MEASURING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN UTTAR PRADESH- A DISTRICT LEVEL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Financial inclusion has been recognised as a significant contributor to economic development and growth. This study delves into the extent of financial inclusion in the states of India, with special focus on the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and its districts. The study develops an index of financial inclusion for the states for the years FY 2014 and FY 2022 and the districts of Uttar Pradesh for the period FY 2014 to FY 2022. The study concludes that the extent of financial inclusion in the state of UP and its districts is low. It also observes that the state ranks low across all the three dimensions of the Index of Financial Inclusion. Amongst the districts of the state of UP, Lucknow and Gautam Buddh Nagar have better performance vis-à-vis other districts.