Financial Literacy The Road Ahead With Special Reference To Hazaribag District

Abstract

Even after 60 years of independence, a large section of Indian population still remains financially illiterate. In the recent years the government and RBI has been pushing the concept and idea of financial literacy programs and financial inclusion schemes. This research is an attempt to explore the financial literacy level that exists in Hazaribag district of Jharkhand state on the basis of financial attitude, financial behavior and financial knowledge. The research aims to find the association between demographic profile of the respondents and financial literacy. Research also evaluates the initiatives taken by banks and other stakeholders of Hazaribag district in proliferation of financial literacy. The first chapter is the introduction of the study, second chapter covers the literature review, third chapter presents status of financial literacy in the India followed by the financial literacy in the district of Hazaribag in the fourth chapter, fifth chapter explains the research methodologies implemented and data analysis, sixth the final chapter contains findings, conclusions and recommendations. The findings of the research leads to the conclusion that Hazaribag people are not financial literate on the basis of researcher s set parameters of financial attitude, financial behavior and has no interest in increasing their financial knowledge. But urban respondents were found more financial literate in comparison to rural respondents. PMJDY was found a great scheme in increasing financial literacy in Hazaribag district. The research recommends redesigning the financial literacy campaign, government should start incubation centers at school and college levels to increase financial literacy among youngster and suitable methodologies adoption to increase financial literacy. The NGOs should be engaged at large in financial literacy initiatives. Government financial instruments information should be properly disseminated among rural population.