The newfound convenience and trust in digital transactions have significantly helped the Indian financial industry infuse confidence into a vastly untapped market. This has generated a ripple effect in the fintech climate as well. India now ranks third in fintech funding globally (in the January-June period). However, financial literacy is still a work in progress in India.

According to an ASSOCHAM-PwC report, India's Fintech market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 31 percent till 2025. The prospect of market expansion offers a substantial opportunity while also posing considerable challenges for the industry. A Redseer consultancy report

forecasts a notable surge in India's insurance penetration, projecting the market to approach a valuation of nearly $222 billion by FY26. This growth is attributed to the expanding middle class and the proliferation of internet access. Concurrently, the industry must navigate obstacles such as escalating medical inflation, which has compelled numerous insurers to raise premiums on health insurance policies this year- a factor that may negatively impact the rate of market adoption.

The union government's vision has made a massive difference in the outcome. Faster financial inclusion, especially in rural India, will be a crucial aspect of the Indian government’s dream of becoming a $5 trillion economy. Indeed, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has been on a long stride towards this ambitious goal. PMJDY aims to democratize affordable access to financial services such as bank accounts, remittances, credit, insurance, and pensions. The program has been a considerable success, with 51.95 Crore banking accounts opened so far under the scheme with a cumulative balance of Rs. 2,34,997 crore. This special yearly issue delves deeper into India's financial services ecosystem. Do let us know your thoughts.