Unlocking Financial Literacy: Confronting Challenges, Embracing Strategies, and Harnessing Instruments

Financial inclusion relies on financial literacy as its first step. Financial literacy is essential for achieving financial inclusion, development, and stability. However, recent experiences have shown that without proper financial literacy, people can be harmed instead of helped by financial inclusion. India boasts efficient financial markets and high savings rates, but for wealth creation to occur, the average person needs to become a wiser investor and be protected from financial misconduct. Financial literacy is crucial for basic budgeting, saving, and ensuring a dignified life after retirement. It is especially needed in India due to low literacy levels and a significant portion of the population remaining outside the formal financial system, particularly in rural areas. Financially informed consumers can contribute to the economy by promoting competition among service providers, leading to innovation and improved efficiency. Key Words: financial literacy; financial wellbeing; financial resilience