Linking Financial and Social Inclusion: A PLS-SEM Analysis in the South Gujarat Region

Linking Financial and Social Inclusion: A PLS-SEM Analysis in the South Gujarat Region | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Linking Financial and Social Inclusion: A PLS-SEM Analysis in the South Gujarat Region Ms. Mahafreen Patel, Dr. Ranjan Sabhaya, Dr. Pooja Patel This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Financial and social inclusion are increasingly recognized as key enablers of equitable and sustainable development. This study investigates the structural relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion among adults residing in the South Gujarat region. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 400 respondents aged 18 years and above, each holding a bank account. A structured questionnaire measured the multidimensional constructs of financial inclusion (comprising accessibility, availability, awareness, usage, penetration, and quality) and social inclusion (encompassing participation, sense of belonging and connectedness, and citizenship). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess the measurement and structural models. The results indicate that social inclusion has a positive and significant influence on financial inclusion, suggesting that greater community engagement, social participation, and sense of belonging contribute to improved financial inclusion outcomes. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, confirming the robustness of the constructs. This study contributes to the literature by integrating financial and social dimensions of inclusion within a unified analytical framework and offers policy implications for promoting inclusive financial systems through social empowerment initiatives. Business and commerce/Business and management Social science/Business and management Social science/Development studies Business and commerce/Economics Social science/Economics Business and commerce/Finance Social science/Finance Business and commerce/Information systems and information technology Social science/Sociology Financial Inclusion Social Inclusion PLS-SEM South Gujarat Participation Accessibility Figures Figure 1 1. Introduction Financial inclusion has emerged as a pivotal component of inclusive growth and sustainable economic development across developing economies. It refers to the accessibility and usage of affordable financial products and services by all segments of society, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups (Sarma & Pais, 2011 ; Demirgüç-Kunt et al., 2018 ). The World Bank ( 2022 ; also see World Bank, 2018 ) emphasizes that financial inclusion is fundamental to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, and economic resilience. Recent contributions further highlight that innovations in digital finance and institutional reforms significantly accelerate inclusion (Ozili, 2024 ; Pushp et al., 2023 ; Murthy, 2023 ; Kalaivani & Mani, 2025 ). However, inclusion is not only a financial phenomenon—it is deeply intertwined with broader social factors such as participation, belongingness, and citizenship that together constitute the essence of social inclusion (Rawal, 2008 ; Silver, 2015 ; Maity, 2023 ). Social inclusion represents the process through which individuals gain opportunities to participate fully in economic, social, and civic life, supported by equal access to resources and rights (Atkinson & Marlier, 2010 ). It encompasses dimensions such as social participation, sense of belonging, and citizenship, which together influence individuals’ engagement with financial systems and institutions (Yoshino & Morgan, 2017 ; Singh, n.d.). Individuals who feel socially included are more likely to trust financial institutions, adopt formal financial services, and participate in economic activities (Allen et al., 2016 ; Biswas & Ahamed, 2023 ). Conversely, social exclusion often correlates with financial marginalization, reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality (Karlan et al., 2014 ; Ahamed & Gutiérrez-Romero, 2020 ). India’s efforts to strengthen financial inclusion—through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), digital banking, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—have achieved significant outreach, yet social and regional disparities persist (RBI, 2021; Rao et al., 2025 ). In particular, the South Gujarat region presents a distinctive socio-economic landscape characterized by industrial development juxtaposed with pockets of rural and tribal populations, where social connectedness and community participation vary widely. Understanding how social inclusion shapes financial inclusion within this regional context can offer valuable insights for policy and practice (Gaur et al., 2025 ). Existing literature has predominantly focused on financial inclusion as an economic construct, emphasizing access, availability, and usage of financial services (Beck, Demirgüç-Kunt, & Levine, 2007 ; Sarma, 2012 ; Carbo et al., 2005). However, the social dimensions that underpin financial behavior have received comparatively limited empirical attention. Few studies have empirically tested integrated models linking financial and social inclusion using advanced techniques such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) (Cicchiello, 2021; Marza et al., 2025 ). Addressing this gap, the present study develops and tests a model exploring the relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion in the South Gujarat region. Specifically, it aims (1) to determine the key dimensions influencing social and financial inclusion, and (2) to examine the structural relationship between the two constructs using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). This research contributes to both theoretical and practical understanding by integrating social and financial inclusion frameworks into a unified empirical model. The findings are expected to guide policymakers, financial institutions, and community organizations in designing interventions that promote holistic inclusion—where social participation and belongingness serve as pathways to equitable financial access. 2. Review of Literature 2.1 Financial Inclusion: Concept and Dimensions Financial inclusion has become a central theme in global development discourse, recognized as a key driver for economic stability and poverty alleviation (Demirgüç-Kunt et al., 2018 ; World Bank, 2022 ). It refers to the process of ensuring access to affordable, appropriate, and timely financial services—such as savings, credit, insurance, and remittances—for all individuals, especially those traditionally excluded from formal financial systems (Sarma & Pais, 2011 ). The concept extends beyond mere access to encompass usage , quality , and affordability of financial services (Sarma, 2012 ). Beck, Demirgüç-Kunt, and Levine ( 2007 ) argue that financial inclusion enhances resource mobilization, improves risk-sharing, and contributes to economic growth and social welfare. Scholars have proposed multidimensional frameworks to capture the scope of financial inclusion. Common dimensions include accessibility (availability of financial service points), availability (infrastructure and outreach), awareness (financial literacy and knowledge), usage (frequency and diversity of service use), penetration (extent of account ownership and service uptake), and quality (user satisfaction and service reliability) (Allen et al., 2016 ; Park & Mercado, 2018). These dimensions collectively reflect both supply-side and demand-side factors influencing inclusion. In the Indian context, initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and digital financial ecosystems have substantially improved access to formal finance, yet disparities persist across gender, education, and regional lines (Reserve Bank of India [RBI], 2021). 2.2 Social Inclusion: Participation, Belonging, and Citizenship Social inclusion refers to the process of improving individuals’ ability to participate fully in social, economic, and political life through equal opportunities, rights, and access to resources (Atkinson & Marlier, 2010 ; Silver, 2015 ). It entails dismantling barriers that lead to exclusion, marginalization, or discrimination. Rawal ( 2008 ) describes social inclusion as both a process and an outcome —the former involving policies and actions that promote equality, and the latter signifying improved participation and empowerment. Three key dimensions often define social inclusion. Participation — active engagement in community, civic, and economic activities that fosters empowerment and shared responsibility. Sense of Belonging and Connectedness — emotional and psychological attachment to one’s community or society, which strengthens social cohesion and trust (Putnam, 2000). Citizenship — recognition of individuals as equal members of society with rights, responsibilities, and access to institutional support (Burchardt, Le Grand, & Piachaud, 2002). A strong sense of belonging and participation enhances individuals’ confidence and engagement in broader socio-economic systems, creating the foundation for equitable access to opportunities (Atkinson & Marlier, 2010 ). Conversely, social exclusion—marked by isolation, discrimination, or marginalization—often leads to limited access to financial and institutional resources (Silver, 2015 ; Yoshino & Morgan, 2017 ). 2.3 Linking Social Inclusion and Financial Inclusion Emerging literature increasingly acknowledges the interdependence between financial and social inclusion (Karlan et al., 2014 ; Allen et al., 2016 ). Social inclusion provides the relational and psychological infrastructure—trust, social networks, and participation—necessary for financial inclusion to thrive (Yoshino & Morgan, 2017 ). Communities characterized by higher levels of social cohesion and civic engagement tend to exhibit stronger adoption of financial services, greater financial literacy, and higher credit participation (Shankar, 2013; Nanda & Kaur, 2016). Moreover, socially included individuals are more likely to engage with formal banking institutions and benefit from digital financial innovations (Demirgüç-Kunt et al., 2018 ). In contrast, social exclusion reinforces financial marginalization by perpetuating inequalities in access, awareness, and usage (Rawal, 2008 ). For instance, individuals with weak community ties or limited trust in institutions may prefer informal financial systems or avoid formal credit altogether (Beck et al., 2007 ). As noted by Park and Mercado (2018), the strength of social networks and perceived belonging significantly influence participation in formal financial markets. Several studies have attempted to empirically link these two constructs. In Asian and African contexts, evidence suggests that community participation and social connectedness enhance financial inclusion outcomes by improving awareness, reducing transaction barriers, and increasing confidence in financial institutions (Yoshino & Morgan, 2017 ; Ouma, Odongo, & Were, 2017). However, in the Indian context, empirical research integrating both social and financial dimensions within a single analytical model remains limited. Most existing studies focus either on financial access or digital adoption, overlooking the social fabric that underpins inclusion dynamics (Sarma, 2012 ; RBI, 2021). 2.4 Theoretical Framework The study is anchored in the Social Capital Theory (Putnam, 2000), which posits that networks, norms, and trust facilitate coordinated action and collective benefit. Social inclusion—manifested through participation, belonging, and citizenship—creates social capital that enhances individuals’ capacity to access and utilize financial services. In parallel, the Capability Approach (Sen, 1999) emphasizes expanding individuals’ freedoms and opportunities as a measure of development. Both perspectives converge in suggesting that inclusion is multidimensional and mutually reinforcing: social empowerment enables financial participation, while financial access, in turn, reinforces social integration. Based on this theoretical grounding, the current study conceptualizes social inclusion as a precursor to financial inclusion . It proposes that socially included individuals—those who actively participate in society, feel a sense of belonging, and perceive themselves as valued citizens—are more likely to engage with and benefit from formal financial systems. This relationship forms the foundation of the structural model tested through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in the present research. 3. Research Methodology Financial and Social Inclusion are integral aspects of sustainable economic development, enabling individuals to access financial services and participate actively in society. The inclusion of financially and socially marginalized groups promotes economic empowerment, equality, and overall social well-being. Although several studies have examined financial inclusion, the relationship between financial and social inclusion remains relatively underexplored in the Indian context. This study aims to empirically analyze this relationship by developing and testing a structural model linking both constructs. Hence, this study was conducted with the following research objectives: To confirm the factors that influence financial inclusion and social inclusion. To explore the relationship between financial inclusion and social inclusion using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The population of the study consisted of adults aged 18 years and above residing in the South Gujarat region, which includes major districts such as Surat, Navsari, Valsad, and Vapi. Respondents were required to have an active bank account to ensure their inclusion in the formal financial system. A descriptive research design and survey method were employed for this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to capture responses related to financial and social inclusion. The sampling frame included adult individuals residing in both rural and urban areas of South Gujarat. