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RBI and Indian Economy_Review 2
RBI and Indian Economy_Review 2
Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has played a crucial role in shaping the Indian
economy since its inception in 1935. From managing the monetary policy to
regulating the financial sector, the RBI has been instrumental in laying the
foundation for India’s economic growth. In fact, India’s GDP has grown from just
$30.6 billion in 1950 to over $3.4 trillion in 2022, and the RBI has been a key
driver of this transformation. As we celebrate RBI Foundation Day today, it’s
worth reflecting on the institution’s contributions to India’s economic journey and
how it continues to shape the country’s future.
As we look back on the rich legacy of the Reserve Bank of India, it’s clear that the
institution has played a crucial role in shaping the Indian economy and laying the
foundations for a self-reliant nation. Let’s delve into RBI’s 9 key contributions that
have left an indelible mark on the Indian economic landscape.
The roots of priority sector lending can be traced back to 1966 when Morarji Desai
recognized the need for increased credit to agriculture and small industries.
However, it wasn’t until a RBI report in the National Credit Council in 1972 that
the definition for priority sector was formalized. In 1974, commercial banks were
given a target of 33.33% of their ANBC, which was later increased to 40% on the
recommendations of Dr. K.S. Krishnaswamy committee. The introduction of
priority sector lending also allowed the government to address important political
lobbies after the nationalization of banks. Over time, the definition of priority
sector lending has grown to cover important neglected sectors of the economy,
with a focus on agriculture and small industries, which includes micro, small, and
medium enterprises (MSME).
In 1991, India faced a balance of payment crisis due to the increasing pressure on
foreign reserves. The government of India initiated a series of economic reforms
aimed at liberalizing and opening up the Indian economy.
Overall, these reforms helped India shift from a protectionist and regulated
economy to a market-oriented one, leading to increased economic growth, job
creation, and a rise in living standards.
4. TReDS – 2014
As per RBI data, the number of invoices uploaded and financed through the
TReDS has more than doubled in the financial year 2021-22 and the success rate
has improved to 94.7 per cent from 91.3 per cent a year earlier. This indicates a
growing acceptance of TReDS among MSMEs and financial institutions, which is
expected to further improve cash flows and financing opportunities for MSMEs in
the future.
Since its launch, UPI has gained massive popularity among consumers and
businesses alike, with the volume of UPI transactions increasing manifold from
0.45 crore in January 2017 to 804 crore in January 2023. The value of UPI
transactions has also increased from just Rs 1,700 crore to Rs 12.98 lakh crore
during the same period. These figures demonstrate the enormous impact that UPI
has had on driving digital payments adoption in India, promoting financial
inclusion, and reducing the dependency on cash transactions.
Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) was launched in 2019 by the National
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI). It is an integrated bill payment system that offers interoperable and
accessible bill payment services to customers through a network of agents or
online channels. BBPS provides a one-stop solution for payment of various bills
such as electricity, gas, water, DTH, mobile postpaid, broadband, landline,
municipal taxes, and more.
In 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved new Aadhaar eKYC norms,
paving the way for digital verification of identity and address. The Aadhaar eKYC
process enables financial institutions to authenticate customers’ identities remotely,
without the need for physical documentation.
Since its introduction, Aadhaar eKYC has significantly streamlined the customer
onboarding process for banks, insurance companies, and other financial
institutions. In the third quarter of the financial year 2022-23, Aadhaar eKYC
transactions jumped 18.53% to 84.8 crore, indicating the increasing adoption and
popularity of the digital identity verification method.
The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched by the
Government of India in May 2020 to provide immediate credit assistance to small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) played a crucial role in the implementation of the
scheme by providing necessary guidelines and regulatory support to banks and
financial institutions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched the Account Aggregator (AA)
framework in September 2021 to enable easier sharing of financial data across
multiple financial institutions. The framework allows customers to manage their
financial data from various financial entities in a secure and seamless manner
through a consent-based mechanism.
A year after its official release, India’s Account Aggregator ecosystem boasts of
1.1 billion AA-enabled accounts and has already seen 2.05 million users
voluntarily share their financial data with banks and financial institutions to avail
loans, etc. The launch of the Account Aggregator framework is expected to
revolutionize the way individuals and small businesses manage their finances,
making it easier and more convenient for them to access a range of financial
services.