Indian Development Policy Review

This research examines the regional inequities in the operational effectiveness of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across six distinct geographical areas in India—Northern, Northeastern, Eastern, Central, Western, and Southern—from the years 2010 to 2022. By utilizing secondary data derived from NABARD’s Status of Microfinance in India reports, the analysis concentrates on five pivotal indicators: the number of SHGs, savings, bank loans disbursed, outstanding loans, and Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). Through the application of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), descriptive statistical methods, and non-parametric tests (specifically Kruskal-Wallis H and Dunn’s post-hoc test), this investigation uncovers pronounced inter-regional disparities in SHG performance.

The results indicate that the Southern region demonstrates the most robust and mature SHG ecosystem, while the Eastern region, despite exhibiting substantial growth rates, contends with an escalation in NPAs. The Northeastern region showcases significant growth in savings but is hindered by financial instability, whereas the Central and Northern regions illustrate a cautious trajectory of expansion accompanied by improved control over NPAs. These discrepancies can be ascribed to factors such as institutional support, financial literacy levels, geographic isolation, and the underlying economic structure.

The outcomes underscore the necessity for region-specific policy interventions, the enhancement of credit monitoring mechanisms, and the implementation of tailored financial literacy programs. By statistically substantiating regional variations, this study contributes to the formulation of evidence-based policy frameworks and offers valuable insights for synchronizing SHG performance with sustainable development objectives.

Keywords: Self-Help Groups ,Regional Disparities, Financial Inclusion, Non-Performing Assets, Non-Parametric Analysis.

JEL Classification Codes: O16,G21,R11,C10, I38.

Odisha, home to 62 tribal groups, including 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), hosts 22.8% of its population as tribals (Census, 2011). Residing in forested regions like Koraput and Malkangiri, these communities face challenges securing sustainable livelihoods, diverse employment, and reducing distress migration. This paper analyzes their livelihood strategies, employment patterns, and migration drivers using data from Census 2011, NFHS-5 (2019-21), NITI Aayog (2023), PVTG Survey (2018), and studies like “Sustainable livelihood security” (Pani & Mishra, 2022) and “Factors influencing Occupational Diversification” (Jayasingh & Mishra, 2024). Findings reveal a primary sector-dominated economy (85% of workers), low occupational diversification (LDI 0.34 in Malkangiri), and distress migration rates of up to 45% in southern districts. Government interventions like MGNREGA and OPELIP show limited impact, underlining the need for skill development and structural reforms to enhance tribal well-being.Key Words: Odisha, Tribal Communities, Livelihood Strategies, Distress Migration

JEL Classification: J61, O15, Q56, R23.

The Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP) provided tools for modern farming, such as seeds, fertilizer, and training to STs (Tribals) with meager land holdings. According to the Government of Gujarat (2017), in 2016-17, 36,604 STs marginal farmers provided Rs. 26.18 crore assistance in Gujarat state. The objective of the study is to evaluate ADP impacts on Tribal marginal farmers’ agricultural livelihood changes such as cultivation areas, cropped areas, crop production, days of employment, income, cropping pattern, and migration in the Tribal areas, a total of 251 beneficiaries have selected in 17 villages of Kaprada and Uchchhal Tehsils from the Valsad and Tapi districts. The study found that due to a lack of irrigation infrastructure, the respondents depended on monsoon season, engaged in traditional farming, and had meager land holdings, which did not provide full employment and income from agriculture. After getting the assistance, they could take more vegetable crop production, helping to generate a day of employment and income. However, more than the assistance of modern farming was needed for the household’s livelihood. They depended on agricultural labor, other non-agricultural sources, and migration for employment and income. After getting the assistance, they skipped traditional oilseed crops, and productivity increased, while migration remained the same in the study areas.

Keywords: ADP, agricultural change, migration, livelihood, Valsad, Tapi, Gujarat.

This study investigates the regulatory and structural barriers impacting the export competitiveness of medium sized manufacturing enterprises in India. Drawing on a multi layered analysis of sectoral data, state level administrative performance, and firm level regulatory experiences, the research reveals that non tariff constraints, such as construction permit delays, import licensing inefficiencies, and land access challenges, pose significant impediments to export readiness. Key sectors including machinery, textiles, and chemicals face the highest constraint burdens, exacerbated by misalignments between sectoral needs and sub national regulatory environments.

The study identifies a critical spatial structural gap, whereby leading export oriented sectors are often located in states with weak administrative responsiveness. For instance, Tamil Nadu’s textile sector faces a 70 day construction permit delay, undermining its global competitiveness. Meanwhile, firms in states with efficient regulatory systems, such as Assam and Goa, are not aligned with major export sectors, suggesting underutilized institutional capacity.

Medium sized firms, though strategically positioned to drive export growth, are disproportionately affected by regulatory overhead, spending nearly 15% of senior management time on compliance. However, exporting firms show stronger institutional navigation capacities, despite facing longer import licensing timelines. These insights underscore the importance of targeted policy reforms.

The paper recommends four key interventions: decentralized, sector specific regulatory reform at the state level; digital platforms to streamline permitting and licensing; support mechanisms for medium sized exporters; and diagnostic tools to preemptively identify export bottlenecks. Collectively, these measures aim to reduce friction, align institutional capacity with industrial strategy, and unlock the latent export potential of India’s manufacturing sector.

This paper presents a comprehensive econometric analysis of the growth of banks in India and its impact on rural development. The banking sector plays a pivotal role in fostering economic development by mobilizing savings, providing credit, and facilitating financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas. Utilizing time-series and panel data from various public and private sector banks and rural socioeconomic indicators over the last three decades, this research investigates the causal relationship and impact magnitude of banking growth on rural economic outcomes. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between banking expansion—measured through variables such as branch penetration, credit disbursed, and deposit mobilization—and key rural development indicators, including agricultural productivity, rural income levels, and poverty reduction. The study also discusses policy implications, emphasizing the necessity of enhancing financial outreach and banking infrastructure to accelerate rural development in India.

Keywords: Banking Sector, Rural Development, Time Series Analysis, VECM.

This study investigates the impact of financial development, represented by Total Stock Market Capitalization (TSC), on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in Nigeria, while examining the moderating role of institutional quality, indicated by Regulatory Quality (RQ), in this relationship. Using data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (1996-2023), the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimation technique was employed, controlling for trade openness and the real effective exchange rate. The study’s findings revealed no statistically significant direct effect of TSC or RQ on FDI. Moreover, the moderating effect of regulatory quality on the relationship between financial development and FDI was also not statistically significant. However, the findings emphasize that improved control of corruption and enhanced political stability are significant positive determinants of FDI inflows in Nigeria. Additionally, trade openness significantly promotes FDI, while exchange rate appreciation notably deters it. The study concludes that attracting FDI to Nigeria largely depends on strengthening enforcement and regulation within the investment landscape, maintaining exchange rate stability, promoting trade openness, and implementing adequate institutional reforms.

Keywords: Financial Development, Foreign Direct Investment, Nigeria, Institutional Quality, Financial Institutions, Capital Markets.

JEL Code: O16, F21, F23, O43