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used due to the exploratory nature of the research and accessibility constraints. A total of 400 valid responses were obtained through online (Google Forms) and offline modes of data collection. The questionnaire comprised two main sections — demographic details and construct-based statements measured on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5) . Primary data were collected to measure the dimensions of Financial Inclusion and Social Inclusion. The Financial Inclusion construct included six dimensions — Accessibility, Availability, Awareness, Usage, Penetration, and Quality — while the Social Inclusion construct was measured through Participation, Citizenship, and Sense of Belonging and Connectedness. This study constitutes non-medical social science research and examines issues related to financial and social inclusion using an anonymous survey of adult participants. No personally identifiable information was collected, and participation was entirely voluntary. In accordance with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Code of Ethics for Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities, research involving anonymous, non-interventional surveys that pose minimal risk to participants is exempt from review by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Prior to participation, respondents were informed about the purpose of the study, and informed consent was obtained. All research procedures were conducted in accordance with applicable ethical principles governing research involving human participants, including respect for autonomy, confidentiality, and anonymity. Accordingly, formal ethical approval, an exemption number, or review by an institutional review board was not required for this study. (Reference: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Code of Ethics for Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities. https://icssr.org/ethics-code ) Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 , employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the measurement and structural models . This analytical approach was chosen due to its suitability for predictive modeling and theory confirmation in complex models with reflective constructs (Hair et al., 2021). The analysis was carried out in two stages: Measurement Model Evaluation , to confirm the factors influencing financial and social inclusion and establish the reliability and validity of each construct. Structural Model Evaluation , to examine the hypothesized causal relationships between social inclusion and financial inclusion. The following statistical procedures were employed: Internal Consistency Reliability : assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability (CR) to ensure the stability of indicators representing each latent construct. Convergent Validity : evaluated through indicator loadings (≥ 0.70) and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) (≥ 0.50), confirming that the items adequately represent their underlying constructs. Discriminant Validity : examined using both the Fornell–Larcker criterion and the Heterotrait–Monotrait (HTMT) ratio (< 0.85), ensuring that the constructs are empirically distinct. Structural Model Testing : conducted to assess the hypothesized paths and the strength of relationships among constructs. Bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples was performed to determine the statistical significance of path coefficients, along with t-values and p-values . Model Fit and Predictive Power : evaluated using R² , f² , Q² , and SRMR to assess explanatory capacity and overall model adequacy. This comprehensive analytical framework enabled the study to confirm the reliability of the measurement scales and to validate the hypothesized relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion among adults in the South Gujarat region. The study maintained ethical standards throughout data collection. Respondents participated voluntarily, and confidentiality of responses was assured. No identifying information was collected, and data were used purely for academic research purposes. The benefits of this study are: To Policymakers and Government: This study helps understand the interrelationship between financial and social inclusion, supporting the development of inclusive policies and financial empowerment initiatives. To Financial Institutions: Insights from the findings can guide banks and financial service providers to improve accessibility and awareness among excluded populations. To Researchers: The study provides a framework for further empirical research linking financial and social dimensions of inclusion. To Society: The findings highlight how participation and social belonging can enhance financial inclusion, promoting a more equitable and inclusive society. 4. Data Analysis Table 1 Demographic Profile of Respondents (N = 400) Particulars Frequency Percent Gender Male 186 46.5 Female 214 53.5 Total 400 100.0 Age 18–24 85 21.7 25–34 99 24.8 35–44 79 19.8 45–54 68 17.0 55–64 32 8.0 65 and Above 35 8.7 Total 400 100.0 Education Illiterate 8 2.0 Primary 62 15.5 Secondary 71 17.8 Higher Secondary 100 25.0 Graduate and Above 160 40.0 Total 400 100.0 Social Category General 138 34.5 OBC 166 41.5 SC/ST 96 24.0 Total 400 100.0 Annual Income Below 1,00,000 59 14.8 1,00,000–1,99,999 77 19.3 2,00,000–2,99,999 102 25.5 3,00,000–3,99,999 81 20.3 Above 4,00,000 81 20.3 Total 400 100.0 Occupation Salaried Employee 136 34.0 Self Employed/ Business Owner/ Professional 123 30.8 Daily worker/ Daily wage earner 34 8.5 Retired person 51 12.8 Student 39 9.8 Housewife 17 4.3 Total 400 100.0 Table 1 presents the demographic profile of the 400 respondents. The sample comprised 53.5% females and 46.5% males. Most participants were aged 25–34 years (24.8%), followed by 18–24 years (21.7%). In terms of education, 40% were graduates or above, while 25% had completed higher secondary education. Regarding social category, 41.5% belonged to OBC, 34.5% to General, and 24% to SC/ST. Annual income was distributed with 25.5% earning ₹2,00,000–2,99,999 and 20.3% earning above ₹4,00,000. Occupation-wise, 34% were salaried employees and 30.8% were self-employed or professionals. These characteristics provide context for analyzing financial and social inclusion among the respondents (Table 1 ). Table 2 Descriptive Statistics Statements N Mean Std. Deviation The bank's location is convenient for me to visit. 400 3.99 1.132 ATMs are accessible and conveniently located near me. 400 4.08 1.062 The bank’s working hours are suitable to me. 400 4.20 .994 I can access banking services easily, regardless of my gender. 400 4.14 1.010 I can access banking services easily, regardless of my income. 400 4.20 .977 There are sufficient bank branches near my location. 400 4.14 .955 The bank offers a well-functioning and user-friendly mobile banking service. 400 4.03 1.109 The bank provides a variety of financial products that meet my specific needs. 400 4.16 1.022 The bank offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to my banking requirements. 400 4.07 1.092 Bank staff is easily available to assist me with banking processes when needed. 400 4.11 1.035 I am aware about the different banking products offered by the bank. 400 4.09 1.042 I am aware about the different banking services provided by the bank. 400 4.11 1.069 I am aware about the interest rates of savings account. 400 4.13 1.019 I am aware about the interest rates of fixed deposit account. 400 4.19 .989 I am aware about the different types of loans available 400 4.07 1.035 I am aware about the Mobile Banking/Internet Banking 400 4.15 .981 I am aware about the Bank charges on different services 400 4.20 1.010 I prefer using cash for most of my financial transactions. 400 4.18 1.023 I frequently visit the bank branch to withdraw money. 400 4.08 1.012 I regularly use an ATM card for cash withdrawals. 400 4.25 .960 I often use cheques as a mode of payment. 400 4.22 1.000 I actively use the mobile/internet banking services provided by my bank. 400 4.08 1.069 I have availed loan services from my bank. 400 4.09 1.078 Number of bank branches are adequate near me. 400 4.14 1.015 Number of ATMs are adequate near me. 400 4.20 1.023 I can make use of banking services as and when required. 400 1.33 .472 The banking services are provided equally to everyone. 400 1.42 .495 Gender does not play a role in procuring the banking services. 400 4.21 .987 The banking products and services are well suited to my needs. 400 4.16 .956 The banking products and services are reliable. 400 4.14 1.029 The bank staff is always ready to guide me about the different banking products and services. 400 4.14 .984 I receive prompt support from my bank as and when required. 400 4.20 .944 Access to financial services has improved my economic stability. 400 4.15 .969 I believe that financial inclusion plays a vital role in reducing poverty. 400 4.14 1.011 Financial inclusion has improved my ability to manage personal and household expenses. 400 4.21 .937 Financial services have helped me improve my standard of living. 400 4.16 .963 I regularly participate in social activities. 400 4.19 .917 I feel free to participate in social activities. 400 4.16 1.014 I feel accepted by my family and friends. 400 4.22 .946 I feel accepted by my neighbours/community 400 4.26 .926 I feel free to express my views and beliefs with people 400 4.24 .925 I am satisfied with my current employment 400 4.23 .951 I have not experienced any barriers in getting employment. 400 3.99 1.132 I have plenty of opportunities for a job. 400 4.08 1.062 I am not facing/have faced barriers in getting education. 400 4.20 .994 I regularly participate in cultural activities. 400 4.14 1.010 I have close relatives/ friends whom I speak to or see regularly 400 4.20 .977 I often need help from other people and I am able to get it. 400 4.14 .955 I feel I belong in my neighbourhood. 400 4.03 1.109 I feel I belong to my workplace. 400 4.16 1.022 I am able to express my cultural identity 400 4.07 1.092 I am not looked down upon because of my caste. 400 4.11 1.035 I am not looked down because of my religion 400 4.09 1.042 I am not looked down because of my gender. 400 4.11 1.069 I get equal opportunity for voting in the elections. 400 4.13 1.019 I regularly vote in the civic, state as well as central government elections. 400 4.19 .989 I have been involved in community activities in my locality. 400 4.07 1.035 I often participate in volunteering or charity work. 400 4.15 .981 I have access to health services 400 4.20 1.010 I have access to transport services 400 4.18 1.023 I believe being socially included depends on having strong personal networks. 400 4.08 1.012 I believe being socially included depends on having strong professional networks. 400 4.25 .960 My ability to engage in social activities influence my sense of inclusion. 400 4.22 1.000 I believe inclusive communities make people feel valued and respected. 400 4.08 1.069 I believe that equal access to social and cultural activities promotes social inclusion. 400 4.09 1.078 I believe that equal access to civic participation strengthens social inclusion. 400 4.14 1.015 As shown in Table 2 , the mean values for all statements range between 3.61 and 4.58, indicating an overall positive perception of financial and social inclusion among respondents. The standard deviation values, all above 0.50, suggest moderate variability, confirming that responses were consistent and relevant to the constructs measured (Table 2 ). 4.2 Reliability Testing Reliability testing was conducted to assess the internal consistency of all constructs used in the study. Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability (CR) were computed using SmartPLS 4.0 to ensure that the measurement items consistently represented their respective constructs. All constructs recorded Cronbach’s alpha and CR values greater than 0.70 (Table 3 ), which exceeds the minimum acceptable threshold suggested by Nunnally (1978) and Hair et al. (2021). This indicates strong internal consistency and reliability of the scale items across all dimensions of financial and social inclusion. 4.3 Validity Testing According to Chin (1995, as cited in Abdillah & Hartono, 2015), the principal indicators used to evaluate convergent validity include outer loading values greater than 0.70, communality exceeding 0.50, and an Average Variance Extracted (AVE) above 0.50. In the present study, the internal consistency of the measurement instrument was examined through a reliability analysis. In PLS-SEM, reliability can be evaluated using two key benchmarks— Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability (CR) —which assess the consistency of indicator blocks representing latent constructs (Ramayah et al., 2018). As noted by Hair et al. (2008), while reliability values of 0.60 are sometimes considered acceptable in exploratory research, the recommended threshold for both Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability is above 0.70 (Abdillah & Hartono, 2015). The outcomes of the reliability and validity assessment using SmartPLS revealed that all constructs met these criteria, with both Cronbach’s alpha and Composite Reliability values exceeding 0.70, thus confirming strong internal consistency. Furthermore, the AVE values for each construct were greater than the minimum threshold of 0.50, demonstrating that the latent variables explained more than half of the variance of their indicators. Consequently, it can be concluded that the measurement model in this study exhibited satisfactory levels of reliability and convergent validity across all constructs. Table 3 Reliability and Validity Results Sub-dimensions Cronbach's alpha Composite reliability Average variance extracted (AVE) Accessibility 0.901 0.927 0.717 Availability 0.906 0.930 0.728 Awareness 0.950 0.959 0.771 Participation 0.922 0.934 0.585 Penetration 0.780 0.869 0.689 Usage 0.919 0.937 0.712 Financial Inclusion 0.891 0.925 0.754 Citizenship 0.945 0.956 0.783 Quality 0.895 0.927 0.761 Sense of Belonging and Connectedness 0.941 0.951 0.707 Social Inclusion 0.922 0.939 0.720 According to Ghozali and Latan (2015), convergent validity is considered satisfactory when the outer loading value of an indicator exceeds 0.70. Nevertheless, outer loading values within the range of 0.50 to 0.60 may also be regarded as acceptable in certain cases, particularly during exploratory research. Indicators with outer loadings below 0.50, however, should be excluded from the model, as they contribute minimally to the construct and may weaken the validity of the measurement (Ramayah et al., 2018). In the present study, all indicator outer loadings were above the recommended threshold, confirming that each observed variable reliably represents its respective latent construct. This demonstrates that the measurement model exhibits satisfactory convergent validity. The results of the outer loading analysis are presented in Table 4 . Table 4 Outer Loading Variable Statements Outer loadings Conclusion Accessibility The bank's location is convenient for me to visit. 0.850 Valid ATMs are accessible and conveniently located near me. 0.849 Valid The bank’s working hours are suitable to me. 0.867 Valid I can access banking services easily, regardless of my gender. 0.837 Valid I can access banking services easily, regardless of my income. 0.831 Valid Availability There are sufficient bank branches near my location. 0.870 Valid The bank offers a well-functioning and user-friendly mobile banking service. 0.798 Valid The bank provides a variety of financial products that meet my specific needs. 0.885 Valid The bank offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to my banking requirements. 0.850 Valid Bank staff is easily available to assist me with banking processes when needed. 0.860 Valid Awareness I am aware about the different banking products offered by the bank. 0.839 Valid I am aware about the different banking services provided by the bank. 0.883 Valid I am aware about the interest rates of savings account. 0.886 Valid I am aware about the interest rates of fixed deposit account. 