Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Banking Sakhis Revolutionize Rural Financial Inclusion in India
Banking Sakhis are women from self-help groups who bring banking services to rural areas in India.
They help people open bank accounts, handle cash transactions, and provide other financial services right at their doorsteps.
This initiative, started in 2017, has helped many rural communities access banking services easily.
The Banking Sakhis are trained and certified to offer services like account management, digital payments, and insurance.
They have conducted millions of transactions and have been especially helpful during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Despite some challenges like low earnings in poorer areas and outdated equipment, the Banking Sakhis are making a big difference in financial inclusion and women's empowerment in rural India.
Banking Sakhis provide doorstep banking services in rural India, including account management, cash transactions, and digital payments.
The initiative, launched in 2017, aims to place one BC agent in each of India's 150,000 Gram Panchayats.
Over 142,000 SHG women serve as BC Sakhis, conducting over 375 million transactions worth ₹1.42 trillion.
BC Sakhis have boosted customer acquisition, expanded outreach, and reduced branch footfall for banks.
Challenges include low earnings in poorer areas, outdated equipment, and the need for advanced training in digital banking and financial planning.
- Who
- Banking Correspondent (BC) Sakhis, primarily women from self-help groups (SHGs) in rural India
- What
- A network of BC Sakhis providing doorstep banking services to rural communities
- When
- The initiative was launched in 2017
- Where
- Rural areas of India, particularly in Gram Panchayats
- Why
- To promote financial inclusion, reduce barriers to banking services, and empower rural women
- Initiative Launch
- 2017
- Total BC Sakhis
- 142,000
- Total Transactions
- 375 million
- Total Transaction Value
- ₹1.42 trillion
- Training Success Rate
- 96.5%
- Loan Disbursement
- ₹11 trillion
- Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
- Below 2%
- Target Gram Panchayats
- 150,000