Finance is one of the most important inputs for economic activity, growth, and development. Debt can have a significant effect if it is not funded or insufficient through its accumulated resources or equity. Credit access is one of the most important inputs in reducing poverty and promoting economic development among the backward poor, among other materials required for such development. Recognizing the importance of credit and other financial services for the socio-economic development of the rural poor, the policy of increasing the availability of such loans was widely used to accelerate rural development in developing countries like India. Against this backdrop, in this book, we have attempted to study the magnitude of poverty and the financial inclusion of the poor in the Indian context. The book has been divided into seven chapters to analyze the impact of micro and small finance in rural development. Also, we have attempted to assess the role of small finance to enhance the livelihood security of the poor.