Women, Inclusion Central to India's Fintech Future: Pres Murmu

By: WE Staff | Monday, 9 February 2026

• President calls for India's fintech journey defined by Inclusion, Gender Justice & Human Dignity
• More than 56% Jan-Dhan accounts held by Women
• The President urged Entrepreneurs to design Ethical, Citizen-Centric solutions to Strengthen Transparency

At the Black Swan Summit 2026 in Bhubaneswar, President Droupadi Murmu called for India’s fintech journey to be defined not just by innovation, but by inclusion, gender justice, and human dignity. Addressing policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, she underlined that financial technology has become a lifeline for millions of Indians, enabling direct benefit transfers, timely payments to farmers, and seamless digital transactions for small businesses.

Highlighting the impact of India’s digital public infrastructure, the President noted that over 570 million Jan-Dhan accounts have been opened in the past decade, with more than 56% held by women. She said this shift has empowered women by giving them direct access to welfare benefits through basic bank accounts and smartphones. However, Murmu stressed that true inclusion requires women to move beyond being end users to becoming leaders, professionals, founders, and decision-makers across the fintech value chain.

She also cautioned against the risks associated with rapid digitalization, including cyber fraud, misinformation, and deepfakes. Emphasising the importance of digital and financial literacy, particularly for women and rural citizens, Murmu urged that these skills be integrated into school curricula to build early awareness of both the benefits and risks of technology.

Calling for responsibility-led innovation, the President urged entrepreneurs to design ethical, citizen-centric solutions that strengthen transparency and give people greater control over their economic lives. On artificial intelligence, she highlighted initiatives such as the India AI Mission, which promotes the inclusive and ethical adoption of AI, while noting Odisha’s growing use of AI in governance, healthcare, agriculture, and public service delivery.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the Black Swan Summit reflects the state’s proactive approach to anticipating high-impact disruptions. He added that Odisha is positioning itself as an emerging hub for fintech, global capability centres, and advanced digital services through stable policies, competitive costs, and a skilled talent base.