Stand-Up India Scheme to be Revised for Bigger Loans, Wider Reach: DFS Secretary

• DFS Secretary M Nagaraju announced plans to revise the Stand-Up India scheme for larger loans and broader reach.
• The revision aims to provide bigger loans to more SC, ST beneficiaries, with women's participation already higher than men's.
• Since April 2016, 2.75 lakh loans worth Rs 62,000 crore have been sanctioned under the scheme.
• The government is also working to help Indian fintech companies access overseas markets through trade deals, focusing on East Asia.
• Banking touchpoints now cover 99.9% of villages, with efforts to reach remote areas like Arunachal Pradesh by year-end.

Why It Matters: Government plans to revamp Stand-Up India for larger loans and wider reach, boosting financial inclusion.