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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJARCMSS) [ Vol. 9 | No. 2 (I) | April - June, 2026 ]

Financial Literacy, Digital Financial Literacy, and Financial Inclusion: An Empirical Analysis

Deepty Bansal & Lavneet Kaur

This study examines the relationship between financial literacy, digital financial literacy, and financial inclusion in rural Punjab. Primary data were collected from 500 respondents across three districts using a multistage random sampling technique. For analytical purposes, dimension indices were constructed for all three variables. The study evaluates the influence of gender, education, and employment status on financial literacy, digital financial literacy, and financial inclusion. The findings reveal that financial literacy plays a critical role in enhancing both digital financial literacy and financial inclusion. Significant gender disparities are observed across all dimensions. Furthermore, the results underscore the importance of improving educational attainment and expanding employment opportunities to achieve higher levels of financial and digital literacy, as well as financial inclusion. The study suggests that practical and skill-oriented education can serve as an effective strategy to enhance educational outcomes and promote employability among both men and women.

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