About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a national financial inclusion programme launched by the Government of India on 28 August 2014. Its main objective is to provide affordable access to banking and financial services to people who do not have access to formal banking.
The scheme provides access to basic banking services, including savings accounts, remittance facilities, credit, insurance and pension services. Initially, the focus was on providing at least one bank account to every household. Since August 2018, the focus has shifted towards ensuring that every unbanked adult can access a bank account.
PMJDY also forms an important part of the Jan-Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity, which supports the direct transfer of government benefits and subsidies into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Insurance Benefits Under PMJDY
PMJDY itself is primarily a financial inclusion scheme, but eligible account holders can access insurance protection through the RuPay debit card issued with PMJDY accounts.
Accidental Insurance Cover
New PMJDY accounts opened after 28 August 2018 with an eligible RuPay card carry an accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakh, subject to the applicable terms and conditions. Earlier eligible accounts had an accident cover of ₹1 lakh.
PMJDY account holders can also use their accounts to enrol in other government social-security schemes, including:
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) – accident insurance
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) – life insurance
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY) – pension benefits
Thus, PMJDY provides a banking platform through which eligible individuals can access a wider range of financial protection and social-security schemes.
Key Features of PMJDY
1. Basic Bank Account
PMJDY enables an unbanked person to open a Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account through participating banks or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlets.
2. No Minimum Balance Requirement
PMJDY accounts do not require the account holder to maintain a minimum balance. Interest is also earned on deposits held in the account.
3. RuPay Debit Card
Eligible PMJDY account holders are provided a RuPay debit card, which can be used for banking and digital payment transactions. Eligible cards also provide the applicable accident insurance benefit.
4. Overdraft Facility
Eligible account holders can access an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, subject to the scheme’s eligibility conditions and applicable banking rules.
5. Direct Benefit Transfer
PMJDY accounts can receive Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), allowing eligible government benefits and subsidies to be credited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
6. Access to Other Financial Services
PMJDY accounts can be linked with various financial inclusion initiatives, including insurance, pension and credit schemes. This allows account holders to access several government-supported financial services through the formal banking system.
7. Banking Access in Rural Areas
Business Correspondents, commonly known as Bank Mitras, help extend banking services to people in areas where traditional bank branches may not be easily accessible.
8. Focus on Women and Rural Households
PMJDY has achieved significant coverage among women and people living in rural and semi-urban areas. As of 19 August 2026, the government reported 59.09 crore PMJDY accounts, with 55.7% held by women and 77.8% located in rural and semi-urban areas.
Recent Amendments & Developments
Shift from Household Coverage to Unbanked Adults
A significant development in PMJDY occurred in 2018, when the scheme’s focus shifted from opening at least one account per household to ensuring access to banking facilities for every unbanked adult.
Continued Expansion of PMJDY Accounts
PMJDY has continued to expand its reach. As of 19 August 2026, there were 59.09 crore PMJDY accounts, with total deposits of approximately ₹3.17 lakh crore. The number of RuPay cards issued to PMJDY account holders had reached 41.29 crore.
More recent Department of Financial Services data recorded 59.37 crore beneficiaries as of 23 September 2026, with deposits of about ₹3.18 lakh crore and 41.56 crore RuPay cards issued.
Greater Integration with Digital Financial Services
PMJDY continues to support digital payments and formal financial services through RuPay cards, banking infrastructure and the JAM framework. The government has also highlighted the role of PMJDY accounts in enabling direct and transparent delivery of welfare benefits.
Wider Access to Insurance and Pension Schemes
PMJDY continues to serve as an entry point for other social-security programmes. Eligible account holders can use their bank accounts to access schemes such as PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY, helping connect financial inclusion with insurance and pension coverage.
Conclusion
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a major financial inclusion initiative designed to bring unbanked people into the formal banking system. It provides access to basic bank accounts, RuPay debit cards, overdraft facilities, DBT and other financial services.
With continued growth in account numbers, deposits, RuPay card issuance and rural and women’s participation, PMJDY remains an important platform for expanding access to banking, insurance, pension and government welfare benefits across India.
