Abstract:

Microfinance is the facility of financial assistance to lower income, poor and very-poor people from society. The concept, Micro-Finance is no more new in India. Earlier some money-lenders used to lend credibility to farmers. Now there are organized formal institutions like SIDBI, NABARD, RRBs, Grameen Banks, Cooperatives, Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs) and various Self-Help Groups (SHG) which provide microfinancing services. A few years back MF observed only as a liaison of providing rural credit to farmers, cottage industries and small-scale enterprises who could not afford the high-interest rates of nationalized banks and required very small amounts of loans. However, with the advent of the era of “Make in India '' and “Start-up India” the role of MF has evolved as a medium to provide economical and easy credit to young entrepreneurs. The paper begins with the introduction of the concept of micro-finance in India, its growth and the present scenario. A detailed and in depth survey is conducted by the researcher for analysing the various roles played by MFIs and its awareness in rural talukas of Nashik District in Maharashtra. The researcher interviewed 50 respondents from rural Nashik talukas through a structured questionnaire. Lastly, the paper focuses on various findings of the survey & suggestions to improve the conditions of MFIs and the need for a regulatory body to develop and guide MFIs to create Financial Literacy using E-learning Modes is highlighted. This paper aims to focus on the status of micro-finance as an instrument to stimulate the Indian economy to accomplish sustainable economic growth using E platforms in the era of capacity building & skill development

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