New Delhi: PM Jan Dhan Yojana completed 12 years on August 28, with 59.09 crore accounts holding ₹3.17 lakh crore in deposits.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme on August 28, 2014. Since then, PMJDY has expanded access to formal banking for millions of Indians.
As of August 19, 2026, women held 55.7% of the accounts. Rural and semi-urban areas accounted for 77.8% of all PMJDY accounts.
The scheme gives unbanked adults access to basic bank accounts without minimum balance requirements. It also provides free RuPay debit cards with accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh.
Account holders can also access overdraft facilities of up to ₹10,000. In addition, PMJDY accounts help connect people with life and accident insurance through the Jan Suraksha schemes.
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said the scheme had changed India’s banking and financial landscape. He also highlighted direct access to financial services for poorer sections without middlemen.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana expands digital and welfare access
PM Jan Dhan Yojana has also strengthened the Jan-Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity. The system enables direct transfers of welfare benefits into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
As a result, JAM helps reduce delays and limits the role of intermediaries in welfare payments. It has become an important tool for direct delivery of government assistance.
The scheme’s account base has grown 2.3 times over the past 12 years. Meanwhile, deposits have increased about 12.8 times between August 2015 and August 2026.
The average deposit per account stood at ₹5,356 as of August 19, 2026. This figure has increased 3.4 times over the same 12-year period.
The rise in deposits also points to greater account use and stronger saving habits among account holders. At the same time, 41.29 crore RuPay cards had been issued to PMJDY customers.
The government said PMJDY’s progress reflects its mission-mode approach and regulatory support. Public-private partnerships and digital infrastructure have also supported the scheme.
Aadhaar-based biometric verification has helped strengthen access to financial services. Furthermore, account ownership can provide a pathway to savings, insurance, pensions and credit.
Eligible account holders can also access loans, including MUDRA loans. Such access can help individuals increase incomes and build greater financial resilience.
Pankaj Chaudhary also praised bankers and business correspondents across the country. He credited their outreach efforts with taking the scheme to people across states and districts.
The government said PMJDY has helped move India towards wider access to bank accounts. It has also expanded the reach of insurance and pension schemes among underserved communities.
As the scheme enters its 13th year, the government said it will continue to support inclusive growth and digital innovation. The focus remains on ensuring that citizens can access formal financial services.
