00:00The Uttar Pradesh government's BC Sakhi scheme aims to improve access to banking and financial
00:05services in rural areas while creating livelihood opportunities for women.
00:09Launched in May 2020, the scheme is implemented through the Uttar Pradesh
00:13State Rural Livelihoods Missions and follows the model of 1 Gram Panchayat, 1 BC Sakhi.
00:18Under the scheme, women, particularly those associated with self-help groups,
00:22are trained and certified as banking correspondents.
00:25After obtaining the mandatory IIBF certification, they use digital banking devices to help
00:31villagers access essential banking services closer to home.
00:35BC Sakhis receive financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per month for the initial six months.
00:41They can subsequently earn commissions on banking transactions,
00:44providing an opportunity to build a regular source of income.
00:48According to Uttar Pradesh government's Budget 2026-27 documents,
00:51During the financial year 2025-26, 39,880 BC Sakhis facilitated financial transactions
00:59worth over 39,000 crore across 58,000 Gram Panchayats and earned approximately 107 crore rupees.
01:07The scheme helps reduce the need for rural residents to travel to bank branches
01:11while enabling women to strengthen their financial independence
01:14and contribute to greater financial inclusion in their communities.
