Chapter 6 - Section 6.4Other Development Services
MLIs with their social objectives and many having their origin as social enterprises, have been involved in several other developmental activities, apart from providing micro- insurance and micro-pension services. Besides, the larger NBFC-MFIs have to make use of their CSR funding for this purpose. Some of the MLIs have formed separate entity to take up such activities. These MLIs undertake various other developmental activities such as training and capacity building, empowerment of the community (especially for women), education, financial literacy, health and sanitation, training, livelihood support, enterprise development etc. Based on the data received from microfinance institutions, over 52.31 lakhs clients of these MLIs have been beneficiaries of various developmental activities undertaken during the last financial year. Table 6.5 gives break-up of various categories of activities with which the MLIs are engaged.
Beyond Microcredit - Evolving Role of Micro Lending Institutions (MLIs)
6.4 Other Development Services
MLIs with their social objectives and many having their origin as social enterprises, have been involved in several other developmental activities, apart from providing micro- insurance and micro-pension services. Besides, the larger NBFC-MFIs have to make use of their CSR funding for this purpose. Some of the MLIs have formed separate entity to take up such activities. These MLIs undertake various other developmental activities such as training and capacity building, empowerment of the community (especially for women), education, financial literacy, health and sanitation, training, livelihood support, enterprise development etc. Based on the data received from microfinance institutions, over 52.31 lakhs clients of these MLIs have been beneficiaries of various developmental activities undertaken during the last financial year. Table 6.5 gives break-up of various categories of activities with which the MLIs are engaged.
Table 6.5: Development Services of Reporting MLIs
| Development Activities | Name of the MLI |
|---|---|
| Capacity Building | 7 |
| Infrastructure Development | 5 |
| Education | 15 |
| Financial Literacy | 15 |
| Healthcare | 20 |
| Livelihood Promotion | 20 |
| Water & Sanitation | 9 |
| Training & Other Initiatives | 13 |
Based on data reported by MLIs
Sa-Dhan has collected special reports from MLIs on their development activities undertaken during the last financial year. The details of various development interventions undertaken by the MLIs whose data are available are summarized in Tables 6.6, 6.7, and 6.8.
Table 6.6: MLIs and Livelihoods Interventions
| Name of the MLI | Main Livelihood Promotion Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Annapurna Finance Pvt. Ltd. | Supported Atulya Karigari, an artisan cluster development initiative that promotes livelihood security while preserving India’s rich handloom and handicraft traditions through training, skill development, and vital market linkages. |
| Arohan Financial Services Ltd. | Implemented Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) and Entrepreneur Investing Program (EIP) to develop new business ventures in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. YEP trained aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills, while under EIP funding support is provided for high-potential businesses to ensure sustainable growth and innovation. Implemented projects in government schools and colleges for mentoring young entrepreneurs and giving them exposure to industry trends and challenges. |
| Cashpor Micro Credit | Implemented livelihood program ensuring sustainable Livelihood for the Community Health Facilitators by promoting health and hygiene awareness in rural areas and helping people access quality healthcare at an affordable cost. |
| Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt. Ltd. | Organised 163 skill development trainings in selected villages of Chitradurga and Davanagere districts, where local customers were taught how to prepare puliyogare powder. |
| DAWN Trust | Conducted Skill training and awareness on credit discipline. |
| Hindusthan Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. | Conducted Sa-Dhan RBI DEA Program along with Hindusthan Leadership Program for Staff’s Skill building. |
| IDF Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. | As a livelihood promotion initiative, provided training on using tailoring machines and conducted workshops to help people market and sell homemade and agricultural products. |
| NABFINS Ltd. | Under the Company’s CSR initiatives in FY2024-25, financial support was provided to boost economic growth in the Kalyana Karnataka region by promoting entrepreneurship, industrial activity, and infrastructure development. The program also included training for farmers, FPOs, and processing unit operators to strengthen sustainability across seven districts of Karnataka. |
| Save Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. | 30+ Self-Help Groups were trained in developing eco-friendly products and introduced various plastic-alternative items in the target communities. These efforts have also increased awareness among participants about sustainable living practices. |
| Self-Employment Voluntary Association (SEVA-Manipur) | Conducted skill development training under NABARD’s Livelihood Promotion Programme |
| Socio Economic Action Trust | In addition to building financial literacy skills, conducted skill development trainings for participants in skills such as bakery, food processing, traditional necklace making, and soap making to help them build sustainable livelihoods. |
| Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. |
“The Tailoring Training Program (Skill Development & Livelihood) was conducted for rural women in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, designed to create self-employment and job placement opportunities. Based on the Singer India curriculum, the program facilitated third-party assessments and certification to ensure quality and recognition. In FY-25, a total of 750 women completed the training, of whom 598 started self-employment while others secured wage-based jobs, earning an average monthly income of ₹3,000. To maximize impact, the initiative also integrates Financial and Digital Literacy (FDL) and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) modules, empowering participants with the knowledge and mindset to grow their livelihoods sustainably. The Promoting Clean Energy Program created new livelihood opportunities for women by establishing solar-powered enterprises, primarily through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). In FY-25, 19 solar energy units were installed across sectors such as pottery, paper plate making, rice hulling, playhouse farming, millet processing, and poultry. These interventions are transforming traditional occupations into sustainable micro-enterprises, supporting both clean energy adoption and women’s economic empowerment.” |
