In India SHG movement began in 1991-92 when NABARD commenced pilot project with an aim of 500 SHGs through MYRADA. The main intention was to eradicate poverty, to create self-sustenance among the disadvantaged section women in rural area. SHG- Bank Linkage Programme prevailing in India since more than 25 years which became most successful largest Microfinance Programme in the globe. This success made the policy makers of India to introduce several programmes viz., poverty alleviation, women empowerment, social upliftment, financial inclusion, entrepreneurial development etc. while addressing the prevailing issues over the period of time. But still there are several problems existed in the credit delivery systems and in providing other financial services. Since 2015, there occur the digital interface with SHGs in India when “Eshakti”, a pilot project introduced by NABARD. The objectives of this paper are: 1) to study the prevailing problems in erstwhile SHG movement in India, 2) to understand the “Eshakti”, a digital interface and its benefits and 3) to study the performance of SHGs in pilot project area.

Conclusion: The digital data made the banks to overcome several challenges and to provide fast credit delivery and other financial services to the SHGs and their members. There is a drastic growth in the SHG movement in reaching the expected goal.

KEYWORDS: Eshakti, SHGs, NABARD, Microfinance Programme, Women Empowerment.