Abstract
India’s digital payment ecosystem has evolved into a global model for inclusive and sustainable 8inancial innovation. The present study compares the sustainability and ef8iciency of the FinTech infrastructure in India, such as UPI, IMPS, CTS, ATM and NETC FASTag, on a decade basis from 2016 to 2026. It combines descriptive, inferential and forecasting analyses using ten years of secondary data, thereby providing a comprehensive evaluation of India’s FinTech-driven digital payment ecosystem and its future sustainability trajectory. The study develops empirical indicators such as the Cost Ef8iciency Index, Financial Inclusion Index and Sustainability Index using secondary data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to capture technological and environmental performance. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technology Readiness Index (TRI), the study uses correlation and regression analysis to examine the association between digital transaction values, inclusion and cost ef8iciency. The study uses linear, ARIMA and exponential smoothing to forecast FinTech sustainability trends through The results show a positive correlation between digitization and cost ef8iciency and that FinTech’s environmental impact was highly signi8icant, with savings in paper and fuel due to the use of FASTag. The paper explores recommendations for expanding digital literacy, strengthening cyber security and incorporating ESG principles into FinTech development.
Keywords: Cost Ef8iciency, Digital Payments, Financial Inclusion, FinTech, Innovation, Sustainability