Microfinance, a concept popularized by Muhammad Yunus, has grown tremendously in India. The growing understanding of achieving self sustainability among the rural and urban poor has led to the acceptance and implementation of this idea across India.

The report begins with an introduction to the microfinance sector covering different types of financial institutions, formal and informal, providing financial services to the rural and urban poor in India. The report provides an overview of the current state of microfinance in India covering extensively the two primary facilitators of microfinance - microfinance institutions (MFIs) and SHG’s bank linkage programme (SBLP).

The report highlights the government’s initiatives towards encouraging microfinance institutions in India. The report identifies key trends and characteristics in the sector including low penetration levels of microfinance, large scale PE/VC activity, high interest rate and repayment issues, lack of interest from formal financial institutions and opportunity in the urban sector. The report profiles the major players in the sector including brief business overview, client outreach, financials and future outlook for each player.