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Andhra Pradesh Leads India in SHG Bank Linkage
Andhra Pradesh says it has given more bank loans to women’s self-help groups than any other state.
These groups help women work together and support their families.
A minister said the state had disbursed more than ₹15,000 crore in loans by September 15, 2026.
New digital checks are meant to make sure the right people receive the money.
Groups also get a digital registration number, and bank staff can track loan information on dashboards.
The state says lower fees and interest rates make borrowing cheaper.
It has also increased the maximum collateral-free loan limit from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
Officials say these steps are intended to support women’s incomes and rural livelihoods.
Minister Kondapalli Srinivas said Andhra Pradesh ranks first nationally in the Self-Help Group bank-linkage programme.
NRLM figures cited by the minister show ₹15,229.40 crore in loan disbursements and ₹82,639.56 crore in outstanding credit as of September 15, 2026.
Reforms include Aadhaar-based verification, unique registration numbers for groups, and real-time dashboards for monitoring loans and group profiles.
The state says lower charges save each SHG up to ₹32,500 annually, while interest rates were reduced to a range of 7% to 11.7%.
The collateral-free loan limit rose from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, and the state achieved more than 90% of its SHG credit targets in each of the last two financial years.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh and its Self-Help Groups; the figures and reforms were described by Minister Kondapalli Srinivas.
- What
- The state says it leads India in SHG bank-linkage lending and has introduced measures to improve access, oversight, and borrowing costs.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India.
- When
- The cited loan figures are as of September 15, 2026; the statement was issued on Friday.
- Why
- The government says the programme aims to improve household incomes, support livelihoods, and strengthen women’s financial independence.
Government’s account
Other perspectives
Programme performance and reforms
Government’s account
The minister says NRLM data places Andhra Pradesh first nationally and credits state reforms with improving transparency and access to credit.
Other perspectives
The article provides no independent assessment or opposing account; the ranking and claimed effects are attributed to the minister and cited NRLM figures.
Key facts
- Loan disbursements
- ₹15,229.40 crore as of September 15, 2026
- Outstanding credit portfolio
- ₹82,639.56 crore as of September 15, 2026
- Annual savings per SHG
- Up to ₹32,500 through reduced registration and service charges
- Interest rates
- Standardised and reduced to between 7% and 11.7%, according to the minister
- Collateral-free loan limit
- Raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh under DAY-NRLM guidelines
- Credit target achievement
- More than 90% in each of the last two financial years
- Digital measures
- Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, member verification, unique registration numbers, and real-time dashboards
Sources
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