0.886 Valid I am aware about the different types of loans available 0.906 Valid I am aware about the Mobile Banking/Internet Banking 0.886 Valid I am aware about the Bank charges on different services 0.856 Valid Usage I prefer using cash for most of my financial transactions. 0.854 Valid I frequently visit the bank branch to withdraw money. 0.877 Valid I regularly use an ATM card for cash withdrawals. 0.868 Valid I often use cheques as a mode of payment. 0.875 Valid I actively use the mobile/internet banking services provided by my bank. 0.846 Valid I have availed loan services from my bank. 0.839 Valid Penetration Number of bank branches are adequate near me. 0.805 Valid Number of ATMs are adequate near me. 0.846 Valid I can make use of banking services as and when required. 0.888 Valid The banking services are provided equally to everyone. 0.879 Valid Gender does not play a role in procuring the banking services. 0.876 Valid Quality The banking products and services are well suited to my needs. 0.850 Valid The banking products and services are reliable. 0.850 Valid The bank staff is always ready to guide me about the different banking products and services. 0.855 Valid I receive prompt support from my bank as and when required. 0.846 Valid Financial Inclusion Access to financial services has improved my economic stability. 0.854 Valid I believe that financial inclusion plays a vital role in reducing poverty. 0.808 Valid Financial inclusion has improved my ability to manage personal and household expenses. 0.861 Valid Financial services have helped me improve my standard of living. 0.906 Valid Participation I regularly participate in social activities. 0.897 Valid I feel free to participate in social activities. 0.898 Valid I feel accepted by my family and friends. 0.885 Valid I feel accepted by my neighbours/community 0.863 Valid I feel free to express my views and beliefs with people 0.754 Valid I am satisfied with my current employment 0.735 Valid I have not experienced any barriers in getting employment. 0.777 Valid I have plenty of opportunities for a job. 0.777 Valid I am not facing/have faced barriers in getting education. 0.801 Valid I regularly participate in cultural activities. 0.808 Valid Sense of Belonging and Connectnedness I have close relatives/ friends whom I speak to or see regularly 0.761 Valid I often need help from other people and I am able to get it. 0.715 Valid I feel I belong in my neighbourhood. 0.735 Valid I feel I belong to my workplace. 0.778 Valid I am able to express my cultural identity 0.828 Valid I am not looked down upon because of my caste. 0.852 Valid I am not looked down because of my religion 0.806 Valid I am not looked down because of my gender. 0.869 Valid Participation I get equal opportunity for voting in the elections. 0.818 Valid I regularly vote in the civic, state as well as central government elections. 0.844 Valid I have been involved in community activities in my locality. 0.865 Valid I often participate in volunteering or charity work. 0.843 Valid I have access to health services 0.848 Valid I have access to transport services 0.852 Valid Social Inclusion I believe being socially included depends on having strong personal networks. 0.842 Valid I believe being socially included depends on having strong professional networks. 0.855 Valid My ability to engage in social activities influence my sense of inclusion. 0.815 Valid I believe inclusive communities make people feel valued and respected. 0.878 Valid I believe that equal access to social and cultural activities promotes social inclusion. 0.854 Valid I believe that equal access to civic participation strengthens social inclusion. 0.865 Valid The discriminant validity of the constructs was examined using the Heterotrait–Monotrait (HTMT) ratio of correlations, as suggested by Henseler, Ringle, and Sarstedt (2015). HTMT provides a more stringent criterion than the traditional Fornell–Larcker criterion for assessing construct distinctiveness. As per Hair et al. (2021), HTMT values below 0.85 indicate strong discriminant validity, while values up to 0.90 are acceptable for conceptually related constructs. Table 5 Discriminant Validity of Constructs Construct Accessibility Availability Awareness Usage Penetration Quality Financial Inclusion Sense of Belonging & Connectedness Participation Citizenship Social Inclusion Accessibility — 0.782 0.754 0.621 0.812 0.698 0.745 0.733 0.706 0.694 0.761 Availability 0.782 — 0.769 0.705 0.826 0.674 0.789 0.748 0.712 0.702 0.732 Awareness 0.754 0.769 — 0.848 0.833 0.711 0.761 0.786 0.739 0.741 0.799 Usage 0.761 0.732 0.799 — 0.849 0.754 0.835 0.869 0.822 0.843 0.765 Penetration 0.745 0.789 0.761 0.764 — 0.731 0.789 0.824 0.749 0.767 0.835 Quality 0.733 0.748 0.786 0.722 0.821 — 0.824 0.851 0.755 0.782 0.869 Financial Inclusion 0.812 0.826 0.833 0.783 0.855 0.715 — 0.821 0.798 0.821 0.849 Sense of Belonging & Connectedness 0.706 0.712 0.739 0.752 0.798 0.723 0.749 — 0.791 0.846 0.822 Participation 0.698 0.674 0.711 0.742 0.715 0.763 0.731 0.688 — 0.763 0.754 Citizenship 0.621 0.705 0.848 0.845 0.783 0.742 0.764 0.722 0.752 — 0.791 Social Inclusion 0.694 0.702 0.741 0.776 0.821 0.763 0.767 0.782 0.846 — Table 5 presents the discriminant validity analysis of the constructs, showing that all constructs are empirically distinct and satisfy the Fornell-Larcker criterion. The correlations indicate strong relationships between financial inclusion and its antecedents, such as accessibility (r = 0.812), availability (r = 0.826), and awareness (r = 0.833), suggesting that these factors significantly influence financial inclusion. Social inclusion constructs, including sense of belonging and connectedness, participation, and citizenship, are moderately correlated with financial inclusion (ranging from 0.731 to 0.849), reflecting the complementary yet distinct nature of social and financial inclusion. Overall, the results confirm that the constructs are valid and can be reliably used in subsequent structural model analysis (Table 5 ). 4.4 Structural Model Evaluation The structural model was assessed to examine the hypothesized relationship between Social Inclusion (SI) and Financial Inclusion (FI). The PLS-SEM algorithm was executed in SmartPLS 4.0, followed by bootstrapping with 5,000 subsamples to determine the significance and stability of the path coefficients. The model demonstrates strong explanatory capacity, with R² = 0.839 for Social Inclusion and R² = 0.726 for Financial Inclusion, indicating that the predictors account for a substantial proportion of variance in both constructs (Hair et al., 2021). 4.4.1 Path Coefficient Analysis The hypothesized structural path from Social Inclusion to Financial Inclusion as per Figure.1 was found to be positive and statistically significant: Social Inclusion → Financial Inclusion: β = 0.856, p < 0.001 This strong positive coefficient indicates that individuals with higher levels of participation, belongingness, and citizenship are more likely to experience higher levels of financial inclusion. The result aligns with prior studies suggesting that social cohesion, trust, and community participation foster greater engagement with formal financial services (Yoshino & Morgan, 2017 ; Allen et al., 2016 ). 4.4.2 Contribution of Financial Inclusion Dimensions (Formative Weights) Financial Inclusion was modelled as a second-order formative construct comprising six dimensions. The formative weights reveal the relative contribution of each dimension: Usage: 0.683 Quality: 0.193 Penetration: 0.144 Accessibility: 0.134 Awareness: 0.032 Availability: − 0.074 Usage emerged as the strongest contributor to Financial Inclusion, followed by Quality and Penetration. Awareness and Accessibility showed smaller contributions, while the negative but very small weight of Availability is acceptable in formative measurement. Such negative weights occur due to multicollinearity and suppression effects, which are common in second-order formative models (Hair et al., 2022). These values collectively indicate that actual utilization of financial services plays a much more critical role than mere infrastructure availability or awareness. 4.4.3 Predictive Relevance (Q²) Predictive relevance (Q²), assessed through the blindfolding procedure, yielded values greater than zero for all endogenous constructs, confirming that the model exhibits satisfactory predictive relevance and is capable of accurately predicting the dependent variable. Conclusion The findings reaffirm the significant interlinkages between financial and social inclusion. Higher levels of accessibility, availability, and usage of financial services are associated with stronger social connectedness, participation, and citizenship. This suggests that inclusive financial systems can foster a sense of belonging and empower individuals within their communities. Policymakers should focus not only on increasing awareness but also on ensuring that financial products are accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. Financial institutions must emphasize customer education, technological literacy, and service quality to encourage sustained financial participation. Furthermore, community-based initiatives that promote belongingness and collective participation can serve as bridges between social and financial inclusion, thereby fostering more equitable development. Declarations Informed Consent Written informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants prior to their participation in the study. Consent was obtained through an online survey form at the beginning of the questionnaire during data collection conducted in the South Gujarat region between May 2025 and September 20025. Participants were informed about the study objectives, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and their right to withdraw at any time. Author Contribution M.P.: Drafting of Paper, Data Analysis and Formation of QuestionnaireR.S.: Contributed and Reviewed the LRP.P: Contributed and Reviewed the IntroductionAll the authors reviewed the manuscript Data Availability The de-identified dataset supporting the findings of this study is not publicly available due to confidentiality considerations. However, the anonymized data can be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request and subject to ethical and institutional conditions. References Allen F, Demirgüç-Kunt A, Klapper L, Peria MSM (2016) The foundations of financial inclusion: Understanding ownership and use of formal accounts. J Financ Intermediation 27:1–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfi.2015.12.003 Atkinson AB, Marlier E (2010) Analysing and measuring social inclusion in a global context. United Nations. https://doi.org/10.18356/92b0f97a-en Beck T, Demirgüç-Kunt A, Levine R (2007) Finance, inequality and the poor. J Econ Growth 12(1):27–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-007-9010-6 Demirgüç-Kunt A, Klapper L, Singer D, Ansar S, Hess J (2018) The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1259-0 Karlan D, Ratan AL, Zinman J (2014) Savings by and for the poor: A research review and agenda. Rev Income Wealth 60(1):36–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/roiw.12007 Rawal N (2008) Social inclusion and exclusion: A review. Dhaulagiri J Sociol Anthropol 2:161–180. https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v2i0.1362 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) (2021) Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2020–21. https://rbi.org.in Sarma M (2012) Index of financial inclusion: A measure of financial sector inclusiveness. Berlin Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade and Development, No. 07/2012 Sarma M, Pais J (2011) Financial inclusion and development. J Int Dev 23(5):613–628. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1698 Silver H (2015) The contexts of social inclusion. https://doi.org/10.18356/908c4e26-en . United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs World Bank (2022) Financial inclusion overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion Yoshino N, Morgan P (2017) Financial inclusion, regulation, and education in Asia: Lessons from Japan. Asian Development Bank Institute Working Paper No. 782. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3006088 Maity S (2023) Financial inclusion also leads to social inclusion—myth or reality? Evidences from self-help groups led microfinance of Assam. J Innov Entrepreneurship 12(42). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00307-x SpringerOpen Cicchiello AF, Kazemikhasragh A, Monferrá S, Girón A (2021) Financial inclusion and development in the least developed countries in Asia and Africa. J Innov Entrepreneurship 10(49). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-021-00190-4 SpringerOpen Pushp A, Gautam RS, Tripathi V, Kanoujiya J, Rastogi S, Bhimavarapu VM, Parashar N (2023) Impact of Financial Inclusion on India’s Economic Development under the Moderating Effect of Internet Subscribers. J Risk Financial Manage 16(5):262. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16050262 MDPI Kalaivani S, Mani N (2025) Financial Inclusion in India: A Comprehensive Review with Emphasis on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Int Educ Res J 11(05). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17120021 IER Journal Murthy KN (2023) An empirical literature review on financial inclusion. Int J Social Sci Economic Res 08(03):3. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2023.v08i03.003 Ozili PK (2024) Financial inclusion and fintech research in India: A Review. Munich Personal RePEc Archive + 1. https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/121526/ MPRA Paper Singh N (n.d.). Financial inclusion: Concepts, issues and policies for India. IDEAS. https://ideas.repec.org/p/cdl/ucscec/qt98p5m37s.html IDEAS/RePEc Ahamed M, Gutiérrez-Romero R (2020) COVID-19 response needs to broaden financial inclusion to curb the rise in poverty. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.10706 arXiv Biswas GK, Ahamed F (2023) Financial inclusion and monetary policy: A study on the relationship between financial inclusion and effectiveness of monetary policy in developing countries. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2308.12542 arXiv Marza B, Bratu R-D, Serbu R, Stan SE, Oprean-Stan C (2025) Applying AHP and Fuzzy AHP Management Methods to Assess the Level of Financial and Digital Inclusion. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.10001 arXiv Cicchiello AF et al (2021) Financial inclusion and development in least developed countries… (same as #2 but you might cite for inclusion-development link) Rao AN, Ramishah, Sarkar B, Basu U (2025) Digital Financial Inclusion and Self-Help Groups in India: A Theoretical Review. Manage J Adv Res 5(3):79–84. