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An inclusive index: More data needed to strengthen financial inclusion
Business Standard Editorial Comment Mumbai
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week released its financial inclusion index (FI Index) score of 67 for the year ended March 2025, reflecting steady progress since the index was introduced in 2021. The upward trend is certainly welcoming, indicating improved access to financial services and inclusion. However, the headline number masks considerable heterogeneity, both in terms of spatial differences and the components of the index. To improve transparency and better guide policymaking, it will help if more details are made available.
The index is composed of three key parameters — access, usage, and quality — all of which
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