Digital Financial Inclusion And Sustainable Economic Development In Rural Maharashtra

Abstract Digital financial services have become an important part of everyday economic activity in India. Bank accounts, mobile banking, UPI and other electronic services have made it easier for people to send, receive and manage money. However, having a bank account does not automatically mean that a person is fully included in the financial system. Regular use, digital skills, affordable connectivity, trust and access to suitable financial products are also important. This paper examines the role of digital financial inclusion in supporting sustainable economic development in rural Maharashtra. The study is based entirely on secondary data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), World Bank and NABARD. The RBI Digital Payments Index increased from 100 in March 2018 to 465.33 in September 2024. NPCI data also show continued large-scale UPI use, with 24,508.96 million transactions in August 2026.