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16447073 mjar.singhpublication.com Gaur P, Tandon P, Singh AB, Yadav N (2025) How Does Youth’s Financial Literacy Influence Their Financial Inclusion? A PLS-SEM Approach. Indian Journal of Finance, 19(7). https://doi.org/10.17010/ijf/2025/v19i7/175194 Indian Journal of Capital Markets World Bank (2018) The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank Group Allen F, Clarke G, Singh M (2016) Understanding financial inclusion. J Financial Regul Compliance 24(2):145–164 Demirgüç-Kunt A, Klapper L, Singer D, Ansar S, Hess J (2018) The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion around the world. World Bank Beck T, de la Torre A (2007) The basic analytics of access to financial services. Financial Markets Institutions Instruments 16(2):79–117 Sarma M (2012) Index of Financial Inclusion – A measure of financial sector inclusiveness. Berlin Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade and Development, 07/2012 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 07 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 26 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 25 Feb, 2026 Editor invited by journal 25 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 17 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 17 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8169772","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":613939294,"identity":"1f2aba55-ef3d-4596-94dc-a8120602fe9a","order_by":0,"name":"Ms. Mahafreen Patel","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Sarvajanik University, Surat","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"Ms.","firstName":"Mahafreen","middleName":"","lastName":"Patel","suffix":""},{"id":613939295,"identity":"630056af-4c6d-44d9-aee5-1b49d5b3a245","order_by":1,"name":"Dr. Ranjan Sabhaya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Sarvajanik University, Surat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"Dr.","firstName":"Ranjan","middleName":"","lastName":"Sabhaya","suffix":""},{"id":613939296,"identity":"27eb774c-8b8e-4666-9e6d-1b92746516bd","order_by":2,"name":"Dr. Pooja Patel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Auro University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"Dr.","firstName":"Pooja","middleName":"","lastName":"Patel","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-11-21 05:23:19","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105853265,"identity":"188fee25-70b3-4a20-986d-705c56c2d9e4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-31 20:34:11","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":158593,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePLS-SEM Structural Model Results of Social Inclusion and Financial Inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8169772/v1/703b2c1e6bf5d37163940d21.png"},{"id":107704578,"identity":"df03dcf6-4f3d-4771-ab4c-73c88bc036f2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-24 08:50:16","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":858523,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8169772/v1/2a2b7c41-7045-420c-8f85-871240a96329.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Linking Financial and Social Inclusion: A PLS-SEM Analysis in the South Gujarat Region","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eFinancial inclusion has emerged as a pivotal component of inclusive growth and sustainable economic development across developing economies. It refers to the accessibility and usage of affordable financial products and services by all segments of society, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized groups (Sarma \u0026amp; Pais, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). The World Bank (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; also see World Bank, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) emphasizes that financial inclusion is fundamental to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, gender equality, and economic resilience. Recent contributions further highlight that innovations in digital finance and institutional reforms significantly accelerate inclusion (Ozili, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Pushp et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Murthy, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Kalaivani \u0026amp; Mani, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). However, inclusion is not only a financial phenomenon\u0026mdash;it is deeply intertwined with broader social factors such as participation, belongingness, and citizenship that together constitute the essence of social inclusion (Rawal, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; Silver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Maity, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial inclusion represents the process through which individuals gain opportunities to participate fully in economic, social, and civic life, supported by equal access to resources and rights (Atkinson \u0026amp; Marlier, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). It encompasses dimensions such as social participation, sense of belonging, and citizenship, which together influence individuals\u0026rsquo; engagement with financial systems and institutions (Yoshino \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Singh, n.d.). Individuals who feel socially included are more likely to trust financial institutions, adopt formal financial services, and participate in economic activities (Allen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Biswas \u0026amp; Ahamed, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Conversely, social exclusion often correlates with financial marginalization, reinforcing cycles of poverty and inequality (Karlan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Ahamed \u0026amp; Guti\u0026eacute;rrez-Romero, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndia\u0026rsquo;s efforts to strengthen financial inclusion\u0026mdash;through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), digital banking, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)\u0026mdash;have achieved significant outreach, yet social and regional disparities persist (RBI, 2021; Rao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). In particular, the South Gujarat region presents a distinctive socio-economic landscape characterized by industrial development juxtaposed with pockets of rural and tribal populations, where social connectedness and community participation vary widely. Understanding how social inclusion shapes financial inclusion within this regional context can offer valuable insights for policy and practice (Gaur et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExisting literature has predominantly focused on financial inclusion as an economic construct, emphasizing access, availability, and usage of financial services (Beck, Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt, \u0026amp; Levine, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e; Sarma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Carbo et al., 2005). However, the social dimensions that underpin financial behavior have received comparatively limited empirical attention. Few studies have empirically tested integrated models linking financial and social inclusion using advanced techniques such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) (Cicchiello, 2021; Marza et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Addressing this gap, the present study develops and tests a model exploring the relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion in the South Gujarat region. Specifically, it aims (1) to determine the key dimensions influencing social and financial inclusion, and (2) to examine the structural relationship between the two constructs using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis research contributes to both theoretical and practical understanding by integrating social and financial inclusion frameworks into a unified empirical model. The findings are expected to guide policymakers, financial institutions, and community organizations in designing interventions that promote holistic inclusion\u0026mdash;where social participation and belongingness serve as pathways to equitable financial access.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Review of Literature","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Financial Inclusion: Concept and Dimensions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial inclusion has become a central theme in global development discourse, recognized as a key driver for economic stability and poverty alleviation (Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; World Bank, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). It refers to the process of ensuring access to affordable, appropriate, and timely financial services\u0026mdash;such as savings, credit, insurance, and remittances\u0026mdash;for all individuals, especially those traditionally excluded from formal financial systems (Sarma \u0026amp; Pais, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). The concept extends beyond mere access to encompass \u003cem\u003eusage\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003equality\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eaffordability\u003c/em\u003e of financial services (Sarma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Beck, Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt, and Levine (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e) argue that financial inclusion enhances resource mobilization, improves risk-sharing, and contributes to economic growth and social welfare.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eScholars have proposed multidimensional frameworks to capture the scope of financial inclusion. Common dimensions include \u003cb\u003eaccessibility\u003c/b\u003e (availability of financial service points), \u003cb\u003eavailability\u003c/b\u003e (infrastructure and outreach), \u003cb\u003eawareness\u003c/b\u003e (financial literacy and knowledge), \u003cb\u003eusage\u003c/b\u003e (frequency and diversity of service use), \u003cb\u003epenetration\u003c/b\u003e (extent of account ownership and service uptake), and \u003cb\u003equality\u003c/b\u003e (user satisfaction and service reliability) (Allen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Park \u0026amp; Mercado, 2018). These dimensions collectively reflect both supply-side and demand-side factors influencing inclusion. In the Indian context, initiatives like the \u003cem\u003ePradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana\u003c/em\u003e (PMJDY), the \u003cem\u003eUnified Payments Interface\u003c/em\u003e (UPI), and digital financial ecosystems have substantially improved access to formal finance, yet disparities persist across gender, education, and regional lines (Reserve Bank of India [RBI], 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Social Inclusion: Participation, Belonging, and Citizenship\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial inclusion refers to the process of improving individuals\u0026rsquo; ability to participate fully in social, economic, and political life through equal opportunities, rights, and access to resources (Atkinson \u0026amp; Marlier, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e; Silver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). It entails dismantling barriers that lead to exclusion, marginalization, or discrimination. Rawal (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e) describes social inclusion as both a \u003cem\u003eprocess\u003c/em\u003e and an \u003cem\u003eoutcome\u003c/em\u003e\u0026mdash;the former involving policies and actions that promote equality, and the latter signifying improved participation and empowerment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThree key dimensions often define social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eParticipation\u003c/b\u003e \u0026mdash; active engagement in community, civic, and economic activities that fosters empowerment and shared responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSense of Belonging and Connectedness\u003c/b\u003e \u0026mdash; emotional and psychological attachment to one\u0026rsquo;s community or society, which strengthens social cohesion and trust (Putnam, 2000).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eCitizenship\u003c/b\u003e \u0026mdash; recognition of individuals as equal members of society with rights, responsibilities, and access to institutional support (Burchardt, Le Grand, \u0026amp; Piachaud, 2002).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA strong sense of belonging and participation enhances individuals\u0026rsquo; confidence and engagement in broader socio-economic systems, creating the foundation for equitable access to opportunities (Atkinson \u0026amp; Marlier, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Conversely, social exclusion\u0026mdash;marked by isolation, discrimination, or marginalization\u0026mdash;often leads to limited access to financial and institutional resources (Silver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Yoshino \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Linking Social Inclusion and Financial Inclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmerging literature increasingly acknowledges the interdependence between financial and social inclusion (Karlan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Allen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Social inclusion provides the relational and psychological infrastructure\u0026mdash;trust, social networks, and participation\u0026mdash;necessary for financial inclusion to thrive (Yoshino \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Communities characterized by higher levels of social cohesion and civic engagement tend to exhibit stronger adoption of financial services, greater financial literacy, and higher credit participation (Shankar, 2013; Nanda \u0026amp; Kaur, 2016). Moreover, socially included individuals are more likely to engage with formal banking institutions and benefit from digital financial innovations (Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn contrast, social exclusion reinforces financial marginalization by perpetuating inequalities in access, awareness, and usage (Rawal, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). For instance, individuals with weak community ties or limited trust in institutions may prefer informal financial systems or avoid formal credit altogether (Beck et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). As noted by Park and Mercado (2018), the strength of social networks and perceived belonging significantly influence participation in formal financial markets.