WOMEN’S DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA: A PATHWAY TOWARDS SDG 5 AND SDG 8
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69980/6zmnxp30Keywords:
Digital Financial Inclusion, Women Entrepreneurship, Digital Payments, SDG 5, SDG 8Abstract
This study examines the role of digital financial inclusion in promoting women’s entrepreneurship in India and its contribution towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Using secondary data from the World Bank, PMJDY, NPCI, Government of India and related institutional sources, the study adopts a descriptive and analytical approach. Findings reveal that women’s financial account ownership reached 89.2% in 2024, compared with 88.8% for men. As of August 2026, women constituted approximately 55.7% of 59.15 crore PMJDY beneficiaries. India’s digital ecosystem also processed over 22 billion UPI transactions monthly during April–June 2026. Furthermore, women received approximately two-thirds of MUDRA loans by number, while women MSMEs secured over ₹28,000 crore in GeM contract value during FY 2025–26. The study concludes that strengthening digital literacy, entrepreneurial credit and market access can transform financial inclusion into sustainable women-led entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr.Gopal Singh Gauniya, Dr. Arunima Pandey, Dr. Pushpa Bhatt, Mrs. Bhawna Dhoni, Dr. Jagmohan Pragien, Dr. Suresh Singh Mehta
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