• Suhas Varma Pakalapati
• Abhishek Khapre

Youth financial behaviour in India reflects a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Organizations' adoption of UPI and other digital payment systems coexists with persistently low levels of financial literacy. This study examines the relationship between financial literacy, digital adoption, saving behaviour, and micro-investment participation among Indian youth aged 15–30, using exclusively secondary data from SEBI, RBI, NPCI, OECD, and the World Bank. A descriptive–analytical approach was adopted to synthesise cross-national benchmarks, demographic patterns, digital finance indicators, and behavioural insights. Findings reveal a significant behavioural paradox: although digital payment usage among youth exceeds 85%, investment awareness and participation remain critically low, with only 16% of young adults familiar with mutual funds. OECD and global evidence affirm a strong positive association between financial literacy and responsible financial behaviours. Financially proficient youth are 72% more likely to save and 50% more likely to compare prices. However, in India, this literacy–behaviour linkage is undermined by impulsive digital consumption patterns, driven by behavioural triggers embedded within digital platforms. Comparative analysis further highlights substantial optimisation gaps, urban–rural disparities, and a preference for low-yield savings instruments. The findings suggest an urgent need to integrate behavioural design, gamification, and financial literacy within digital financial ecosystems. Accordingly, the study proposes a conceptual framework for a youth-focused intervention, Sero, which features AI-driven financial guidance, gamified nudges, and micro-investment pathways to strengthen saving discipline and promote long-term wealth-building. This research contributes to emerging discourse on digital financial inclusion, behavioural economics, and youth financial capability, offering actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and fintech innovators.

Youth financial literacy; Micro-investment; Savings behavior; Digital adoption; Gamification; Financial inclusion; Secondary data analysis;

"SERO: EXPLORING THE NEXUS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, SAVINGS, AND DIGITAL FINANCE AMONG INDIAN YOUTH", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no.f271-f281, March-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603535.pdf

"SERO: EXPLORING THE NEXUS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, SAVINGS, AND DIGITAL FINANCE AMONG INDIAN YOUTH", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no. ppf271-f281, March-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603535.pdf