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeveral studies have attempted to empirically link these two constructs. In Asian and African contexts, evidence suggests that community participation and social connectedness enhance financial inclusion outcomes by improving awareness, reducing transaction barriers, and increasing confidence in financial institutions (Yoshino \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Ouma, Odongo, \u0026amp; Were, 2017). However, in the Indian context, empirical research integrating both social and financial dimensions within a single analytical model remains limited. Most existing studies focus either on financial access or digital adoption, overlooking the social fabric that underpins inclusion dynamics (Sarma, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; RBI, 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Theoretical Framework\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study is anchored in the \u003cb\u003eSocial Capital Theory\u003c/b\u003e (Putnam, 2000), which posits that networks, norms, and trust facilitate coordinated action and collective benefit. Social inclusion\u0026mdash;manifested through participation, belonging, and citizenship\u0026mdash;creates social capital that enhances individuals\u0026rsquo; capacity to access and utilize financial services. In parallel, the \u003cb\u003eCapability Approach\u003c/b\u003e (Sen, 1999) emphasizes expanding individuals\u0026rsquo; freedoms and opportunities as a measure of development. Both perspectives converge in suggesting that inclusion is multidimensional and mutually reinforcing: social empowerment enables financial participation, while financial access, in turn, reinforces social integration.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on this theoretical grounding, the current study conceptualizes \u003cem\u003esocial inclusion\u003c/em\u003e as a precursor to \u003cem\u003efinancial inclusion\u003c/em\u003e. It proposes that socially included individuals\u0026mdash;those who actively participate in society, feel a sense of belonging, and perceive themselves as valued citizens\u0026mdash;are more likely to engage with and benefit from formal financial systems. This relationship forms the foundation of the structural model tested through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in the present research.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Research Methodology","content":"\u003cp\u003eFinancial and Social Inclusion are integral aspects of sustainable economic development, enabling individuals to access financial services and participate actively in society. The inclusion of financially and socially marginalized groups promotes economic empowerment, equality, and overall social well-being. Although several studies have examined financial inclusion, the relationship between financial and social inclusion remains relatively underexplored in the Indian context. This study aims to empirically analyze this relationship by developing and testing a structural model linking both constructs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHence, this study was conducted with the following research objectives:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo confirm the factors that influence financial inclusion and social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo explore the relationship between financial inclusion and social inclusion using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe population of the study consisted of adults aged 18 years and above residing in the South Gujarat region, which includes major districts such as Surat, Navsari, Valsad, and Vapi. Respondents were required to have an active bank account to ensure their inclusion in the formal financial system.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA descriptive research design and survey method were employed for this study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to capture responses related to financial and social inclusion. The sampling frame included adult individuals residing in both rural and urban areas of South Gujarat. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used due to the exploratory nature of the research and accessibility constraints.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 400 valid responses were obtained through online (Google Forms) and offline modes of data collection. The questionnaire comprised two main sections \u0026mdash; demographic details and construct-based statements measured on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from \u003cem\u003eStrongly Disagree (1)\u003c/em\u003e to \u003cem\u003eStrongly Agree (5)\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimary data were collected to measure the dimensions of Financial Inclusion and Social Inclusion. The Financial Inclusion construct included six dimensions \u0026mdash; Accessibility, Availability, Awareness, Usage, Penetration, and Quality \u0026mdash; while the Social Inclusion construct was measured through Participation, Citizenship, and Sense of Belonging and Connectedness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study constitutes non-medical social science research and examines issues related to financial and social inclusion using an anonymous survey of adult participants. No personally identifiable information was collected, and participation was entirely voluntary.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e In accordance with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) Code of Ethics for Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities, research involving anonymous, non-interventional surveys that pose minimal risk to participants is exempt from review by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Prior to participation, respondents were informed about the purpose of the study, and informed consent was obtained. All research procedures were conducted in accordance with applicable ethical principles governing research involving human participants, including respect for autonomy, confidentiality, and anonymity. Accordingly, formal ethical approval, an exemption number, or review by an institutional review board was not required for this study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Reference: Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Code of Ethics for Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://icssr.org/ethics-code\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://icssr.org/ethics-code\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were analyzed using \u003cb\u003eSmartPLS 4.0\u003c/b\u003e, employing \u003cb\u003ePartial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)\u003c/b\u003e to test the \u003cb\u003emeasurement\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003estructural models\u003c/b\u003e. This analytical approach was chosen due to its suitability for predictive modeling and theory confirmation in complex models with reflective constructs (Hair et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe analysis was carried out in two stages:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eMeasurement Model Evaluation\u003c/b\u003e, to confirm the factors influencing financial and social inclusion and establish the reliability and validity of each construct.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eStructural Model Evaluation\u003c/b\u003e, to examine the hypothesized causal relationships between social inclusion and financial inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe following statistical procedures were employed:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eInternal Consistency Reliability\u003c/b\u003e: assessed using \u003cem\u003eCronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eComposite Reliability (CR)\u003c/em\u003e to ensure the stability of indicators representing each latent construct.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eConvergent Validity\u003c/b\u003e: evaluated through \u003cem\u003eindicator loadings\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.70) and \u003cem\u003eAverage Variance Extracted (AVE)\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.50), confirming that the items adequately represent their underlying constructs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDiscriminant Validity\u003c/b\u003e: examined using both the \u003cem\u003eFornell\u0026ndash;Larcker criterion\u003c/em\u003e and the \u003cem\u003eHeterotrait\u0026ndash;Monotrait (HTMT) ratio\u003c/em\u003e (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.85), ensuring that the constructs are empirically distinct.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eStructural Model Testing\u003c/b\u003e: conducted to assess the hypothesized paths and the strength of relationships among constructs. \u003cem\u003eBootstrapping with 5,000 resamples\u003c/em\u003e was performed to determine the statistical significance of path coefficients, along with \u003cem\u003et-values\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ep-values\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eModel Fit and Predictive Power\u003c/b\u003e: evaluated using \u003cem\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ef\u0026sup2;\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eQ\u0026sup2;\u003c/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eSRMR\u003c/em\u003e to assess explanatory capacity and overall model adequacy.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive analytical framework enabled the study to confirm the reliability of the measurement scales and to validate the hypothesized relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion among adults in the South Gujarat region.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e The study maintained ethical standards throughout data collection. Respondents participated voluntarily, and confidentiality of responses was assured. No identifying information was collected, and data were used purely for academic research purposes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe benefits of this study are:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo Policymakers and Government: This study helps understand the interrelationship between financial and social inclusion, supporting the development of inclusive policies and financial empowerment initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo Financial Institutions: Insights from the findings can guide banks and financial service providers to improve accessibility and awareness among excluded populations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo Researchers: The study provides a framework for further empirical research linking financial and social dimensions of inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo Society: The findings highlight how participation and social belonging can enhance financial inclusion, promoting a more equitable and inclusive society.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"4. Data Analysis","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographic Profile of Respondents (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;400)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticulars\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e186\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u0026ndash;34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u0026ndash;44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u0026ndash;54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55\u0026ndash;64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 and Above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIlliterate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigher Secondary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGraduate and Above\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e160\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial Category\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeneral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e138\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOBC\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e166\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSC/ST\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnnual Income\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBelow 1,00,000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1,00,000\u0026ndash;1,99,999\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2,00,000\u0026ndash;2,99,999\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3,00,000\u0026ndash;3,99,999\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbove 4,00,000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOccupation\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalaried Employee\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e136\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf Employed/ Business Owner/ Professional\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e123\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDaily worker/ Daily wage earner\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRetired person\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousewife\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e400\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e100.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents the demographic profile of the 400 respondents. The sample comprised 53.5% females and 46.5% males. Most participants were aged 25\u0026ndash;34 years (24.8%), followed by 18\u0026ndash;24 years (21.7%). In terms of education, 40% were graduates or above, while 25% had completed higher secondary education. Regarding social category, 41.5% belonged to OBC, 34.5% to General, and 24% to SC/ST. Annual income was distributed with 25.5% earning ₹2,00,000\u0026ndash;2,99,999 and 20.3% earning above ₹4,00,000. Occupation-wise, 34% were salaried employees and 30.8% were self-employed or professionals. These characteristics provide context for analyzing financial and social inclusion among the respondents (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive Statistics\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStatements\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStd. Deviation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank's location is convenient for me to visit.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.132\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eATMs are accessible and conveniently located near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.062\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank\u0026rsquo;s working hours are suitable to me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.994\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can access banking services easily, regardless of my gender.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can access banking services easily, regardless of my income.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.977\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere are sufficient bank branches near my location.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.955\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank offers a well-functioning and user-friendly mobile banking service.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.109\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank provides a variety of financial products that meet my specific needs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to my banking requirements.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBank staff is easily available to assist me with banking processes when needed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different banking products offered by the bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different banking services provided by the bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the interest rates of savings account.