The government’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched exactly 11 years ago on August 28, 2014, has transformed India’s financial landscape by bringing millions of citizens into the formal banking system.
According to official data, the scheme has now crossed 561 million bank accounts with total deposits of Rs 2.68 lakh crore. In March 2015, deposits under Jan Dhan stood at just Rs 15,670 crore — a figure that has grown 170 times in a decade.
Empowering Rural India and Women
Nearly 67% of Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, while 56% are owned by women, highlighting the scheme’s impact in empowering households traditionally excluded from banking.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the programme has been a “game-changer for individuals in remote areas,” helping them access credit, insurance, and welfare schemes directly. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary described PMJDY as one of the world’s largest financial inclusion drives.
More Than Just Bank Accounts
Under PMJDY, individuals can open zero-balance Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA). Beneficiaries also receive RuPay debit cards with accident insurance of up to Rs 2 lakh, overdraft facilities of up to Rs 10,000, and access to small accounts even without formal identification.
The initiative has also become the backbone for India’s welfare delivery:
Enabled Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) under 327 government schemes
Supported mass enrolments in PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana
As of August 2025, over 387 million RuPay debit cards have been issued under the scheme.
Recent Push for Coverage
In July 2025, the Finance Ministry launched a three-month saturation campaign to further expand PMJDY. Within the first month alone, officials organized 99,753 camps, opening 6.6 lakh new accounts and enrolling 22.65 lakh beneficiaries into insurance and pension schemes.
A Foundation for the Future
From ensuring financial dignity for the poorest to enabling seamless government transfers, PMJDY is now seen as the cornerstone of India’s financial inclusion story. Eleven years on, the mission that began with the promise of “every household with a bank account” has evolved into a robust platform supporting India’s social and economic growth.
