From Availability to Adoption: Exploring Access–Usage Imbalances in Financial Inclusion

Abstract

This study examines the persistent access–usage gap in financial inclusion across Haryana by analyzing secondary data from RBI, PMJDY, DBT Bharat, NPCI, IRDAI, and state statistical sources for the period 2013–2025. Although Haryana demonstrates near-universal access through rapid expansion of bank branches, PMJDY accounts, and digital infrastructure, active financial engagement remains uneven across districts. The case analysis reveals that industrial districts, such as Gurugram and Faridabad, exhibit high digital transaction intensity, credit penetration, and insurance uptake, whereas agrarian and socio-economically constrained districts, including Nuh, Sirsa, and Fatehabad, show low usage despite comparable access levels. Trends indicate that digital public infrastructure initiatives, particularly UPI and AEPS, have improved usage in urban centres but have not closed behavioural and structural gaps in rural areas. The findings highlight the need for targeted district-level interventions that integrate digital capability-building, strengthen rural service delivery, and introduce policy-driven incentives for use.