Government-Led Financial Inclusion Schemes and Determinants of Financial Inclusion: Implications for the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women

Kongalappa H. S.; Sunil M. G.

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80865

Government-Led Financial Inclusion Schemes and Determinants of Financial Inclusion: Implications for the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women

Author(s)	Dr. Kongalappa H. S., Mr. Sunil M. G.
Country	India
Abstract	Financial inclusion has emerged as a critical policy instrument for promoting inclusive growth, reducing poverty and enhancing the economic empowerment of marginalized populations, particularly rural women. Recognizing its importance, the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have introduced several financial inclusion initiatives and schemes aimed at expanding access to formal financial services. Against this backdrop, the present study examines RBI-led financial inclusion initiatives, identifies the major determinants of financial inclusion among rural women and evaluates the performance of key government-led financial inclusion schemes during the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2019-2024 period. The study is conceptual and analytical in nature and is based on secondary data collected from government reports, policy documents, scholarly articles and other credible sources. The analysis reveals that schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-Up India, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), PM-KISAN and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) have significantly enhanced access to banking, credit, insurance, pension and livelihood opportunities. However, challenges relating to financial literacy, digital adoption, infrastructure gaps and gender disparities continue to affect the effective utilization of financial services. The study concludes that strengthening financial awareness, digital inclusion, institutional outreach and women-centric financial policies is essential for transforming financial inclusion into sustainable economic empowerment for rural women and achieving inclusive national development.
Keywords	Financial Inclusion, Economic Empowerment, Rural Women, Financial Inclusion Schemes, National Strategy and Financial Literacy.
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-06-08
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80865

View / Download PDF File

E-ISSN 2582-2160

doi

CrossRef DOI prefix of IJFMR is 10.36948/ijfmr

Downloads

Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 4 Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 3 Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Government-Led Financial Inclusion Schemes and Determinants of Financial Inclusion: Implications for the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women

Share this