ABSTRACT:Financial inclusion is a critical enabler of women’s empowerment and sustainable rural development. This study examines the role of formal banking services in empowering rural women, drawing on primary data from a sample of 100 rural women. Findings indicate that access to bank accounts, credit, savings, and linked government schemes significantly improves economic participation, household decision-making, asset ownership and resilience. Banking interventions particularly Self-Help Group Bank Linkage Programmes, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and agent banking models facilitate pathways to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 8, and 10. Persistent barriers include limited financial and digital literacy, distance to branches, social norms, and low active usage of accounts. The paper recommends strengthened financial literacy, women-centric product design, expansion of women banking agents, and integration of banking with livelihood programmes to deepen inclusion and advance sustainable development.

KEYWORDS:Rural women, financial inclusion, banking, empowerment, Self-Help Groups, sustainable development, PMJDY.

BANKING THE UNBANKED: THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN EMPOWERING RURAL WOMEN AND ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

POOJA, DR. SHIV KUMAR