A study on MSME lending by Public Sector Banks in India with specific reference to Indian Overseas Bank

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades. MSMEs not only play crucial role in providing large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost than large industries but also help in industrialization of rural & backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. MSMEs are complementary to large industries as ancillary units and this sector contributes enormously to the socioeconomic development of the country.

MSMEs contribute significantly to the national economy in terms of production, employment and exports. MSME sector is an important pillar of Indian economy as it contributes greatly to the growth of Indian economy with a vast network of around 3 crore units, creating employment of about 7 crore, manufacturing more than 6,000 products, contributing about 45% to manufacturing output and about 40% of exports, directly and indirectly. This study highlights the lending policies taken by Government of India for the MSME sector and the role of Indian Overseas Bank in this regard. A small case on Credit Appraisal process of a Micro Enterprise has been included in the study to understand the concepts better.