Financial Inclusion

The Centre is exploring AI-based credit scoring and UPI-linked credit lines to widen access to formal finance for women, first-time borrowers and vulnerable communities

RBI's Financial Inclusion Index needs greater transparency, granular data and a shift towards usage, quality and household financial well-being, says Indicus Foundation CEO Sumita Kale in an interview

The Finance Ministry said its three-month financial inclusion drive has opened 6.1 million Jan Dhan accounts, 26 million social security enrolments and updated crores of inactive accounts

PM Modi on Thursday said in his post on "X": "When the last mile is financially connected, the entire nation moves forward together

The number of accounts alone doesn't tell the real story: 66.75% are in rural and semi-urban India, and 55.70% belong to women

Growth was witnessed across all sub-indices-access, usage, and quality-indicating continued progress in financial inclusion in India

About 1.4 lakh new Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in the past fortnight under the nationwide financial inclusion saturation campaign, the finance ministry said on Tuesday. The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the finance ministry, has launched a three-month nationwide saturation campaign, effective from July 1 to September 30, 2025, to bolster the outreach of flagship schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), an official statement said. This campaign seeks to achieve comprehensive coverage across all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), ensuring that every eligible citizen gets the intended benefits of these transformative schemes. Nearly 1.4 lakh new Jan Dhan accounts have been opened and more than 5.4 lakh new enrolments have been recorded under three Jan Suraksha Schemes in the past fortnight, the statement

Govt started groundwork 50 yrs ago, but adoption and advancement of tech have sped up growth of financial services

RBI Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao warns of high interest rates, borrower over-indebtedness, and coercive recovery in India's microfinance sector, calls for urgent lender reforms

PMSBY offers affordable accident insurance to India's vulnerable. With ₹20 premium and ₹2 lakh cover, it has transformed lives, settled 135,000 claims, and ensured inclusive insurance access

The gap of nearly Rs 4 could affect the business correspondent network, which derives nearly 40 per cent of its revenue from the micro-ATM network

Only a matter of time when cross-border payments will become much easier and cost-effective, says RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra

RBI deputy governor M Rajeshwar Rao emphasises on meaning engagement beyond account opening

Asset management company SBI Mutual Fund on Monday launched a systematic investment plan (SIP) aimed at democratizing access to the product. An investor can invest as low as Rs 250 per transaction under the JanNivesh SIP scheme, which was launched in presence of Sebi Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. Investors typically put Rs 500 in SIP, which could go down to Rs 100 depending on the scheme in which money is being put. With the aim of deepening the MF reach, the lower SIP of Rs 250 was considered, which is akin to the idea of sachetisation effectively used by consumer goods companies. "By lowering entry barriers and leveraging digital platforms, we aim to attract first-time investors, small savers, and those in the unorganized sector, with SIP starting at just Rs 250," SBI Mutual Fund's managing director and chief executive Nand Kishore said. "As we transition into a new phase of financial inclusion, innovation and inclusivity are essential. Our focus is on developing products, ...

Senior executives of banks to attend discussion; commissions and penalties for sector on agenda

Nagaraju stressed the importance of expanding banking infrastructure in unbanked villages and improving connectivity in remote areas, particularly in the North East

Nagaraju stressed the importance of expanding banking infrastructure in unbanked villages and improving connectivity in remote areas, particularly in the North East

India's dramatic digital transformation has empowered millions through a digital infrastructure [India Stack], democratising data, identity, and payments

With updated SECC 2011 data, Mission Antyodaya supports truly inclusive, evidence-based planning, enabling poverty-free GPs through decentralised action

Finance Ministry has called a meeting of heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on Wednesday to review progress of various financial inclusion schemes, including Jan Suraksha and Mudra Yojana. The meeting, which would see participation from representatives of private sector banks, is scheduled to be chaired by Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju. According to sources, the meeting to be chaired by the Secretary would also discuss and review the progress of various financial inclusion schemes including PM SVANidhi Schemes. The Finance ministry from time to time launched various drives to achieve saturation under Pradhan Mantri Jan dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). The PMJJBY offers life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh, in case of death due to any reason, to people in the age group of 18-50 years having a bank or post office account, who give their consent to join or enable auto-debit of premium. On the other