Note: The list of MLIs offering these services is not exhaustive
Table 6.7: MLIs and Education Interventions
| Name of the MLI | Main Education Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Annapurna Finance Pvt. Ltd. | Launched Excel the Excellence (E²), a scholarship program in collaboration with People’s Forum, to support economically disadvantaged students to pursue higher education. 125 hours of coaching for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, NDA, and CA was facilitated. |
| Annapurna Mahila Coop Credit Society Ltd. | Vidyapurna Scholarship given to slum children’s |
| Cashpor Micro Credit | Conducted remedial group tuition classes to support the education of underprivileged children to improve their socio-economic conditions and give them a better future. Provided technical, financial, and administrative support for running and managing these tuition centres strengthening its monitoring and supervision. |
| Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt. Ltd. | Set up learning centres in ten villages of Palamu district, Jharkhand, to support school-going children. A total of 450 students benefited from this initiative. |
| DAWN Trust | Stationary kit disbursed to the govt school students |
| Digamber Capfin Ltd. | Providing education, training, child development, and other educational welfare activities such as distributing stationery, books (including library books), and school bags for underprivileged students in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. |
| Hindusthan Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. | Provided books & stationery to an orphanage & supported tree plantation drive. |
| IDF Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. | Provided drums, music instruments for drill, computer table and accessories, white and black board, water purifier, cooking & food equipment for infrastructure development in schools. |
| Jagaran Microfin Pvt. Ltd. | Supported Pre-primary school education and scholarship program. |
| Midland Microfin Ltd. | Implemented Nav Kanya Vandana initiative, to cover the full education expenses of five girl children under the Midland Foundation Scholarship Program. Further, scholarships were provided to high-performing girls in government schools to support academic excellence and empowerment. |
| Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. | Support for underprivileged students and infrastructure enhancement at GNA University, Punjab. |
| Socio Economic Action Trust | Career guidance and counselling support are provided to students. |
| Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. | WASH facilities and smart classrooms were provided to government schools in Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) and East Champaran (Bihar) to improve school infrastructure and enhancing education. |
Note: The list of MLIs offering these services is not exhaustive
Table 6.8: MLIs and Healthcare Interventions
| Name of MLI | Main Healthcare Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Annapurna Finance Pvt. Ltd. | In 2020, Annapurna launched mobile medical camps in rural and underserved areas to provide doctor consultations, free medicines, and basic tests, improving access to healthcare. |
| Arohan Financial Services Ltd. | Arohan, with its partners, organized Health Express camps across states to provide free check-ups, medicines, and screenings for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, while raising awareness on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention for underserved communities. |
| Cashpor Micro Credit | CASHPOR provides affordable health education and services to its beneficiaries. Through telemedicine and doctor-on-call services, beneficiaries receive medical advice and consultation via phone and video calls. CASHPOR health clinics also offer assistance and health-related information. In addition, regular health camps are organized in remote rural areas to give timely medical support to poor families. These initiatives help reduce healthcare expenses and improve the overall well-being and productivity of beneficiaries. |
| Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt. Ltd. | CSR-Chaitanya launched the Mobile Health Unit project in Gaya district, Bihar, in partnership with HelpAge India to provide healthcare services. In Karnataka, walking sticks were distributed to selected beneficiaries. |
| IDF Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. | An eye camp was organized, and 650 food relief kits were distributed to flood-affected families in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts. |
| Midland Microfin Ltd. | Under Swachhta Evam Swasthya Jagrukta, Midland promoted menstrual hygiene awareness and distributed sanitary napkins to rural women. Through Commitment to Rural Health and Safety, mosquito racks were provided to prevent vector-borne diseases. Under Swasthya Sahayog, financial assistance was given to support urgent medical treatment for a rural woman. |
| Pragati Finserv Pvt. Ltd. | Extended Health care facilities to employees and borrowers. |
| Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. | In partnership with MFIN and MSwashth, 36 health camps were organized across West Bengal, offering free check-ups and medicines to clients, especially those affected by floods in areas with limited healthcare access. |
| Save Financial Managements Pvt. Ltd. | An onsite health check-up camp was held on 22.11.2024 at Bangalore office, offering blood pressure and blood sugar tests followed by doctor consultations for all employees. |
| Save Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. | Under its CSR efforts, SAVE Group launched the short-term project “SAVE THE ROSHNI” to fund cataract surgeries for patients identified in earlier eye camps who could not afford the treatment. A total of 89 eligible individuals were shortlisted for the surgeries. |
| Self-Employment Voluntary Association (SEVA-Manipur) | Blood Donation Camp at JINMs |
| Sindhuja Microcredit Pvt. Ltd. | Strengthening primary eye care services in rural area, Paediatric Heart Surgery, Speech and Hearing aid’s |
| Socio Economic Action Trust | Financial assistance to clients who were critically ill |
| Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. | The Digital Dispensary, set up in January 2023 in Koraput, Odisha, provided affordable and accessible telemedicine services to underserved communities. It offers primary and specialist consultations, diagnostics, free medicines, health awareness programs, nutrition kits, anaemia eradication, disability support, menstrual hygiene guidance, NCD screening, and eye care camps. |
Note: The list of MLIs offering these services is not exhaustive