Computation of Financial Inclusion Index: A Comparative Study on Districts of Assam

Abstract

Inclusive financial system has been considered as top priority in achieving equitable growth by the countries across the globe. Financial inclusion one of the emerging topics of discussion in the present era aims at providing financial products and services among the population in order to achieve inclusive financial growth. Financial inclusion in India ensures availability and usage of financial products and services by every individual. In order to fulfill these objective financial institutions of the country has been continuously aiming at providing deeper banking service penetration. Present study aims at computation and comparison of financial inclusion index for the districts of Upper Assam. Financial inclusion index (FII) is one of the credible tools used by the policy makers to measure the progress achieved from different innovative policies and the causes responsible for failure. This paper adopts the methodology adopted by UNDP for the computation of HDI, HPI, GDI and so on. Results of the study reveal that maximum sample districts falls under the category of very low financial inclusion. Poorer banking penetration among the population of the districts has one of the important factors responsible for lower financial inclusion.