The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched by prime minister Narendra Modi on 28th August 2014, now marks 11 years of transformative impact in India's financial landscape. As the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, PMJDY continues to redefine access to banking for millions of underserved citizens.

In a post on X, the PM said, “When the last mile is financially connected, the entire nation moves forward together. That is exactly what the PM Jan Dhan Yojana achieved. It enhanced dignity and gave people the power to script their own destiny."

On this occasion, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a message, said, “Financial inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and development. Universal access to bank accounts enables the poor and marginalised to participate fully in the formal economy and benefit from its opportunities.

“PMJDY has been one of the major channels for delivering benefits under various schemes using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), providing credit facilities, social security, and enhancing savings and investments,” she said.

“Over the last 11 years, more than 56 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, garnering a total deposit balance of Rs. 2.68 lakh crore. More than 38 crore free-of-cost RuPay cards have been issued, facilitating digital transactions. It is noteworthy that under PMJDY, 67% of the accounts are opened in rural or semi-urban areas, and 56% of the accounts are opened by women, indicating how underprivileged individuals living in far-flung areas of the country have been brought into the formal financial sector,” the finance minister said.

Expanding Financial Inclusion
The Ministry of Finance remains committed to supporting marginalised and economically disadvantaged sections through robust financial inclusion strategies. PMJDY ensures that every unbanked adult has access to a basic bank account—with zero balance requirements and no maintenance charges.

Each account comes with a free RuPay debit card, offering an accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh, encouraging digital transactions and financial security. Account holders are also eligible for an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, providing a safety net during emergencies.

Features of PMJDY accounts

    There is no restriction of balances or amount of transactions in a fully KYC compliant PMJDY accounts. It is a BSBD account. The following free of cost facilities provided to PMJDY account holders:
    The deposit of cash at bank branch as well as ATMs/CDMs.
    Receipt/credit of money through any electronic channel or by means of deposit /collection of cheques drawn by Central/State Government agencies and departments.
    No limit on number and value of deposits that can be made in a month.
    Minimum of four free withdrawals in a month, including ATM withdrawals at any ATM including Metro ATMs. Subsequent withdrawals may be charged by Banks.
    Free RuPay debit card with inbuilt accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh.

More than a decade of transformation
Over the past 11 years, PMJDY has catalyzed both transformational and directional change, strengthening the banking ecosystem to serve even the poorest and most remote citizens. It has become a cornerstone for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), enabling transparent, efficient, and corruption-free delivery of government subsidies and payments.

PMJDY accounts have also played a pivotal role in extending life and accident insurance to millions of workers in the unorganized sector, through schemes like Jan Suraksha Schemes- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

The JAM Trinity: A Game-Changer
The Jan-Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, with PMJDY at its core, has proven to be a diversion-proof mechanism for subsidy delivery. Through JAM, the government has successfully transferred welfare benefits directly into the bank accounts of the underprivileged, eliminating intermediaries and delays. During financial year 2024-25 a total of Rs. 6.9 lakh crore was credited to bank accounts under various DBT schemes.

Financial Inclusion schemes saturation campaign (01.07.2025 - 30.09.2025): Banks are organizing camps from 1st July, 2025 to 30th September, 2025 to update KYC details, open new accounts, and promote micro-insurance and pension schemes. Continued emphasis is being laid on educating account holders to maximize the use of banking services and prevent dormancy. Banks are also making efforts to reduce inoperative accounts under PMJDY by contacting account holders. Since the launch of the campaign on 1st July 2025, a total of 1,77,102 camps have been conducted across various districts to facilitate beneficiary enrolment under key schemes and promote financial literacy. 

Milestones and Achievements

    PMJDY Accounts: 56.16 crore (As on 13th August’25)

As on 13th August 2025, total number of PMJDY Accounts have reached 56.16 crore; 55.7% (31.31 crore) Jan-Dhan account holders are women and 66.7% (37.48 crore) Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas

    Deposits under PMJDY accounts – 2.68 Lakh Crore (As on 13th August’25)

Total deposit balances under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts have reached ₹2,67,756 crore. While the number of accounts has increased three-fold, the total deposits have grown by approximately 12 times. (Aug’25 / Aug’15)

    Average Deposit per PMJDY account – Rs 4768 (As on 13th August’25)

Average deposit per account is Rs.4,768 as on 13.08.2025. The average deposit per account has increased by 3.7 times compared to August 2015. Increase in average deposit is another indication of increased usage of accounts and inculcation of saving habit among account holders

    RuPay Card issued to PMJDY account holders: 38.68 crore (As on 13th August’25)

38.68 crore RuPay cards have been issued to PMJDY accountholders: Number of RuPay cards & their usage has increased over time.

With the issue of over 38.68 crore RuPay debit cards under PMJDY, installation of 1.11 crore PoS/mPoS machines and the introduction of mobile based payment systems like UPI, the total number of digital transactions have gone up from 2,338 crore in FY 2018-19 to 22,198 crore in FY 2024-25. The total number of UPI financial transactions have increased from 535 crore in FY 2018-19 to 18,587 crore in FY 2024-25. Similarly, total number of RuPay card transactions at PoS & e-commerce have increased from 67 crore in FY 2017-18 to 93.85 crore in FY 2024-25.

PMJDY’s success is driven by its mission-mode approach, regulatory backing, public-private partnerships, and the integration of digital public infrastructure like Aadhaar for biometric verification.

It has enabled savings and credit access for those previously excluded from formal finance. With visible saving patterns, account holders are also availing loans, including Mudra loans thereby empowering individuals to grow their incomes and build financial resilience.

As PMJDY enters its 12th year, it continues to be a beacon of inclusive growth, digital innovation, and economic empowerment. Its enduring success reflects India’s commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the journey towards financial independence.