Financial literacy awareness and digital financial behaviour in Uttarakhand, India: A qualitative exploration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JSRD.5.S2.32-37Keywords:
Financial literacy, Digital financial inclusion, Financial capability, Government scheme awareness, Perceived digital risk, Gender and financial autonomy, Socio-cultural influence, Uttarakhand, IndiaAbstract
Financial literacy is central to financial inclusion, digital participation and household-level economic security in emerging economies. This study examines financial literacy awareness and digital financial behaviour in Uttarakhand, India, through a qualitative research design. Drawing on 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews, the study identifies important variables shaping financial knowledge, awareness of public financial schemes, digital payment use, perceived online risk, socio-cultural influence and gender-based financial autonomy. The findings indicate that access to bank accounts and digital payment channels has expanded, but many individuals still hold only limited conceptual knowledge of loans, insurance, interest calculation, investment options and scheme procedures. Respondents also reported concerns about cyber fraud, OTP misuse and failed transactions, which reduce confidence in wider digital financial engagement. Family hierarchy and gender norms further shape financial decision-making, particularly for women, who often experience restricted financial independence. The study argues that financial inclusion programmes should move beyond account access and digital adoption towards practical financial education, cyber-safety awareness and gender-sensitive capacity-building. By presenting localised qualitative evidence from Uttarakhand, the study contributes to the literature on financial capability, digital inclusion and inclusive development in India.
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