Abstract: Digital payments are increasingly emerging as a powerful driver of financial inclusion in financial services that are accessed outside the formal banking system by those who are under-served. The purpose of this study is to explore the development and enhancement of financial inclusion with the implementation of digital financial service among rural and semi-urban population of India and the barriers faced while availing the financial service. The research design employed is quantitative and the data collected are from respondents of 150 who are given structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyse the data. The results show that the digital payment services have a high positive effect on financial inclusion and increase access to banks and financial services. It also revealed that digital illiteracy, poor infrastructure, connectivity, security are major factors that affect the acceptance and utilization of digital payment technologies. The study calls for further progress in the creation of digital infrastructure and financial literacy to enhance inclusive and sustainable economic development in rural and semi-urban areas of India.
Keywords: Digital Payments, Financial Inclusion, Rural Population, Semi-Urban Areas, Mobile Banking, UPI, FinTech.
Title: Role of Digital Payments in Advancing Financial Inclusion among Rural and Semi-Urban Populations in India
Author: P. Amali Fathima, Dr. A. Martin David
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 621-628
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 02-July-2026
