UP's BC Sakhi Yojana: Know Its Features And Eligibility Criteria

The Uttar Pradesh government launched the BC Sakhi Yojana in 2020 to promote women's financial inclusion. The scheme aims to provide banking services to villagers and generate employment for women. The correspondents are known as Banking Correspondent Sakhis or BC Sakhis. Over 50,000 women have been trained under the scheme. Which includes nearly 40,000 working in thousands of villages to make everyday banking easier, secure, and accessible.

Doorstep Banking—A Boon for Villages

Imagine living in a village where the nearest bank is 10 to 15 kilometres distant. For many, this is the reality. Previously, simple financial procedures such as withdrawing pensions or checking accounts necessitated long or expensive journeys. BC Sakhis are now integrated into these villages, so people no longer need to travel for financial services. 

BC Sakhis provide a variety of services, that include cash deposits and withdrawals. They also conduct  balance inquiries and help in pension disbursal and money transfers. 

These services are delivered to the customer's door. They are frequently delivered via portable digital devices, assuring ease and transparency for the accountholders. 

So far, these women have handled transactions worth over Rs 31,626 crores. The initiative has collectively earned Rs 85.81 crore in commissions and incentives.

Who Can Become a BC Sakhi?

Becoming a BC Sakhi is both a responsibility and an opportunity for women. The eligibility criteria ensure that candidates can handle digital banking tools with effective interaction with customers.

Eligibility criteria include:

• The candidate must have a minimum qualification of Class 10 pass

• The candidate must be digitally literate and comfortable with using basic devices

The shortlisted candidates undergo professional training provided by Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs). The training is given with support from major banks like Bank of Baroda and UCO Bank. The Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) certifies them after the training. This ensures that BC Sakhis are ready to manage real-world transactions securely.

Transforming Lives—A New Role for Rural Women

The BC Sakhi Yojana goes beyond just the banking sector's development. It's about changing the narrative for women in rural India. Typically, rural Women are traditionally confined to domestic roles; these women are now active earners and local leaders. The scheme has given them a dignified livelihood and helped them gain social respect and financial independence. This scheme also helps women be independent and understand the banking infrastructure through the training given to them. It is especially beneficial to the women who are forced to drop out of school and pressured into marriage.

BC Sakhis earn a steady monthly income, along with performance- based incentives. This makes their role viable and encouraging. Many BC Sakhis are now able to support their families and pay for children's education. As compared to before they are even contributing to household decisions with newfound confidence.

Building a Digitally Literate Rural India

In addition to their banking duties, BC Sakhis also acts as a digital and financial literacy agent. They teach villagers how to use mobile banking apps, understand transaction records, and avoid financial fraud. This creates a ripple effect of awareness and confidence in using formal financial services. As a result, rural areas are gradually moving away from cash-only systems toward safer and more traceable digital banking practices. BC Sakhis are actively working towards creating consumer awareness and responsible net banking through educating the users about digital banking and digital transactions.

A Model for Inclusive Development

The BC Sakhi Yojana addresses two key challenges:

1. It helps the villages that lack banking access or knowledge on how to use digital means of money transactions. It helps them move from cash transactions to smart transactions

2. The initiative also promotes eradication of unemployment and lack of opportunities for women

By combining both objectives, the scheme provides a dual benefit: better financial infrastructure and women's empowerment. It has also strengthened the trust of villagers in formal banking institutions, which is a vital step in the long-term goal of economic inclusion.

Looking Ahead

Uttar Pradesh's BC Sakhis, trained in financial services, is setting a model for India's rural development. The model can be enforced in other states to achieve inclusive growth, especially in low-banking areas. As the scheme evolves, it could expand into other industries, including insurance, micro-credit, and digital payments. It can make BC Sakhis a central part of rural India's financial ecosystem. The BC Sakhi Yojana demonstrates how smart policy, community participation, and digital tools can create positive change, empowering women and redefining rural development.