Home » GS Paper III Economic Development
Electronic Cash Transfers

Electronic Cash Transfers: Reforming Welfare Delivery in India

Introduction One of the enduring challenges of welfare governance in India has been ensuring that public resources reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently, transparently, and without leakages. Traditional welfare delivery mechanisms—often involving physical cash, intermediaries, and manual records—have historically suffered from corruption, delays, duplication, and wastage. In response to these systemic inefficiencies, the government introduced the…

Read More
Self-Help Groups and Microfinance in India

Self-Help Groups and Microfinance in India: Legitimacy, Accountability, and Sustained Impact

Introduction Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as a cornerstone of India’s poverty alleviation and women empowerment strategies. By pooling resources, encouraging savings, and facilitating access to microfinance, SHGs have sought to address issues of financial exclusion, social marginalization, and grassroots development. Over the last three decades, SHGs have grown into a robust network, supported by…

Read More