Lok Sabha Question No. 3811 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-24
Subject: Schemes for Financial Inclusion of Women
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Dr. Sambit Patra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3811

Answered on Monday, 24 March, 2025/ 3 Chaitra, 1947 (Saka)

## Schemes for Financial Inclusion of Women

## 3811. Dr. Sambit Patra:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any study of schemes launched during the last five years for financial inclusion of women in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the number of women seeking retail credit and business loans has trebled during the last five years and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government intends to improve the existing schemes to enhance access to credit for women entrepreneurs and if so, the details thereof; and

(d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  mitigate  the  challenges  being  faced  by  women borrowers so that their access to credit is streamlined and if so, the details thereof?

## Answer

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) No such study on schemes specifically targeting financial inclusion of women has been initiated in the country in the last five years.

The Government reviews all credit linked schemes from time to time and takes several initiatives in order to facilitate ease of access to credit to the entrepreneurs including women entrepreneurs. Some of these are:

i. As per para 32 of Union Budget 2025-26 'A new scheme will be launched for 5 lakh women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes first- time entrepreneurs. This will provide term loans upto Rs.2.00 crore during next 5 years.  The Scheme will incorporate lessons from successful Stand Up India  Scheme.  Online  capacity  building  for  entrepreneurship  and  managerial  skills  will  also  be organized.'

- ii. The entrepreneurs are also provided collateral free loans upto Rs. 20 lakh to enable them to set up or expand their business activities under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) launched on 8th April 2015.

Further, as informed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the details of credit extended to women by Public Sector Banks during the last five years is as under:

| Credit to women by Public Sector Banks   | Credit to women by Public Sector Banks   | Credit to women by Public Sector Banks   |
|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Financial Year                           | No of A/cs                               | Amount Outstanding                       |
| Mar-20                                   | 207.60                                   | 488,459.43                               |
| Mar-21                                   | 289.46                                   | 731,617.22                               |
| Mar-22                                   | 305.56                                   | 836,200.08                               |
| Mar-23                                   | 350.90                                   | 1,008,935.62                             |
| Mar-24                                   | 387.24                                   | 1,169,279.00                             |

(d) The Government has taken various steps towards effective implementation of the Schemes and for addressing the challenges faced by potential beneficiaries including women which, inter alia, include intensive publicity campaigns, simplification of application form, Credit Guarantee Scheme, providing support in Stand-Up India Scheme by reduction in margin money as well as inclusion of activities allied to agriculture.

The Jan Samarth portal is a one-stop digital platform for linking fifteen Government-sponsored loans and subsidies Schemes. It provides a quick and efficient way to apply for loans and obtain approvals based on a digital evaluation of the applicant's data. Further, many Banks and financial institutions have  developed  online  platforms  and  mobile  apps  for  end  to  end  digital  processing  of  loan applications, reducing the need for physical paperwork and in-person visits.

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