India, Aug. 27 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JDY) has emerged as a cornerstone of India's financial inclusion journey since its launch in 2014. Over 12 years, it has expanded access to formal banking, credit, insurance, pensions and digital payments, particularly for underserved communities. PM-JDY accounts have grown from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09 crore as of 19th August 2026, with 32.92 crore female beneficiaries. Deposits have also risen consistently, reflecting deeper participation in the formal financial system. The scheme, India's national mission for financial inclusion, is translating financial access into greater security, opportunity and economic empowerment.
DID YOU KNOW?
Who is eligible to open the account?
Where can a PM-JDY account be opened, and can it be held jointly?
What documents are required to open the account?
What is the interest income on savings in the account?
What is a RuPay debit card and inbuilt accident insurance?
What overdraft facility is available?
What are the social security schemes offered under PM-JDY?
Accounts on the Rise
Female Beneficiaries Increase
Deposits Multiplying over the Years
RuPay Cards Continue to be Issued
India's Financial Inclusion Index has risen from 53.9 in 2018 to 67 in 2026, showcasing deeper access to credit, insurance, savings and digital payments.
In January 2015, Guinness World Records recognized the scale of the financial inclusion drive under PMJDY. "18,096,130 bank accounts were opened in a single week" as part of the campaign led by the Department of Financial Services, Government of India.
PMJDY has also gained international recognition for its contribution to financial inclusion in India. The IMF and World Bank have highlighted the scheme's role in expanding access to formal banking services and bringing more people into the formal financial system.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Driving India's Journey Towards Financial Inclusion
Financial inclusion is essential for broad-based economic growth and poverty reduction. Access to formal financial services helps people manage risks, invest in their future and build livelihoods. It also supports greater economic participation and reduces income inequalities. For women, access to finance strengthens financial independence and economic empowerment. The Government has therefore made financial inclusion a key priority through several targeted initiatives.
The PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PM-JDY), India's national mission for financial inclusion, was launched in 2014. As the scheme celebrates its 12th anniversary, it continues to bring more people into the formal financial system and ensure inclusive growth.
Breaking down PM-JDY: Access and Benefits
As the world's largest financial inclusion initiative, PM-JDY is redefining access to banking for millions of underprivileged citizens. The scheme initially focused on providing a bank account to "every household." In 2018, its focus expanded to ensure that "every unbanked adult" had access to a bank account, thereby widening the reach of financial inclusion. It provides basic banking services, need-based credit, remittances, insurance and pension to underserved and low-income groups.
Documents required for opening a PM-JDY account include:
The Jan Dhan Impact
Over the years, PMJDY has achieved several key milestones:
PM-JDY accounts have grown 4x over the last 12 years. Accounts rose from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09 crore as of 19th August 2026. Of these, 45.95 crore accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, while 13.14 crore are in urban and metropolitan areas.
This reflects the scheme's wide reach and significant progress in bringing underserved and unbanked populations into the formal banking system.
As on 19th August 2026, there are 32.92 crore female beneficiaries of PM-JDY accounts. This number has steadily risen over the years, highlighting the scheme's role in promoting gender equality in financial access.
PM-JDY deposits have surged ~20x, rising from Rs.15,670 crore in March 2015 to Rs.3,16,514 crore as of 19th August 2026.
This rise reflects growing saving habit among low-income households, increasing trust in formal banking, and deeper participation in the financial system.
As of 19th August 2026, 41.29 crore RuPay debit cards have been issued to PM-JDY account holders, reflecting a rise in digital transactions.
One Account, A World of Opportunities
PM-JDY has transformed financial inclusion from a policy objective into a lived reality for millions of Indians. It has expanded access to banking, strengthened financial security, and connected underserved citizens with credit, insurance, pensions and digital payments. Its impact extends beyond rising accounts and deposits, strengthening formal financial identities and fostering greater economic confidence among people.
References
Prime Minister's Office
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/major_initiatives/pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana/
Ministry of Finance
https://pmjdy.gov.in/files/E-Documents/PMJDY_BROCHURE_ENG.pdf
https://pmjdy.gov.in/guinness-world-record
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2161432®48&lang2
https://pmjdy.gov.in/scheme
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2101428®48&lang2
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2161432®48&lang2
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID1854909®3&lang1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID1952793®3&lang1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID2049231®3&lang1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2161432®48&lang2
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
https://www.myscheme.gov.in/hi/schemes/pmjdy
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
https://www.facebook.com/inbministry/videos/the-pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-has-empowered-people-giving-them-identity-rig/1942870073774934/
Directorate of Information and Public Relations
https://www.facebook.com/diprassam/posts/financial-inclusion-in-india-is-no-longer-about-opening-bank-accounts-alone-the-/1463797019114645/
Reserve Bank of India
https://www.rbi.org.in/FinancialEducation/content/English_16042021.PDF
Bank of Baroda
https://bankofbaroda.bank.in/accounts/pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana
State Bank of India
https://sbi.bank.in/hi/web/faq-s/faq-pradhan-mantri-jan-dhan-yojana-pmjdy
Union Bank of India
https://www.unionbankofindia.bank.in/hindi/details/pradhan-mantri-jandhan-yojana
https://www.unionbankofindia.bank.in/en/details/business-correspondent-bc-model
Indian Overseas Bank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?vVfGyhGJ-JmQ
Others
https://www.youtube.com/watch?vHplYaTTWY78
PIB Archives
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId155102&ModuleId3®3&lang2
Click here to see pdf
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
