The Behavioral Dynamics of Retail Investment and Intraday Trading Strategies in India: A Secondary Data Analysis of Financial Literacy and Digital Adoption (2014–2024)
Vishnu V
This study examines how retail investment and intraday trading behavior in India evolved between 2014 and 2024 amid rapid digitalization and major policy shifts. Using secondary data and bibliometric analysis, it identifies how initiatives such as PMJDY, UPI adoption, demonetization, and the COVID-19 pandemic expanded market access but created an “Access–Ability Paradox,” where digital participation grew faster than financial literacy. The findings show that retail trading strategies are increasingly shaped by behavioral factors—overconfidence, financial attitude, social influence, and herd behavior—rather than technical knowledge. The rise of fintech platforms further encouraged speculative intraday activity through ease of use and gamified interfaces. The study concludes that improving digital financial literacy, cyber hygiene, and resilience-focused education is essential for sustainable participation in India’s rapidly evolving retail trading ecosystem.