ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of various commercial banks in determining the extent of financial inclusion in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The study also provides the impact of financial inclusion on the growth of Jammu and Kashmir economy.

Design/Methodology: The Secondary data were collected from reports, books, the government of India, journals, state-level banker’s committee reports, census 2011, economic surveys and websites and various banks of Jammu and Kashmir state. The period under consideration for the study is ten years from 2005-2006 to 2014-2015. The data has been analyzed by applying multiple regression as the main tool.

Finding: The level of financial inclusion in the remote state of Jammu and Kashmir is remaining low. Financial information from various sources and awareness of self-help groups, Kisan credit card, financial literacy is an influential factor lending to financial inclusion. Nearness to banks and post office, banks likely to increase the inclusion. Other factors like recipients of government benefits are helpful for various urban people such as PMJDY, SBJY etc. shows an increasing level of financial inclusion. But the recipients of government benefits in rural people individually do not facilitate inclusion.