ISLAMIC BANKING IN INDIA: AN ALTERNATIVE BANKING SYSTEM

The Banking system in India and all over the world is based on the interest system. Interest bearing money is almost like the law of nature where money generates money. However, an alternative banking system called Islamic banking which prohibits charging of interest and is based on profit/loss sharing system became popular in many countries. Global Islamic banking assets attained compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 17% from 2009 to 2013 according to the World Islamic Banking Competitiveness Report 2014-2015. The Indian Banking system has undergone many changes in the recent past with deregulation of banking system paving way for new banks in India. However, Islamic banking which has emerged as a global phenomenon lately has not evolved as a full-fledged system in India though is it operative through the NBFC route. The research paper tries to explain the concept of Islamic banking and discusses the various financial products offered by the Islamic banks. It weighs the various pros and cons of Islamic banking in India. SWOT analysis and Porter's Five Forces Model are used to provide a thorough analysis of feasibility and scope of Islamic banking in India. The paper reveals that India has a great potential for Islamic banking provided necessary changes in the regulations and guidelines are made to evolve it has an alternative system of banking. The law makers should view it from an economic point of view rather than a religious view for its successful implementation and for the welfare and upliftment of financially excluded sections of society that do not participate in conventional banking due to their religious beliefs.