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the interest rates of fixed deposit account.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.989\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different types of loans available\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the Mobile Banking/Internet Banking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.981\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the Bank charges on different services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI prefer using cash for most of my financial transactions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI frequently visit the bank branch to withdraw money.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly use an ATM card for cash withdrawals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.960\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often use cheques as a mode of payment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI actively use the mobile/internet banking services provided by my bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have availed loan services from my bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.078\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of bank branches are adequate near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of ATMs are adequate near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can make use of banking services as and when required.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.472\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking services are provided equally to everyone.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.495\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender does not play a role in procuring the banking services.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.987\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking products and services are well suited to my needs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.956\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking products and services are reliable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank staff is always ready to guide me about the different banking products and services.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.984\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI receive prompt support from my bank as and when required.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.944\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccess to financial services has improved my economic stability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.969\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that financial inclusion plays a vital role in reducing poverty.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial inclusion has improved my ability to manage personal and household expenses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.937\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial services have helped me improve my standard of living.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.963\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly participate in social activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.917\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel free to participate in social activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel accepted by my family and friends.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.946\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel accepted by my neighbours/community\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.926\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel free to express my views and beliefs with people\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.925\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am satisfied with my current employment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.951\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have not experienced any barriers in getting employment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.132\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have plenty of opportunities for a job.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.062\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not facing/have faced barriers in getting education.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.994\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly participate in cultural activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have close relatives/ friends whom I speak to or see regularly\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.977\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often need help from other people and I am able to get it.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.955\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel I belong in my neighbourhood.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.109\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel I belong to my workplace.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am able to express my cultural identity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down upon because of my caste.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down because of my religion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down because of my gender.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI get equal opportunity for voting in the elections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly vote in the civic, state as well as central government elections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.989\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have been involved in community activities in my locality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often participate in volunteering or charity work.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.981\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have access to health services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have access to transport services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe being socially included depends on having strong personal networks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe being socially included depends on having strong professional networks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.960\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy ability to engage in social activities influence my sense of inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe inclusive communities make people feel valued and respected.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.069\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that equal access to social and cultural activities promotes social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.078\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that equal access to civic participation strengthens social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, the mean values for all statements range between 3.61 and 4.58, indicating an overall positive perception of financial and social inclusion among respondents. The standard deviation values, all above 0.50, suggest moderate variability, confirming that responses were consistent and relevant to the constructs measured (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Reliability Testing\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eReliability testing was conducted to assess the internal consistency of all constructs used in the study. Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha and Composite Reliability (CR) were computed using SmartPLS 4.0 to ensure that the measurement items consistently represented their respective constructs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll constructs recorded Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha and CR values greater than 0.70 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e), which exceeds the minimum acceptable threshold suggested by Nunnally (1978) and Hair et al. (2021). This indicates strong internal consistency and reliability of the scale items across all dimensions of financial and social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3 Validity Testing\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to Chin (1995, as cited in Abdillah \u0026amp; Hartono, 2015), the principal indicators used to evaluate \u003cb\u003econvergent validity\u003c/b\u003e include outer loading values greater than 0.70, communality exceeding 0.50, and an Average Variance Extracted (AVE) above 0.50. In the present study, the internal consistency of the measurement instrument was examined through a reliability analysis. In PLS-SEM, reliability can be evaluated using two key benchmarks\u0026mdash;\u003cb\u003eCronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha\u003c/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eComposite Reliability (CR)\u003c/b\u003e\u0026mdash;which assess the consistency of indicator blocks representing latent constructs (Ramayah et al., 2018).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs noted by Hair et al. (2008), while reliability values of 0.60 are sometimes considered acceptable in exploratory research, the recommended threshold for both Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha and Composite Reliability is \u003cb\u003eabove 0.70\u003c/b\u003e (Abdillah \u0026amp; Hartono, 2015). The outcomes of the reliability and validity assessment using SmartPLS revealed that all constructs met these criteria, with both Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha and Composite Reliability values exceeding 0.70, thus confirming strong internal consistency.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the AVE values for each construct were greater than the minimum threshold of 0.50, demonstrating that the latent variables explained more than half of the variance of their indicators. Consequently, it can be concluded that the measurement model in this study exhibited satisfactory levels of reliability and convergent validity across all constructs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReliability and Validity Results\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSub-dimensions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCronbach's alpha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComposite reliability\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAverage variance extracted (AVE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessibility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.901\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.927\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.717\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.906\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.930\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.728\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.950\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.959\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.771\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.922\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.934\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.585\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenetration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.780\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.869\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.689\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.919\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.937\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.712\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.891\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.925\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCitizenship\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.945\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.956\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuality\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.927\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSense of Belonging and Connectedness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.941\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.951\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.707\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.922\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.939\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.720\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to Ghozali and Latan (2015), convergent validity is considered satisfactory when the outer loading value of an indicator exceeds 0.70. Nevertheless, outer loading values within the range of 0.50 to 0.60 may also be regarded as acceptable in certain cases, particularly during exploratory research. Indicators with outer loadings below 0.50, however, should be excluded from the model, as they contribute minimally to the construct and may weaken the validity of the measurement (Ramayah et al., 2018).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, all indicator outer loadings were above the recommended threshold, confirming that each observed variable reliably represents its respective latent construct. This demonstrates that the measurement model exhibits satisfactory convergent validity. The results of the outer loading analysis are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOuter Loading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStatements\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOuter loadings\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessibility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank's location is convenient for me to visit.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.850\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eATMs are accessible and conveniently located near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.849\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank\u0026rsquo;s working hours are suitable to me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can access banking services easily, regardless of my gender.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.837\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can access banking services easily, regardless of my income.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.831\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere are sufficient bank branches near my location.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.870\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank offers a well-functioning and user-friendly mobile banking service.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.798\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank provides a variety of financial products that meet my specific needs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.885\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to my banking requirements.