Fintech as a Catalyst for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals in India


Authors : Sapna Gupta

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2t6wh367

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ynb98ky7

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan1487

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Financial technology (Fintech) has emerged as a major driver of inclusive economic development and innovation. A number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), are examined in this study. Using secondary sources (regulatory reports, industry analyses, academic literature and public datasets) and illustrative quantitative series, the paper maps .Fintech mechanisms (payment rails, digital lending, micro-savings, insuretech, regtech, and green fintech) to SDG outcomes, assesses impact evidence, identifies major obstacles (consumer risk, digital exclusion, data governance, and measurement gaps), and offers policy suggestions to maximize benefits while reducing drawbacks. Findings indicate strong evidence that Fintech has accelerated financial inclusion and MSME access to credit in India; evidence for green/ climate outcomes is nascent; and measurable SDG gains require complementary public goods, standardized impact metrics and proportionate regulation.

Keywords : Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, MSME Finance, Green Fintech, Policy.

References :

  1. Arner, D. W., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. P. (2020). The evolution of fintech: A new post-crisis paradigm? Georgetown Journal of International Law, 47(4), 1271–1319.
  2. Asif, M. (2023). The Impact of Fintech and Digital Financial Services on Financial Inclusion. MDPI.
  3. Ahmed, Z. (2025). Fintech and sustainable development: Bridging traditional finance with SDGs. Journal of Sustainable Finance, 12(1), 45–62.
  4. Chandran, S., Kumar, R., & Nair, P. (2026). Artificial intelligence and digital banking for sustainability: Opportunities and challenges. International Journal of Green Finance, 8(2), 101–118.
  5. Bain & Company. (2022). India Fintech Report 2022: Scaling and structural adjustments. Bain & Company.
  6. Economic Times. (2025). FinTech deepens access to formal credit with 11 crore loans in FY 2024–25.
  7. EY & Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). (2024). Fintech for inclusion: Technology and literacy as drivers of equitable growth in India. EY–CII Policy Report.
  8. Geetha, R., & Sathyanarayana, S. (2023). Adoption of Fintech services in India: Trends and implications. Asian Journal of Economics and Finance, 5(3), 77–95.
  9. Hasan, M. (2024). Fintech for sustainable development: A systematic review. Sustainable Finance Journal, 2(1), 1–29.
  10. Kumar, S., & Singh, P. (2024). Fintech and financial inclusion in India. Economic Development Review, 12(3), 155–170.
  11. Kishor, K., Sharma, A., & Patel, M. (2024). Fintech and financial inclusion: A bibliometric and systematic review. Journal of Financial Innovation, 9(4), 233–250.
  12. Geetha, R., & Sathyanarayana, S. (2023). Adoption of Fintech services in India: Trends and implications. Asian Journal of Economics and Finance, 5(3), 77–95.

Financial technology (Fintech) has emerged as a major driver of inclusive economic development and innovation. A number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), are examined in this study. Using secondary sources (regulatory reports, industry analyses, academic literature and public datasets) and illustrative quantitative series, the paper maps .Fintech mechanisms (payment rails, digital lending, micro-savings, insuretech, regtech, and green fintech) to SDG outcomes, assesses impact evidence, identifies major obstacles (consumer risk, digital exclusion, data governance, and measurement gaps), and offers policy suggestions to maximize benefits while reducing drawbacks. Findings indicate strong evidence that Fintech has accelerated financial inclusion and MSME access to credit in India; evidence for green/ climate outcomes is nascent; and measurable SDG gains require complementary public goods, standardized impact metrics and proportionate regulation.

Keywords : Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, MSME Finance, Green Fintech, Policy.

Paper Submission Last Date
28 - February - 2026

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