A STUDY ON DIGITAL PAYMENT USAGE AMONG THE STUDENT COMMUNITY IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI CITY OF TAMIL NADU

Digital payment, also called as electronic payment, is the transfer of money from one payment account to another using a digital device such as a mobile phone or a computer. In an increasingly cashless society, digital payments are the new norm, and they take place every single day all around the world. There are multiple benefits that digital payments bring to the table. Transactions performed through digital payment systems are faster, easier, and more convenient than carrying cash in hand or performing the banking transactions by visiting the branch physically. This means that more and more people feel comfortable transferring funds via electronic mediums, buying products online and investing digitally. Digital payment plays better role not only among the working-class people but also among younger generation. The method of digital transaction is used majorly by the younger generation, specifically the student community as they have better knowledge and access to digital devices. Therefore, this study attempted to examine the usage pattern of digital payment methods among the student community in Tiruchirappalli city of Tamil Nadu. The study focused on the socio-economic conditions of the respondents in relation to their awareness, frequency, and purpose of using digital payment methods for transactions. For this purpose, the researchers have collected primary data and has used statistical tools like percentage, growth rate and crosstabulation to analyze the data. The study found that male respondents used digital transactions more frequently than female respondents and also those in higher income group used the digital transaction method more frequently than those in lower income group.