{
 "name": "SHG-Bank Linkage Programme (NABARD) — Savings & Credit-Linked Self-Help Groups",
 "unit": "number of self-help groups / Rs crore",
 "dashboard": "https://bankpulse.ai/dashboards/shg-bank-linkage/",
 "source": "NABARD — Status of Microfinance in India; Reserve Bank of India",
 "reviewed_by": "Vikram Jain",
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "updated": "2026-06-22T00:11:31+05:30",
 "dateModified": "2026-06-22T00:11:31+05:30",
 "method": "The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme — savings-linked and credit-linked self-help groups, loan outstanding, the women's share and the three SBLP linkage models, on a NABARD framing. Intermediate-year counts are indicative.",
 "note": "Rounded and approximate; NOT in the Verified-numbers ledger pending reviewer sign-off. Launched by NABARD in 1992; the world's largest microfinance programme. ~1.44 crore SHGs savings-linked (~Rs 65,000 crore savings), ~69 lakh credit-linked with ~Rs 2.5 lakh crore loans outstanding, ~88% women's groups.",
 "metrics": [
  {
   "metric": "Savings-linked SHGs",
   "value_approx": "~1.44 crore",
   "note": "Groups with a savings account at a bank (latest year, approx.)"
  },
  {
   "metric": "SHG savings with banks",
   "value_approx": "~Rs 65,000 crore",
   "note": "Aggregate balance the groups hold with banks (approx.)"
  },
  {
   "metric": "Credit-linked SHGs (loans outstanding)",
   "value_approx": "~69 lakh",
   "note": "Groups carrying a bank loan (approx.)"
  },
  {
   "metric": "Bank loan outstanding to SHGs",
   "value_approx": "~Rs 2.5 lakh crore",
   "note": "Total SHG loans on banks' books (approx.)"
  },
  {
   "metric": "Women's share of SHGs",
   "value_approx": "~88%",
   "note": "Self-help groups are overwhelmingly women's groups"
  }
 ],
 "models": [
  {
   "model": "Model I",
   "forms_group": "Banks themselves",
   "finances": "Banks",
   "note": "SHGs both formed and financed directly by the bank; the smallest share"
  },
  {
   "model": "Model II",
   "forms_group": "NGOs / government agencies",
   "finances": "Banks",
   "note": "SHGs formed and nurtured by facilitators but financed directly by the bank; the most common model"
  },
  {
   "model": "Model III",
   "forms_group": "NGOs / MFIs (as intermediaries)",
   "finances": "Banks via the intermediary",
   "note": "Banks lend through an NGO or microfinance institution that on-lends to the SHGs"
  }
 ],
 "savings_linked_series_crore": [
  {
   "fy": "FY15",
   "shgs_crore": 7.7,
   "approximate": true,
   "note": "Savings-linked self-help groups, in crore (approx.)"
  },
  {
   "fy": "FY18",
   "shgs_crore": 8.7,
   "approximate": true,
   "note": "Steady expansion, led by the southern and eastern states"
  },
  {
   "fy": "FY21",
   "shgs_crore": 11.2,
   "approximate": true,
   "note": "Growth continues through the pandemic via digital onboarding"
  },
  {
   "fy": "FY24",
   "shgs_crore": 14.4,
   "approximate": true,
   "note": "World's largest microfinance programme by member reach"
  }
 ]
}