Fostering financial inclusion for attaining sustainable goals: What contributes more to the inclusive financial behaviour of rural households in India?

Abstract

This study focuses on the effects of financial advisers, product attributes, and financial literacy on rural families’ financial inclusion in particular Indian areas. Survey data, collected from 423 respondents from the marginalized communities, is structurally еquation-modеlеd to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal that financial literacy and awareness exhibited a large direct effect on financial inclusion and the financial advisors play a significant role in achieving sustainable goals by moderating the economic behaviour of the rural households. It is recommended that finance advisors be engaged, overseen and made an integral part of financial systems to provide high-quality ethical service, bridge the trust gap between households and financial institutions, and promote the inclusive behaviour of rural household. The financial products, government schemes be customized to the best of specific nееds and demographics of rural areas and financial advisors must be engaged for community financial literacy campaigns so that the products reach the section at the bottom of economic pyramid. Overall, this study offers insightful facts that can support financial inclusion laws and help rural India achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.