Published Paper Details:

The rural economy of Uttar Pradesh, heavily dependent on agriculture and informal livelihoods, faces persistent challenges such as limited access to institutional credit, financial exclusion, and low income diversification. This study examines the role of the State Bank of India (SBI) in addressing these challenges through targeted financial interventions. Utilizing secondary data from RBI, NABARD, and SBI reports between 2012 and 2023, the paper analyzes the bank's performance across key areas including Priority Sector Lending (PSL), the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, financial inclusion programs, and digital outreach. The findings highlight SBI's expanding rural footprint and its positive impact on agricultural productivity, income generation, and women's empowerment through SHG-bank linkage. Despite progress, issues such as high NPAs, digital access gaps, and low financial literacy continue to constrain impact. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations to strengthen SBI's developmental role in rural Uttar Pradesh through technology integration, credit monitoring, and community-level financial education.