impediment to the achievement of financial inclusion for all. Research findings for this paper show that, increasing women’s financial opportunities and financial awareness on how to access financial products and services will go a long way in reducing the gender gap. Furthermore, increasing access to and use of quality financial products and services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Although the government of Zimbabwe is taking steps to increase women financial inclusiveness, research shows that women in Zimbabwe trail behind men in as far as access to financial services is concerned. Zimbabwean communities remain dominantly patriarchal and women are always lagging behind in developmental projects meant for their empowerment. This paper seeks to assess the implementation of women’s financial inclusion highlighting opportunities and barriers such as the gender gap and how this may be overcome. The study is qualitative in nature and therefore makes use of interviews and questionnaires for data collection. It is envisioned by the researchers that the research findings will be beneficial to women; their empowerment and development and national development. It is hoped to change the way in which the banking and financial sectors deal with women’s financial inclusion for the betterment of their livelihoods.  Furthermore, women’s financial empowerment will improve livelihoods of many families given the caring nature of mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Ma’rufa Khotiawan ◽  
Muhammad Luthfiansyah

<p>The<strong> </strong>results of the survey of literacy and Financial Inclusion Shari'ah in Indonesia 2016 each show numbers 8.11 %  and 11.06 %. Whereas the inhabitants of the religion of Islam in Indonesia more than 85%. With this then needs to be formulated strategies that can increase the level of literacy and financial inclusion shari'ah in Indonesia. The importance of literacy improvement and Financial Inclusion Shari'ah to improve the behavior of the community in financial management and to improve the welfare of them. So that priorities are intended to know how the strategy applied to increasing literacy and Financial Inclusion Shari'ah. This research uses qualitative research method with the approach of the case study. The results of this research are some government policy that is contained in the form of National Strategy for Financial Literacy Indonesia (SNLKI) to improve financial literacy Shari'ah and inclusive Financial National Strategy (SNKI) to improve financial inclusion. But the next research needs to examined and monitored about various programs to increase shari'a literacy and financial inclusion is doing by the government.</p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Sharia Financial Literacy, Sharia Financial Inclusion, the strategy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
S. Sheik Abdullah ◽  
A. Krishna Kumar

Financial inclusion takes into account the participation of vulnerable groups such as weaker sections of the society and low income groups, based on the extent of their access to financial services such as savings and payment account, credit insurance, pensions etc. Also the objective of financial inclusion exercise is easy availability of financial services which allows maximum investment in business opportunities, education, save for retirement, insurance against risks by the rural individuals and firms. The penetration of financial services in the rural areas of India is still very low. The factors responsible for this condition can be looked at from both supply side and demand side and the major reason for low penetration of financial services is, probably, lack of supply. The reasons for low demand for financial services could be low income level, lack of financial literacy, other bank accounts in the family, etc. On the other hand, the supply side factors include no bank branch in the vicinity, lack of suitable products meeting the needs of the poor people, complex processes and language barriers. There is no studies conducted earlier especially financial inclusion initiatives with refugee inhabitants. Therefore this study was undertaken to propose the model of refugee inhabitants towards financial inclusion initiatives by the banks. The exhibited model consisting four essential factors, which are very useful for measuring financial inclusion practices.


Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Phemelo Magau

The promotion of financial inclusion is important for the combating of financial exclusion in many countries, including South Africa. Nonetheless, most low-income earners living in rural areas and informal settlements are still struggling to gain access to basic financial products and financial services in South Africa. This status quo has been caused by a number of factors such as the absence of an adequate financial inclusion policy, the geographical remoteness of financial institutions to most low-income earners, rigid identity documentary requirements, a lack of access to reliable and affordable Internet connection by low-income earners living in informal settlements and rural areas, a lack of financial illiteracy, the high costs of financial services, unemployment and poverty, over-indebtedness, and cultural and psychological hindrances to low-income earners in South Africa. Consequently, these factors have somewhat limited the access to financial services offered by financial institutions to low-income earners living in rural areas and informal settlements. In many countries, including South Africa, the financial sector is relying on innovative technology, especially in banking institutions, to aid in the offering of financial services to their customers. It is against this background that this article discusses selected legal and related challenges affecting the regulation and use of innovative technology to promote financial inclusion for low-income earners in South Africa. The article further discusses possible measures that could be adopted by the government, financial institutions and other relevant regulatory bodies to promote the use of innovative technology to combat the financial exclusion of low-income earners in South Africa.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 314-318
Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Litvinova

The article touches upon the issues of financial literacy development in Russia. The author considers financial literacy as a set of procedures that build up the system of financial literacy institution development including financial inclusion, an increase in financial literacy and a strengthening of the protection of consumers’ rights in regard to financial services. The author presents research findings that indicate a poor financial literacy level in Russia. The key conclusion reflects the goal of the paper: the development of the financial literacy system depends on the demand for innovative financial services and the measures taken by the government to develop the financial literacy system.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar Sharma

India is a country where a sizeable amount of population lives in rural areas. They are engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Most of the people living in rural areas are poor. They do not have any access to the banks. The awareness and access of the poor to the banking services is important for the alleviation of the poverty. Their access to the banking services will contribute a lot to the growth and development of our country’s economy. Financial inclusion is a great weapon to overcome the financial backwardness as well as the establishment of good governance.It broadens the resource base of the financial system by developing a culture of savings among large segment of rural population, disadvantaged group and plays an essential role in the process of economic development. The Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have been making concentrated efforts periodically to overcome such vicious problems by promoting Financial Inclusion, being one of the important national objectives of the country. Since first phase of nationalization (1969) GoI continuously promoting financial inclusion through self-help groups, no frills account, simplification of KYC, Business correspondents etc., but no palpable effect could be seen in the plight of these financially vulnerable people. To mitigate this long drawn financial sufferings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new scheme in his Independence Day speech on 15th Aug 2014 called Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana (PMJDY). Mission of PMJDY is to ensure easy access of financial services for the excluded section i.e. weaker section and the low income group. This effort will certainly go a long way in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty, while mitigating systematic risk and maintaining financial stability. This article focuses on the RBI, GoI initiatives, current status and future prospects of financial inclusion in India on the basis of facts and data provided by various secondary sources. It is concluded that financial inclusion shows positive and valuable changes.


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