Impact of COVID 19 on financial inclusion in India

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on financial inclusion in India. The measures taken to contain the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and social distancing, have disrupted traditional financial services and made it difficult for many individuals and businesses to access financial products and services.

One of the main challenges has been the closure of bank branches and other financial service outlets, which has made it difficult for people to access cash and other financial services. This has particularly affected vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those living in rural areas, who may not have access to digital financial services.

The government of India has implemented several measures to support financial inclusion during the pandemic, including:

1. Launching the Jan Dhan Yojana, a scheme that provides free bank accounts to those who don’t already have one.
2. Expanding the reach of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), a scheme that provides access to a range of financial products and services, including bank accounts, insurance, and credit.
3. Encouraging the use of digital financial services, such as mobile banking and e-wallets, to reduce the need for physical transactions.
4. Providing financial assistance to low-income households and small businesses through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.

SBI home loan subvention scheme

There are several other ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted financial inclusion in India:

1. Disruption of the informal financial sector: The pandemic has disrupted the informal financial sector, which includes informal lenders, moneylenders, and pawn brokers. This sector plays a significant role in the financial lives of many low-income households, particularly in rural areas, and the disruption has made it difficult for these households to access credit and other financial services.
2. Decreased access to credit: The pandemic has also led to a decrease in access to credit for small businesses, which have been hit hard by the economic downturn. Many small businesses have struggled to get loans from banks and other financial institutions, which has made it difficult for them to stay afloat.
3. Increase in digital financial inclusion: On the positive side, the pandemic has led to an increase in the use of digital financial services, such as mobile banking and e-wallets. This has helped to bridge the gap for those who do not have access to traditional financial services.
4. Need for financial literacy and education: The pandemic has also highlighted the need for financial literacy and education, especially for those who are new to digital financial services. Many people who have never used digital financial services before have had to quickly adapt in order to access the financial products and services they need.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of financial inclusion and the need for measures to ensure that all individuals and businesses have access to the financial products and services they need, especially in times of crisis.