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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJARCMSS) [ Vol. 9 | No. 1 (II) | January - March, 2026 ]

Financial Behaviour and Infrastructural Constraints: Dynamics of Financial Inclusion in Tribal and Non-Tribal Districts of Rajasthan, India

Dr. Saroj Bala Dewatwal & Jagdish Chandra Regar

In spite of continuous policy efforts, financial inclusion leftovers irregular between sections and social sets in India. Tribal peoples, in particular, continue to face basic exclusion arising from inadequate infrastructure and socio-cultural constraints. This study examines disparities in financial behaviour and inclusion between tribal and non-tribal districts of Rajasthan and evaluates the role of infrastructural and socio-economic determinants. Using a mixed-method research design, the quantitative component analyses secondary district-level data from five tribal (Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, Sirohi, and Udaipur) and five non-tribal districts (Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota, and Alwar). Financial inclusion is measured using the Inclusix_score, while explanatory variables include bank density, ATM density, road connectivity, and poverty rate. Statistical techniques such as descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, correlation, and multiple regression are employed. Results indicate a statistically significant disparity in financial inclusion between tribal (M = 38.24) and non-tribal districts (M = 63.42; p = 0.008). Infrastructure indicators exhibit a strong positive association with financial inclusion (R² = 0.85), and higher inclusion is inversely related to poverty levels (R² = 0.90). Qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions in Banswara and Pratapgarh additional reveal low financial literacy, cultural reliance on informal credit, and limited institutional trust as critical barriers. The study proposes a comprehensive inclusion agenda emphasizing infrastructure development, digital banking expansion, and context-specific financial literacy interventions. The findings contribute to policy debates on inclusive and sustainable regional development in tribal areas.

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