Topic
financial inclusion
Finance Formal retail credit access doubles over past decade
India's formal retail credit penetration doubled to 74% in March 2026 from 35% in March 2017, with credit-active consumers rising from 11% to 28%, according to TransUnion CIBIL. Consumption-led lending drove the expansion, with personal loans, credit cards and durable loans becoming the main entry points.
Finance FM Sitharaman Distributes ₹3,216 Crore Loans to 1,03,246 Beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh Credit Outreach
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distributed loans worth ₹3,216 crore to 1,03,246 beneficiaries under various central government schemes at a Credit Outreach Programme in Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh. The assistance includes ₹2,363 crore for agriculture, ₹325 crore for MSMEs, and ₹624 crore for housing, education, vehicle and solar energy loans. The event underscores the government's push for financial inclusion and institutional credit access to rural areas.
Business RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index Climbs to 70.0 in March 2026, Signaling Deeper Financial Engagement
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported its Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) rose to 70.0 in March 2026 from 67.0 in March 2025, reflecting sustained progress in expanding financial services. The composite index, tracking 97 indicators, showed improvements across all three dimensions (Access 35%, Usage 45%, Quality 20%), driven primarily by higher usage of financial services including digital infrastructure, credit, and insurance.
Finance Just 14% of MSMEs Get Formal Loans Despite India's Digital Finance Boom: Deloitte Report
Deloitte's State of Financial Services in India report reveals that only 14% of MSMEs have access to formal credit, leaving a credit gap of at least Rs 25 lakh crore. Despite India's advanced digital payments ecosystem, inclusion gaps persist with low formal credit penetration and insurance coverage.
Finance India's Jan Dhan Scheme Hits 58 Crore Accounts, Boosting Financial Inclusion, Says FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that more than 58 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, bringing millions into the formal banking system. The scheme, launched in 2014, has facilitated direct benefit transfers worth Rs 45 lakh crore and now covers 94% of India's adult population.
Finance Telangana Tenant Farmers Demand Loan Eligibility Cards
Tenant farmers in Telangana are urging the government to issue Loan Eligibility Cards to facilitate access to institutional credit and government schemes. The Tenant Farmers’ Recognition Struggle Committee highlights the challenges faced by tenant farmers, including high lease rates and lack of credit access.