The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the Centre’s flagship financial inclusion scheme, has completed 11 years since its launch in 2014, emerging as the world’s largest initiative of its kind. Launched
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme has helped bring over 56 crore Indians into the formal banking system, with deposit balances touching Rs 2.68 lakh crore.
“When the last mile is financially connected, the entire nation moves forward together. That is exactly what the PM Jan Dhan Yojana achieved. It enhanced dignity and gave people the power to script their own destiny. #11YearsOfJanDhan,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X on Thursday.
When the last mile is financially connected, the entire nation moves forward together. That is exactly what the PM Jan Dhan Yojana achieved. It enhanced dignity and gave people the power to script their own destiny.#11YearsOfJanDhan https://t.co/piAYJJOXOj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2025
PMJDY Impact and Reach
On PMJDY, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that more than 67% of Jan Dhan accounts have been opened in rural and semi-urban areas, while 56% are owned by women. “Financial inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and development. Universal access to bank accounts enables the poor and marginalised to participate fully in the formal economy and benefit from its opportunities,” she said.
The minister added that over 38 crore RuPay debit cards have been issued free of cost, boosting digital transactions. “PMJDY has been one of the major channels for delivering benefits under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), providing credit facilities, social security, and enhancing savings and investments,” Sitharaman said.
‘A Game-Changer in Financial Inclusion’
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that PMJDY is “one of the most successful financial inclusion initiatives not only in the country but in the whole world”. He said the scheme is about “dignity, empowerment and opportunity”.
Chaudhary highlighted that the ongoing financial inclusion saturation campaign — covering 2.7 lakh gram panchayats — is enabling eligible citizens to open new accounts, enrol under insurance and pension schemes, and update their KYC details. The drive, which began on July 1, will culminate on September 30.
JAM Trinity and DBT
At the core of PMJDY lies the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, which has become a diversion-proof mechanism for subsidy delivery. During FY 2024-25, about Rs 6.9 lakh crore was transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts under DBT schemes, the finance ministry said in its statement.
Growth Over the Years
- Accounts opened: 56.16 crore (as on August 13, 2025)
- Deposits: Rs 2.68 lakh crore, up nearly 12x since 2015
- Average deposit per account: Rs 4,768, up 3.7x since 2015
- RuPay cards issued: 38.68 crore
The scheme has also contributed to a sharp rise in digital transactions. UPI financial transactions surged from 535 crore in FY19 to 18,587 crore in FY25, while total digital transactions grew nearly 10-fold in the same period.
Empowering the Underserved
PMJDY account holders benefit from a zero-balance account, free RuPay debit card with Rs 2 lakh accident insurance, and an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000. The accounts also serve as a gateway to other social security schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Looking Ahead
As PMJDY enters its 12th year, the Finance Ministry said the scheme will continue to drive financial empowerment, savings mobilisation, and access to credit, while strengthening India’s digital financial ecosystem.
