THREE DECADES OF EMPOWERMENT: A STATISTICAL ASSESSMENT OF SHG-BANK LINKAGE GROWTH AND CREDIT RELATIONSHIP IN INDIA (1992-2024)

The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme has emerged as one of India’s most successful models for promoting financial inclusion and rural empowerment, particularly among women. This study aims to analyze the growth pattern and interrelationship among three major indicators of the programme the number of SHGs provided with bank loans, the total volume of bank credit disbursed, and the average loan per SHG during the period 1992–2024. Using secondary data sourced from national reports and institutional publications, the study employed descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis at a 5% level of significance to assess the strength and direction of relationships among these variables. The study concludes that the SHG–Bank Linkage Programme has not only deepened institutional credit outreach but also contributed significantly to women’s economic empowerment and inclusive rural development in India. Keywords: Self-Help Group, SHG,NABARD, Bank Linkage, India