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Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have become crucial agents for advancing financial inclusion in rural areas. Through extending small loans and savings accounts to people who don't have access to conventional banks, MFIs empower entrepreneurs—most often women—to initiate or scale up microenterprises. In most villages, these loans support poultry farming, handloom weaving, or tiny retailing outlets. MFIs go beyond credit by regularly offering financial education training, teaching borrowers to cope with cash flows and interest charges. Critics warn, however, that excessive interest rates and repayment pressure can result in over-indebtedness. To avoid such risks, some MFIs limit interest rates and spread repayment terms. Research indicates that when complemented by market linkages—such as guaranteed buyers for fruits and vegetables—microfinance can trigger sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.

According to the author, sustainable impact occurs when microfinance is combined with:

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2025 Question Paper (06-Aug-2025) Shift 2
The correct answer is
Market linkages

Microfinance's Sustainable Impact Explained

The passage discusses microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas. MFIs provide small loans and savings accounts to individuals lacking access to traditional banking services, often empowering women entrepreneurs.

Key Factors for Sustainable Impact

The passage highlights a crucial finding regarding the conditions under which microfinance leads to lasting positive effects. According to the research mentioned:

  • Sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction are triggered when microfinance is complemented by market linkages.

Market linkages refer to connections that help beneficiaries sell their products or services, such as guaranteed buyers for agricultural produce like fruits and vegetables.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine why "Market linkages" is the correct answer based on the provided text:

  • High interest rates: The passage suggests that MFIs sometimes limit interest rates to avoid risks like over-indebtedness, rather than using them to create sustainable impact.
  • Market linkages: The passage explicitly states that when microfinance is combined with market linkages, it can lead to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. This directly supports this option.
  • Shorter loan tenures: The text mentions MFIs spreading repayment terms to manage risks, not specifically shortening them as a driver of sustainable impact.
  • Government bailouts: Government bailouts are not mentioned in the passage as a factor contributing to the sustainable impact of microfinance.

Therefore, the author indicates that sustainable impact occurs when microfinance is combined with market linkages.

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Similar Questions

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  2. Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:

    Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have become crucial agents for advancing financial inclusion in rural areas. Through extending small loans and savings accounts to people who don't have access to conventional banks, MFIs empower entrepreneurs—most often women—to initiate or scale up microenterprises. In most villages, these loans support poultry farming, handloom weaving, or tiny retailing outlets. MFIs go beyond credit by regularly offering financial education training, teaching borrowers to cope with cash flows and interest charges. Critics warn, however, that excessive interest rates and repayment pressure can result in over-indebtedness. To avoid such risks, some MFIs limit interest rates and spread repayment terms. Research indicates that when complemented by market linkages—such as guaranteed buyers for fruits and vegetables—microfinance can trigger sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction.

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Important Questions from Cloze Test

  1. What would come in place of 1

  2. What would come in place of 2

  3. What would come in place of 3

  4. What would come in place of 4

  5. What would come in place of 5

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