12 Years of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Governance · Friday, 28 August 2026
India’s National Mission for Financial Inclusion has reached over 59 crore accounts since its 2014 launch. The scheme has successfully bridged the gender gap with over 55% of accounts held by women.
Quick highlights
- Total accounts reached 59.09 crore by August 2026.
- Rural and semi-urban areas account for nearly 78% of the total accounts.
- Total deposits in PMJDY accounts exceed ₹3.17 lakh crore.
- Indigenous RuPay debit cards issued to over 41 crore holders.
- RBI Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) improved from 53.9 (2018) to 67.0 (2026).
Context
PMJDY has completed 12 years, transforming India's subsidy delivery architecture via the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity.
Key Features
Universal zero-balance accounts, RuPay cards with ₹2 lakh accidental cover, and an emergency overdraft (OD) facility up to ₹10,000. It serves as the onboarding rail for Jan Suraksha schemes and collateral-free MUDRA loans.
Challenges
Issues include account dormancy, low awareness of the overdraft facility, and cybersecurity risks for first-time rural users. Bank Mitras face connectivity and liquidity bottlenecks in remote areas.
Exam Angle
UPSC GS Paper II and III: Financial inclusion, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and inclusive growth. Prelims: Features of RuPay card, OD limit, and FI-Index components.
Remember this
- Launch Year: 2014.
- Zero Balance: Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts.
- Accidental Insurance: ₹2 lakh (for accounts after Aug 2018).
- Overdraft: Up to ₹10,000 per household.
- FI-Index: Managed by RBI.
- JAM Trinity: Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile.