Bridging the Mountains: Assessing the Impact of MGNREGA on Financial Inclusion in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Author(s)	Ms. Jyotsana Joshi
Country	India
Abstract	The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was rolled out as a wage employment program in 2005 to assist rural households by providing them with guaranteed wage employment for at least 100 days each year. One of the desirable outcomes of this act was to improve financial accessibility and inclusion. This study evaluates how MGNREGA has impacted financial inclusion in the remote Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Using a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, the study assesses changes in savings habits, financial literacy, and access to formal financial services. Results indicate that although access has improved, literacy barriers, weak infrastructure, and limited usage still hinder functional inclusion. Policy recommendations are proposed for better financial integration of this high-altitude tribal region.
Keywords	MGNREGA, financial inclusion, financial literacy, financial access, Spiti Valley, rural development, public policy
Field	Sociology > Economics
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2025
Published On	2025-07-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i04.51100

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