International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

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The Digital Divide and Psychological Barriers: An Analysis of "Trust" and "Perceived Risk" in UPI Adoption among Rural Populations

Author(s) Dr. Sandip Kumar, Dr. Tulsi Kumari Singh, Dr. Abhishek Kabiraj
Country India
Abstract This study investigates the persistent "usage gap" in digital financial services within rural Jharkhand, shifting the focus from infrastructural access to psychological determinants. Despite near-universal bank account ownership (89.2%) and increasing smartphone penetration, actual internet and UPI adoption in rural areas remain significantly lower compared to urban centers. Drawing on secondary data from the NSSO 78th Round, NFHS-5 and NPCI (2025) reports, the research employs the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Prospect Theory to analyze how "Trust" and "Perceived Risk" act as invisible economic barriers. Findings reveal a "Trust Gap" of 66.5% in rural Jharkhand, with adoption rates among Scheduled Tribe (ST) households (26.3%) lagging significantly behind the General category (54.8%). The analysis suggests that high loss aversion and a lack of institutional trust deter rural users from transitioning to "invisible" digital transactions. The paper concludes that bridging the digital divide requires policy interventions that prioritize localized support, vernacular interfaces and structural risk-mitigation to build cognitive trust among marginalized populations.
Keywords Behavioral economics, digital divide, UPI adoption, Jharkhand, trust, perceived risk, scheduled tribes
Published In Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-05-09
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.77640
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