This study provides an overview of the different dimensions of financial inclusion, its socioeconomic impacts on society’s sustainable development, and future research agendas. Initially, 620 studies were identified using Scopus and other databases, employing keywords such as financial literacy, financial inclusion, financial capability, women’s empowerment, fintech, artificial intelligence, financial accessibility, sustainable development goals, and economic growth. After refinement based on focus and relevance, 325 papers were analyzed in detail for review, primarily focused on India and emerging economies. This review highlights that access to finance by untouched segments of society is essential for sustainable and socio-economic development in developing economies. The official banking system, an effort by the government to assist the financially disadvantaged, can incorporate the impoverished into a formal financial system through campaigns and credit system reforms. Socioeconomic programs reinforce one another and foster the development of children, women, families, and society. This research paper undertakes a systematic literature review primarily focused on relevant articles in broad areas of financial inclusion and its impact analysis and offers a valuable agenda for future research.

Despite the increasing accessibility of digital financial instruments globally, a number of women encounter obstacles in properly using these platforms due to insufficient digital financial literacy, which profoundly affects their financial decision-making and economic empowerment. This study aims to promote digital financial literacy and Fintech adoption for women in India by examining the effects of digital financial literacy on financial decision-making while considering the mediating effect of government support and digital financial literacy. Furthermore, in this study, we analyzed the relationship between independent variables such as financial attitude (FAtt), subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavior control (PBC), digital financial literacy (DFL), and financial accessibility (FA) on the dependent variable, i.e., financial decision-making (FDM). We also explored how financial decision-making impacts women’ intention towards investment (INT). By analyzing 385 Indian women respondents using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study revealed that financial attitude (FAtt) leads to higher financial decision-making (FDM), exerting moderate effects. Similarly, subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioral control (PBC), digital financial literacy (DFL), and financial accessibility (FA) significantly lead to financial decision-making. Overall, the five predictors of financial decision-making explained around 71% of the variance. Financial decision-making exerted a significant and robust effect on women’s intention towards investment. Financial resilience significantly moderated the effects of financial decision-making on women’s intention towards investment. These findings emphasize the necessity of implementing a distinct government strategy and programs to enhance the adoption of Fintech among women living in urban and rural regions across India. This study is aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

The rapid pace of urbanization has presented cities worldwide with a range of complex issues pertaining to the management of resources, reduction of waste, and promotion of sustainable practices. The concepts of circular economies and sustainable smart cities have arisen as viable solutions, converging to establish a revolutionary framework for the future of urban living. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis using literature focusing on the past ten years (2013–2022) of research on the circular economy and smart cities using VOSviewer. The most frequently used Scopus database was used to extract bibliometric data. 163 articles were considered for the analysis. This study utilizes co-authorship, co-occurrence, citation analysis and bibliographic coupling of author keywords while grap0hically mapping the bibliographic material using VOS viewer software Version 1.6.19. The bibliographic analysis reveals that the significant themes published in journals revolve around “circular economy”, “Sustainable development”, “sustainability”, “smart city”, “waste management”, “recycling”, “Sustainability”, “climate change”, “smart technologies”, “municipal solid waste”, “renewable energy”, and “planning”. The results would provide a robust base for more research in this area. The research work paves the way for future research in the related areas and issues of the domain, as it is an emerging issue in research, and many problems are untapped.

Purpose: This qualitative study aims to examine bankers’ perspectives regarding financial inclusion, the challenges it faces and the scope for improvement. This research proposes a financial inclusion model, considering the inputs received by bankers. Financial exclusion of different sections is an issue common to emerging countries. Design/methodology/approach: Data for qualitative research were collected through interviews with bank officials. The information was gathered from 32 bankers from India’s several zones (North, South, West and East). The data were collected from bankers from different public and private sector banks. Thematic analysis was performed up to the point of saturation to study the response received from bankers. Findings: Bank-related issues such as frequent computer problems, network connectivity problems, costs, a shortage of bank branches, fewer transactions through automated teller machines and a shortage of banking staff affect customers’ confidence in formal banking. Banking services are disrupted by a lack of trust in banking correspondents (BCs), as they are not regular employees of banks. Limits on daily transactions discourage high-value customers from using BCs and kiosks. The time spent on administrative formalities impacts customers. Financial inclusion is affected by availability, accessibility, usage and affordability. Digital financial literacy is essential for ease of transaction, but awareness about financial products helps protect customers from cyber scams. The findings of this research would benefit financial institutions globally in developing their businesses and helping to achieve financial inclusion and the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). Originality/value: This research paper undertakes a qualitative analysis of the views collected from bankers. Bankers are crucial stakeholders in the successful implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Policy of the Government of India. Bankers’ perspectives will be important not only for India and its researchers but also in the global context, as the UN’s SDGs focus on leaving no one behind.