Jan Dhan Yojana Completes 11 Eventful Years
NEW DELHI – The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the Narendra Modi government’s flagship financial inclusion mission, has completed 11 years of operation, fundamentally reshaping economic participation for India’s most underprivileged communities.
Launched on 28th August 2014, the scheme is celebrated as one of the world’s most successful financial inclusion initiatives. It has successfully brought millions of unbanked individuals, particularly women and rural residents, into the formal banking system.
- Deposits under PMJDY accounts – 2.68 Lakh Crore (As on 13th August’25)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the scheme’s monumental success, stating, “Over the last 11 years, more than 56 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, garnering a total deposit balance of ₹2.68 lakh crore. It is noteworthy that 67% of accounts are in rural or semi-urban areas, and 56% are owned by women.”
Key Achievements & Impact:
Widespread Reach: With over 56.16 crore accounts opened, the scheme has achieved near saturation, ensuring almost every household has access to banking.
Women-Led Growth: A significant 55.7% (31.31 crore) of account holders are women, empowering them with direct financial control.
Rural Penetration: 66.7% of accounts (37.48 crore) are based in rural and semi-urban areas, bridging the urban-rural financial divide.
- Average Deposit per PMJDY account – Rs 4768 (As on 13th August’25)
Digital Push: The scheme has issued over 38.68 crore RuPay debit cards, providing free accident insurance cover and fuelling the digital payments revolution.
The scheme’s core features—zero-balance accounts, no maintenance charges, a free RuPay debit card with ₹2 lakh accident insurance, and an overdraft facility—have been pivotal in its widespread adoption.
Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, emphasised the scheme’s broader vision: “Jan Dhan Yojana is about dignity, empowerment, and opportunity. It serves as an important example of governance in mission mode.”
The JAM Trinity: A Corruption-Free Gateway
The integration of Jan Dhan accounts with Aadhaar and Mobile numbers—the JAM Trinity—has revolutionised welfare delivery in India. It has created a diversion-proof system for Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), ensuring government subsidies reach intended beneficiaries directly and transparently.
In the 2024-25 financial year alone, a staggering ₹6.9 lakh crore was credited directly to citizens’ bank accounts under various DBT schemes, eliminating leakages and middlemen.
The Road Ahead
To build on this success, a nationwide Financial Inclusion Schemes Saturation Campaign is currently underway until 30th September 2025. Banks are holding camps across the country’s 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats to open new accounts, update KYC details, and promote enrolment in micro-insurance and pension schemes.
As PMJDY steps into its 12th year, it stands as a testament to India’s commitment to inclusive growth, proving that financial empowerment is the cornerstone of dignity and economic resilience for all.
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