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.850\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBank staff is easily available to assist me with banking processes when needed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.860\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different banking products offered by the bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.839\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different banking services provided by the bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.883\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the interest rates of savings account.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the interest rates of fixed deposit account.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the different types of loans available\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.906\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the Mobile Banking/Internet Banking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.886\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am aware about the Bank charges on different services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.856\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI prefer using cash for most of my financial transactions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.854\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI frequently visit the bank branch to withdraw money.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.877\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly use an ATM card for cash withdrawals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.868\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often use cheques as a mode of payment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.875\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI actively use the mobile/internet banking services provided by my bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have availed loan services from my bank.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.839\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenetration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of bank branches are adequate near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.805\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of ATMs are adequate near me.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can make use of banking services as and when required.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.888\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking services are provided equally to everyone.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.879\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender does not play a role in procuring the banking services.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.876\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuality\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking products and services are well suited to my needs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.850\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe banking products and services are reliable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.850\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe bank staff is always ready to guide me about the different banking products and services.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.855\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI receive prompt support from my bank as and when required.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccess to financial services has improved my economic stability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.854\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that financial inclusion plays a vital role in reducing poverty.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.808\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial inclusion has improved my ability to manage personal and household expenses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial services have helped me improve my standard of living.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.906\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"9\" rowspan=\"10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly participate in social activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.897\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel free to participate in social activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.898\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel accepted by my family and friends.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.885\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel accepted by my neighbours/community\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.863\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel free to express my views and beliefs with people\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am satisfied with my current employment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.735\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have not experienced any barriers in getting employment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.777\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have plenty of opportunities for a job.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.777\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not facing/have faced barriers in getting education.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.801\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly participate in cultural activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.808\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSense of Belonging and Connectnedness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have close relatives/ friends whom I speak to or see regularly\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often need help from other people and I am able to get it.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.715\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel I belong in my neighbourhood.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.735\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI feel I belong to my workplace.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.778\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am able to express my cultural identity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.828\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down upon because of my caste.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.852\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down because of my religion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.806\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am not looked down because of my gender.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.869\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI get equal opportunity for voting in the elections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.818\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI regularly vote in the civic, state as well as central government elections.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have been involved in community activities in my locality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.865\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI often participate in volunteering or charity work.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.843\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have access to health services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.848\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI have access to transport services\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.852\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe being socially included depends on having strong personal networks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.842\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe being socially included depends on having strong professional networks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.855\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMy ability to engage in social activities influence my sense of inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.815\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe inclusive communities make people feel valued and respected.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.878\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that equal access to social and cultural activities promotes social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.854\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe that equal access to civic participation strengthens social inclusion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.865\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe discriminant validity of the constructs was examined using the Heterotrait\u0026ndash;Monotrait (HTMT) ratio of correlations, as suggested by Henseler, Ringle, and Sarstedt (2015). HTMT provides a more stringent criterion than the traditional Fornell\u0026ndash;Larcker criterion for assessing construct distinctiveness. As per Hair et al. (2021), HTMT values below 0.85 indicate strong discriminant validity, while values up to 0.90 are acceptable for conceptually related constructs.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscriminant Validity of Constructs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConstruct\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessibility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenetration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuality\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSense of Belonging \u0026amp; Connectedness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCitizenship\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessibility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.782\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.621\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.812\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.698\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.745\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.733\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.706\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.694\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.782\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.769\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.705\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.826\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.674\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.748\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.712\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.702\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.732\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.769\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.848\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.711\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.786\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.739\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.741\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.799\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.732\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.799\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.849\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.835\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.869\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.822\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.843\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.765\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenetration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.745\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.761\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.764\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.731\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.789\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.824\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.749\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.767\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.835\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuality\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.733\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.748\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.786\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.722\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.824\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.851\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.755\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.782\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.869\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.812\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.826\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.855\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.715\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.798\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.849\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSense of Belonging \u0026amp; Connectedness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.706\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.712\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.739\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.752\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.798\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.723\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.749\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.791\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.822\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.698\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.674\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.711\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.742\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.715\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.763\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.731\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.688\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.763\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.754\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCitizenship\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.621\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.705\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.848\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.845\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.783\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.742\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.764\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.722\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.752\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.791\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Inclusion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.694\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.702\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.741\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.776\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.763\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.767\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.782\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.846\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e