Digitising India: Towards an Inclusive Growth of the Ecosystem is a working paper that presents a comprehensive analysis of India’s efforts to advance digital financial inclusion. Framed within the broader vision of the Digital India programme, the report evaluates key public and private sector interventions including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), BharatNet, and foundational Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and the Account Aggregator framework. These initiatives have expanded access to financial services across diverse population segments, yet several structural and operational challenges continue to limit their full potential.
Drawing on stakeholder consultations and secondary research, the paper analyses both supply-side and demand-side barriers. These include gaps in infrastructure, low digital literacy, affordability constraints, and limited trust in digital systems. A principle-based approach is proposed, emphasising accessibility, contextual design, institutional resilience, and user empowerment. The report also highlights the gendered dimensions of digital access and identifies why increased account ownership does not always translate into active usage. It asks whether solutions such as vernacular interfaces, assisted access, and inclusive design can meaningfully bridge the existing digital divide.
As India expands the global footprint of its DPI ecosystem through platforms like ONDC, OCEN, and BBPS, a key question arises: can digital innovation drive inclusion without leaving behind the most vulnerable? What are the risks if public trust falters or if digital infrastructure fails to keep pace with scale? And how must regulation evolve to ensure responsible, equitable outcomes?
To explore these questions in depth and access the full set of insights and recommendations, download the complete report.