On July 1, 2025, the Government of Assam, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India and leading public sector banks, launched an ambitious Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam. Running through September 30, the campaign is focused on bringing banking services, financial literacy, and digital payment infrastructure to the most rural and underserved parts of the state.
Given that around 70% of Assamese people reside in rural areas, this initiative is an important step in closing the gap in financial access and guaranteeing that every household has the resources necessary to take part in India’s expanding digital economy.
What Is the Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam?
The Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam is a targeted outreach initiative that aims to connect unbanked and underbanked populations in Assam’s remote districts, forest areas, and tea garden communities with formal financial services.
Key Objectives:
- Open new bank accounts under Jan Dhan Yojana
- Promote digital payment systems like UPI and Aadhaar-enabled services
- Facilitate PM Kisan, PMJJBY, PMSBY enrollment
- Conduct financial literacy workshops
- Enable mobile ATM and banking vans in inaccessible regions
The initiative aligns with the national vision of inclusive growth and financial empowerment for all, especially in regions that historically lacked access to banks and ATMs.
Why Assam’s Rural Economy Needs Financial Inclusion
Banking Gaps in Remote Areas
Basic financial services are still lacking in many Assamese regions, even with the success of programs like the Jan Dhan Yojana and the growth of digital payments in metropolitan India. People travel several kilometers to get to a bank branch or take out cash in districts like Baksa, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, and many areas of the Barak Valley.
This campaign aims to change that.
“Our goal is simple: no village should be left behind,” said an official from the Assam State Finance Department. “Every citizen deserves financial dignity and access.”
Unlocking Economic Potential
By bringing banking to the doorstep of rural communities, the Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam is expected to boost small business growth, increase savings habits, and give farmers, daily wage workers, and women access to affordable credit and insurance.
Digital Banking Push: UPI, AEPS & Mobile Services
Driving UPI Adoption in Rural Assam
One of the key focuses of the campaign is expanding UPI (Unified Payments Interface) in rural marketplaces and small businesses. Partnering banks and fintech companies are installing QR codes, onboarding shopkeepers, and training users to ensure safe, cashless transactions.
Mobile Vans & Aadhaar-Enabled Banking
The campaign is deploying mobile banking vans and micro-ATM devices that use Aadhaar authentication. These vehicles travel to hard-to-reach areas, especially in districts affected by floods or poor connectivity, making sure residents don’t have to wait for infrastructure to catch up.
Training, Literacy & Women Empowerment
Financial Literacy Camps in Tea Gardens and Tribal Areas
Over 500 financial literacy camps are being conducted in collaboration with NGOs, self-help groups, and school authorities. These workshops aim to teach basic banking, digital safety, and government welfare schemes.
Special focus is being given to tea garden workers, tribal women, and school-age children, ensuring financial literacy reaches all layers of society.
Women-Led SHGs and Credit Linkage
The campaign also aims to credit-link thousands of self-help groups (SHGs) run by women across Assam. This helps rural women access funding for micro-enterprises, improving household incomes and economic independence.
Progress So Far and Government Support
Monitoring & Real-Time Updates
The State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) has set up a centralized dashboard to track progress across districts. Real-time data allows for mid-course corrections and targeting areas with low response.
Political and Administrative Backing
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has praised the initiative, calling it “an important step towards true grassroots empowerment.” He urged all departments to support bank mitras, banking correspondents, and financial volunteers engaged in the campaign.
“Financial inclusion is not just about banking—it’s about bridging opportunity gaps,” said Sarma during the launch.
What This Means for Assam’s Future
The Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam is more than just a temporary program—it’s part of a broader vision to make Assam’s economy more resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered.
By September 30, the state aims to:
- Enroll over 5 lakh new beneficiaries
- Activate 50,000+ new UPI QR codes
- Reach every panchayat with banking facilities
- Digitally empower over 10 lakh individuals
These numbers signal a bold move toward a cashless, connected, and financially aware Assam.
Inclusion Is Empowerment
The Financial Inclusion Campaign in Assam is a much-needed push to close the rural-urban banking divide. It empowers the state’s most vulnerable citizens with access to savings, credit, insurance, and government benefits.
If executed successfully, this campaign could become a model for other Indian states, proving that with the right focus, even the most remote villages can be financially integrated.
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Participate if you live in the area, work as a banker, are a student, or are an entrepreneur. Promote account opening, digital banking education, and literacy camps in your neighborhood.
Because financial inclusion isn’t just a government goal—it’s a public movement.