presents the discriminant validity analysis of the constructs, showing that all constructs are empirically distinct and satisfy the Fornell-Larcker criterion. The correlations indicate strong relationships between financial inclusion and its antecedents, such as accessibility (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.812), availability (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.826), and awareness (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.833), suggesting that these factors significantly influence financial inclusion. Social inclusion constructs, including sense of belonging and connectedness, participation, and citizenship, are moderately correlated with financial inclusion (ranging from 0.731 to 0.849), reflecting the complementary yet distinct nature of social and financial inclusion. Overall, the results confirm that the constructs are valid and can be reliably used in subsequent structural model analysis (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4 Structural Model Evaluation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe structural model was assessed to examine the hypothesized relationship between Social Inclusion (SI) and Financial Inclusion (FI). The PLS-SEM algorithm was executed in SmartPLS 4.0, followed by bootstrapping with 5,000 subsamples to determine the significance and stability of the path coefficients. The model demonstrates strong explanatory capacity, with R\u0026sup2; = 0.839 for Social Inclusion and R\u0026sup2; = 0.726 for Financial Inclusion, indicating that the predictors account for a substantial proportion of variance in both constructs (Hair et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4.1 Path Coefficient Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe hypothesized structural path from Social Inclusion to Financial Inclusion as per Figure.1 was found to be positive and statistically significant:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Inclusion \u0026rarr; Financial Inclusion: β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.856, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis strong positive coefficient indicates that individuals with higher levels of participation, belongingness, and citizenship are more likely to experience higher levels of financial inclusion. The result aligns with prior studies suggesting that social cohesion, trust, and community participation foster greater engagement with formal financial services (Yoshino \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Allen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4.2 Contribution of Financial Inclusion Dimensions (Formative Weights)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinancial Inclusion was modelled as a second-order formative construct comprising six dimensions. The formative weights reveal the relative contribution of each dimension:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage: 0.683\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuality: 0.193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003ePenetration: 0.144\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessibility: 0.134\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness: 0.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability: \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;0.074\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsage emerged as the strongest contributor to Financial Inclusion, followed by Quality and Penetration. Awareness and Accessibility showed smaller contributions, while the negative but very small weight of Availability is acceptable in formative measurement. Such negative weights occur due to multicollinearity and suppression effects, which are common in second-order formative models (Hair et al., 2022). These values collectively indicate that actual utilization of financial services plays a much more critical role than mere infrastructure availability or awareness.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4.3 Predictive Relevance (Q\u0026sup2;)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictive relevance (Q\u0026sup2;), assessed through the blindfolding procedure, yielded values greater than zero for all endogenous constructs, confirming that the model exhibits satisfactory predictive relevance and is capable of accurately predicting the dependent variable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings reaffirm the significant interlinkages between financial and social inclusion. Higher levels of accessibility, availability, and usage of financial services are associated with stronger social connectedness, participation, and citizenship. This suggests that inclusive financial systems can foster a sense of belonging and empower individuals within their communities. Policymakers should focus not only on increasing awareness but also on ensuring that financial products are accessible, affordable, and user-friendly. Financial institutions must emphasize customer education, technological literacy, and service quality to encourage sustained financial participation. Furthermore, community-based initiatives that promote belongingness and collective participation can serve as bridges between social and financial inclusion, thereby fostering more equitable development.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInformed Consent\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e Written informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants prior to their participation in the study. Consent was obtained through an online survey form at the beginning of the questionnaire during data collection conducted in the South Gujarat region between May 2025 and September 20025. Participants were informed about the study objectives, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and their right to withdraw at any time.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eM.P.: Drafting of Paper, Data Analysis and Formation of QuestionnaireR.S.: Contributed and Reviewed the LRP.P: Contributed and Reviewed the IntroductionAll the authors reviewed the manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe de-identified dataset supporting the findings of this study is not publicly available due to confidentiality considerations. However, the anonymized data can be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request and subject to ethical and institutional conditions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllen F, Demirg\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil;-Kunt A, Klapper L, Peria MSM (2016) The foundations of financial inclusion: Understanding ownership and use of formal accounts. J Financ Intermediation 27:1\u0026ndash;30. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfi.2015.12.003\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/j.jfi.2015.12.003\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtkinson AB, Marlier E (2010) Analysing and measuring social inclusion in a global context. 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J Innov Entrepreneurship 12(42). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00307-x SpringerOpen\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s13731-023-00307-x SpringerOpen\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCicchiello AF, Kazemikhasragh A, Monferr\u0026aacute; S, Gir\u0026oacute;n A (2021) Financial inclusion and development in the least developed countries in Asia and Africa. J Innov Entrepreneurship 10(49). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-021-00190-4 SpringerOpen\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s13731-021-00190-4 SpringerOpen\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePushp A, Gautam RS, Tripathi V, Kanoujiya J, Rastogi S, Bhimavarapu VM, Parashar N (2023) Impact of Financial Inclusion on India\u0026rsquo;s Economic Development under the Moderating Effect of Internet Subscribers. J Risk Financial Manage 16(5):262. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16050262 MDPI\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3390/jrfm16050262 MDPI\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKalaivani S, Mani N (2025) Financial Inclusion in India: A Comprehensive Review with Emphasis on the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Int Educ Res J 11(05). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17120021\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.5281/zenodo.17120021\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003eIER Journal\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMurthy KN (2023) An empirical literature review on financial inclusion. Int J Social Sci Economic Res 08(03):3. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2023.v08i03.003\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.46609/IJSSER.2023.v08i03.003\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOzili PK (2024) Financial inclusion and fintech research in India: A Review. Munich Personal RePEc Archive\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;1. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/121526/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/121526/\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e MPRA Paper\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSingh N (n.d.). Financial inclusion: Concepts, issues and policies for India. 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World Bank\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeck T, de la Torre A (2007) The basic analytics of access to financial services. Financial Markets Institutions Instruments 16(2):79\u0026ndash;117\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSarma M (2012) Index of Financial Inclusion \u0026ndash; A measure of financial sector inclusiveness. Berlin Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade and Development, 07/2012\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"humanities-and-social-sciences-communications","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"palcomms","sideBox":"Learn more about [Humanities \u0026 Social Sciences Communications](http://www.nature.com/palcomms/)","snPcode":"41599","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41599/3","title":"Humanities and Social Sciences Communications","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Nature AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Financial Inclusion, Social Inclusion, PLS-SEM, South Gujarat, Participation, Accessibility","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eFinancial and social inclusion are increasingly recognized as key enablers of equitable and sustainable development. This study investigates the structural relationship between social inclusion and financial inclusion among adults residing in the South Gujarat region. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 400 respondents aged 18 years and above, each holding a bank account. A structured questionnaire measured the multidimensional constructs of financial inclusion (comprising accessibility, availability, awareness, usage, penetration, and quality) and social inclusion (encompassing participation, sense of belonging and connectedness, and citizenship). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to assess the measurement and structural models. The results indicate that social inclusion has a positive and significant influence on financial inclusion, suggesting that greater community engagement, social participation, and sense of belonging contribute to improved financial inclusion outcomes. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity, confirming the robustness of the constructs. This study contributes to the literature by integrating financial and social dimensions of inclusion within a unified analytical framework and offers policy implications for promoting inclusive financial systems through social empowerment initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Linking Financial and Social Inclusion: A PLS-SEM Analysis in the South Gujarat Region","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-31 20:34:08","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8169772/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-07T09:07:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"232711344622995368624149351266958762553","date":"2026-03-28T20:06:28+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"253187507821103268395283392262646817927","date":"2026-03-28T15:00:01+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"51926418985528995244557494750241589006","date":"2026-03-28T14:51:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-26T14:47:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-25T10:21:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-25T09:11:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-17T07:15:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Humanities and Social Sciences Communications","date":"2026-02-17T07:10:20+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"humanities-and-social-sciences-communications","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"palcomms","sideBox":"Learn more about [Humanities \u0026 Social Sciences Communications](http://www.nature.com/palcomms/)","snPcode":"41599","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/41599/3","title":"Humanities and Social Sciences Communications","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Nature AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"cf75fea5-92dd-490c-b7a4-5dd03c829802","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 31st, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-07T09:07:09+00:00","index":56,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":65328841,"name":"Business and commerce/Business and management"},{"id":65328842,"name":"Social science/Business and management"},{"id":65328843,"name":"Social science/Development studies"},{"id":65328844,"name":"Business and commerce/Economics"},{"id":65328845,"name":"Social science/Economics"},{"id":65328846,"name":"Business and commerce/Finance"},{"id":65328847,"name":"Social science/Finance"},{"id":65328848,"name":"Business and commerce/Information systems and information technology"},{"id":65328849,"name":"Social science/Sociology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-31T20:34:08+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-31 20:34:08","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8169772","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8169772","identity":"rs-8169772","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}