Micro Finance and Inclusive Growth:Indian Experience

Inclusive Growth model is accepted widely to incorporate social justice in development and in India, Inclusiveness, was a critical element in the strategy of IXth Five Year Plan. It was to achieve by ensuring broad-based growth and was combined with programmes aimed at overcoming deficiencies in critical areas, which affect large numbers of the vulnerable sections of the population. Financial inclusion is one of the area, where such programmes are planned and implemented. This paper attempts to provide discussions on the financial inclusion programmes in India basically with reference to finance to poor and women empowerment. Analysis of national agenda for reforms in the financial sector, key issues on financial inclusion, and evaluation of the financial inclusion programmes in India in terms of financing poor, financing women empowerment activities.