Design products accessible to all, RBI governor tells fintechs

Fintechs in India have a clear mandate from the head of the country's central bank: design products that are accessible, inclusive, and tailored for underserved populations.

- Anshika Kayastha

Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai on Wednesday, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Sanjay Malhotra urged fintechs to ensure that no segment is left behind even as serving affluent customers remains lucrative.

"Design products and services that are easy to use, accessible for all, with assistive technologies, ensuring that vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, individuals with limited digital literacy and the specially abled are not left behind," Malhotra said.

He called on fintechs to bridge digital divides, foster competition, and innovate while thinking global but anchoring local. "Engage with international partners, share learnings, adopt global best practices and strengthen India's role in shaping the future of digital finance," he said.

Malhotra framed this as part of India's next phase of digital financial growth-moving beyond building access to universalizing services and deepening impact by using data responsibly.