The correct answer is 1969. In 1969 the Lead Bank Scheme introduced by the Reserve Bank of India. Additional Information Lead Bank Scheme:In 1969 the Lead Bank Scheme introduced by the Reserve Bank of India. The objective of the scheme was the eradication of unemployment and underemploymentThe appreciable rise in the standard of living for the poorest of the poorProvision of some of the basic needs of the people who belong to poor sections of the societyThe basic idea was to have an œarea approach for targeted and focused banking. The bankers committee, headed by S. Nariman, concluded that districts would be the units for area approach and each district could be allotted to a particular bank that will perform the role of a Lead Bank. Lead Bank as Consortium LeaderUnder the Scheme, each district had been assigned to different banks (public and private) to act as a consortium leader to coordinate the efforts of banks in the district particularly in matters like branch expansion and credit planning. The Lead Bank was to act as a consortium leader for coordinating the efforts of all credit institutions in each of the allotted districts for expansion of branch banking facilities and for meeting the credit needs of the rural economy.