On National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 44th Foundation Day, marking over four decades of impact in rural credit, infrastructure, and financial inclusion. The celebration saw the launch of major digital and developmental initiatives, reinforcing NABARD’s role in inclusive growth, rural tech innovation, and governance enhancement.
Key Strategic Initiatives Launched
RuralTech CoLab Portal
- An open digital innovation platform.
- Empowers startups, tech developers, and research institutes to co-create, test, and scale rural-centric technologies.
- Technologies will focus on:
- Agriculture innovation
- Rural development
- Rural financial services
- Provides access to NABARD’s grassroots network:
- SHGs, FPOs, NGOs, Co-operative Banks, etc.
NIVARAN- Internal Grievance Redressal System
- A 24×7 digital complaint resolution system for Rural Cooperative Banks.
- Aims to improve governance, transparency, and service delivery.
- Integrated with CPGRAMS (Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System).
- Aligned with RBI’s grievance redressal norms.
- Offers real-time status tracking of complaints for improved accountability.
Graduated Rural Income Generation Programme (GRIP)
- A livelihood intervention aimed at the ultra-poor rural households.
- Uses returnable grants and capacity building to transition households into formal income-generating activities.
Other Key Initiatives Announced
- New Sub-Office in Leh, Ladakh: To extend credit and development finance to remote Himalayan regions.
- Official NABARD WhatsApp Channel:
- Real-time advisories for rural stakeholders.
- Updates on FPO activities, market info, and NABARD schemes.
- Radio Jingle for Financial Inclusion:
- Targets rural and semi-urban listeners via All India Radio & community radios.
- Awareness on savings, credit, insurance.
Publications Released
- “RIDF@30: A Journey of Rural Transformation”
- Celebrating 30 years of the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
- Chronicles success in irrigation, roads, schools, health infra, etc.
- “Grameen Bharat Mahotsav” Coffee Table Book
- Showcased the January 2025 Bharat Mandapam event.
- Celebrates rural India’s culture, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- “Beyond Numbers 2025” Impact Report
- Highlights NABARD’s credit, digital, climate, and institutional development initiatives.
About NABARD
| Feature | Details |
| Full Form | National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development |
| Established On | 12 July 1982 |
| Founded Under | NABARD Act, 1981 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Regulated By | RBI (supervision) and GoI (ownership) |
| Chairperson (as of 2025) | Shaji K. V. |
| Core Mission | Promote sustainable and equitable rural prosperity through credit and development |
| Key Focus Areas | Rural credit, infrastructure, cooperative banking, SHGs, FPOs |
| RIDF | Rural Infrastructure Development Fund is Major fund under NABARD for rural roads, irrigation, health, etc |
Significance for India’s Rural Sector
- Strengthens digital grievance mechanisms in rural cooperative banks.
- Boosts tech innovation in rural enterprises via RuralTech CoLab.
- Ensures targeted livelihood support to the poorest via GRIP.
- Extends NABARD’s footprint to geographically remote areas like Ladakh.
- Enhances financial awareness through inclusive media like radio and WhatsApp.