Going Cashless in India: Awareness and Usage of Digital Payment Systems

The rapid expansion of information and communication technology has transformed India’s financial ecosystem, leading to a steady shift from cash-based transactions toward digital payment systems. Government initiatives such as Digital India, Jan Dhan Yojana, Aadhaar linkage, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), along with increased smartphone penetration and affordable internet access, have accelerated this transition. However, adoption remains uneven across different socio-economic groups. The present study examines (i) the level of awareness of digital payment services and (ii) the usage patterns and preferences of users toward digital payment systems. Primary data were collected from 153 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed for analysis. The findings reveal that while basic awareness of digital payments is widespread, variations exist across gender and occupational roles in specific services such as e-wallet usage and certain security-related practices. The study highlights the need for targeted digital literacy and awareness programs to strengthen India’s progress toward a more inclusive cashless economy.