Digital Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy Among Rural Women: Evidence from Self-Help Group Members in North Odisha
Dr. Anupam Sahoo & Dr. Bijay Kumar Swain
Published in IJMEER (Vol. 1, Issue 2, July 2026) · Pages 25-37 · ISSN: 3139-6003 · DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21809155
Abstract
Digital financial services have expanded dramatically in rural India under the PMJDY and UPI ecosystems, yet gender disparities in digital financial literacy persist. This empirical study evaluates the extent of digital financial inclusion and financial literacy among 320 women Self-Help Group (SHG) members across Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts of North Odisha. Using a multidimensional financial literacy index encompassing digital knowledge, usage frequency, and risk perception, the study finds that while account ownership is near-universal (94.4%), active digital usage remains low (31.2%). Regression analysis reveals that educational attainment, smartphone ownership, and SHG training frequency are significant positive determinants of digital financial competency.
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