Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship financial inclusion scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), has completed 12 years since its launch on August 28, 2014. The scheme has opened over 59 crore bank accounts with total deposits surging to Rs 3.17 lakh crore, the finance ministry confirmed. As of August 19, 2026, the average deposit per account stood at Rs 5,356, marking a 3.4-fold increase over the past 12 years.
Rural and Women Account Holders Lead Growth
About 78 percent of PMJDY accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, showing the scheme’s deep penetration into smaller towns and villages. Nearly 56 percent of accounts belong to women, reflecting the government’s focus on empowering female citizens through formal banking access. The finance ministry highlighted that these numbers prove the scheme is not just about opening accounts but also about promoting savings habits.
RuPay Cards and Insurance Cover
Under the scheme, eligible individuals can open a basic bank account without any minimum balance or maintenance charges. Account holders receive a RuPay debit card, and 41.29 crore RuPay cards have been issued so far. The card comes with an accident insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh for eligible account holders. Additionally, qualified account holders can access an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000 when needed.
JAM Trinity Boosts Direct Benefit Transfer
The Jan Dhan scheme is closely linked to the JAM trinity – Jan-Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile. This system has enabled direct transfer of government scheme benefits into beneficiary accounts. It has reduced the role of middlemen and prevented payment delays. PMJDY accounts have also helped expand the reach of social security schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
MUDRA Loans and Financial Inclusion
Account holders who maintain a regular savings record can access MUDRA loans and other credit opportunities. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary noted that the scheme’s success should not be measured only by account numbers. PMJDY has played a vital role in transforming India’s banking infrastructure and bringing financial services to the unbanked population.
