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Lack of Financial Literacy in India has severe Consequences as per Lawyer Panel
Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that helps individuals manage their money wisely, make informed financial decisions, and avoid debt traps. However, in India, financial literacy remains significantly low, leading to widespread financial mismanagement and distress. The absence of structured financial education and awareness results in individuals and businesses making poor financial choices. Below are some key ways in which the lack of financial literacy affects people and leads to financial struggles.
Many small businesses in India operate without proper bookkeeping or financial records. Owners often do not maintain accounts, leading to cash flow mismanagement. Without a clear understanding of their profits, liabilities, and expenses, they tend to take on unnecessary debt, often without realizing the financial burden they are accumulating. This mismanagement eventually leads to financial crises, loan defaults, and business failures.
A major issue in India’s small business landscape is the lack of distinction between business and personal finances. Many small business owners use business funds for personal expenses and vice versa, leading to confusion in financial planning. In the absence of separate accounting, individuals often find themselves liable for business debts, which can put personal assets, such as homes and savings, at risk.
India's education system largely ignores financial literacy. Schools and colleges do not include personal finance education in their curricula, leaving students unprepared to manage their earnings, expenses, and investments when they enter the workforce. As a result, young professionals make costly mistakes, such as excessive credit card usage, unplanned loans, and risky investments, which lead to long-term financial problems.
A vast majority of people in India do not maintain emergency funds for unexpected financial hardships such as job loss, medical emergencies, or sudden family expenses. This lack of preparedness forces individuals to rely on high-interest loans or credit cards when faced with financial setbacks, pushing them into cycles of debt. Having an emergency fund can prevent unnecessary borrowing and provide financial security during crises.
Insurance plays a crucial role in financial planning, yet many Indians remain unaware of its importance. Many families do not have health insurance, life insurance, or home loan insurance, leaving them vulnerable to major financial setbacks in case of a medical emergency, untimely death, or property damage. Without insurance, individuals have to rely on loans or savings, leading to financial instability and long-term debt.
When people find themselves struggling with unmanageable debt, they often do not know where to seek help. Many individuals in India are unaware of legal debt resolution options such as loan restructuring, settlement, or mediation. Instead, they face harassment from aggressive recovery agents and end up taking more loans to repay previous ones, worsening their financial situation. If more people knew about structured debt relief programs and legal protections, they could handle debt-related challenges more effectively.
- Stopping Harassment by Recovery Agents: Many individuals face unethical recovery tactics from lenders. Lawyer Panel ensures that all debt recovery processes comply with legal norms, protecting individuals from harassment and intimidation.
- Negotiation with Lenders: Lawyer Panel works with banks and financial institutions to negotiate better repayment terms, lower interest rates, and reduce penalties to make repayment more manageable.
- Mediation and Arbitration: Instead of lengthy and expensive court battles, Lawyer Panel helps resolve debt disputes through mediation and arbitration, ensuring quicker and less stressful resolutions.
- Financial Awareness and Counseling: In addition to resolving debts, Lawyer Panel educates individuals on better financial management practices to prevent them from falling into debt cycles again.