Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana: Scheme Introduction

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the Government of India's National Mission for Financial Inclusion, launched on 28 August 2014 to ensure that people who do not have access to formal banking can become part of the banking system. The scheme provides a simple way for eligible unbanked people to open a basic bank account and access essential financial services without the burden of maintaining a minimum balance.

Under PMJDY, an eligible person can open a Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account through a bank branch or Bank Mitra/Business Correspondent. The account can be used for regular banking services such as depositing and withdrawing money, while deposits earn interest according to the applicable banking rules. The account can also be used to receive eligible Government payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The account comes with additional banking facilities, including a RuPay debit card. Eligible account holders can also get an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, subject to the prescribed conditions. In addition, the RuPay card carries an applicable accident insurance cover. For new PMJDY accounts opened after 28 August 2018, the accident insurance cover was enhanced to ₹2 lakh, subject to the conditions of the applicable insurance programme.

PMJDY is therefore more than just a bank-account opening programme. It creates access to formal banking and helps account holders connect with services such as DBT, insurance and pension products. Eligible account holders can also enrol in schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY), subject to the separate eligibility and enrolment conditions of these schemes.

The scheme is still operational in 2026. According to the latest data published on the official PMJDY portal as of 12 August 2026, there were 59.04 crore PMJDY beneficiaries/accounts, with deposits of ₹3,15,179.90 crore. The same data recorded 41.24 crore RuPay debit cards and 32.89 crore female beneficiaries.

Scheme Benefits

• Basic Bank Account: Eligible unbanked people can open a Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account under PMJDY and use it for deposits, withdrawals and other permitted banking services.
• Zero-balance bank account: There is no minimum balance requirement, so you can open and maintain a PMJDY account without making any initial deposit.
• RuPay Debit Card: Eligible account holders are provided a RuPay debit card for permitted banking transactions and services, according to the terms and conditions of the issuing bank.
• Accident Insurance Cover: The RuPay card carries an applicable accident insurance cover. For new PMJDY accounts opened after 28 August 2018, the cover was enhanced to ₹2 lakh, subject to the applicable insurance conditions. This is insurance coverage and not ₹2 lakh cash assistance.
• Overdraft Facility up to ₹10,000: Eligible account holders can get an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, subject to the applicable conditions. An overdraft allows an eligible account holder to access additional funds from the bank when the account balance is insufficient. It is a credit facility and not free Government money.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Eligible Government payments can be received directly in the PMJDY account through DBT. However, having a Jan-Dhan account does not automatically make a person eligible for a Government scheme; the eligibility conditions of the concerned scheme must be fulfilled separately.
• Access to Other Financial Services: Eligible account holders can access financial products and schemes such as PMJJBY, PMSBY, Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and MUDRA-related financial services, subject to the separate eligibility, enrolment and other conditions applicable to each scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant should be an unbanked person seeking access to basic banking services.
• The applicant must satisfy the applicable requirements for opening a PMJDY BSBD account.
• The applicant must complete the bank's applicable KYC process.
• The applicant must provide the documents required by the bank.

Important Note: The applicant should not already have another bank account for opening a PMJDY BSBD account, as the official scheme description specifies the facility for persons who do not have another account.

Required Documents

The bank will verify your identity and address through the applicable KYC process. Keep the following documents ready while visiting the bank or Bank Mitra.

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID Card
• Driving Licence
• PAN Card
• MNREGA Job Card
• Other officially accepted identity or address documents

Steps to Apply

If you want to open a Jan-Dhan account, visit a bank branch or authorised Bank Mitra/Business Correspondent that provides PMJDY account-opening services and follow these steps:

1. Visit a bank branch or authorised Business Correspondent/Bank Mitra that provides PMJDY account-opening services.
2. Request the PMJDY/Basic Savings Bank Deposit account-opening form.
3. Enter your personal details, address and other information requested in the form.
4. Provide the required identity, address and other documents as applicable.
5. The bank will verify the information and documents provided by you.
6. Once the applicable requirements are completed, the bank will open the account according to its procedures.
7. After the account is opened, keep your account number, passbook and other banking details secure.
8. Once available, you can use the account and applicable facilities such as the RuPay card and DBT services.

The official PMJDY portal provides the account-opening form in both Hindi and English.

Important Points

• PMJDY is primarily a financial-inclusion and banking-access scheme.
• The account does not require a minimum balance.
• Interest is earned on deposits according to applicable banking rules.
• Eligible account holders can receive a RuPay debit card.
• Accident insurance through the RuPay card is subject to the applicable conditions.
• The overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 is subject to eligibility and is not free cash assistance.
• The ₹2 lakh figure refers to applicable accident insurance cover, not money deposited into the account.
• Eligible Government payments can be received through DBT.
• Other insurance and pension schemes linked through the banking system have their own eligibility and enrolment conditions.
• Account opening is carried out through a bank branch or Bank Mitra/Business Correspondent.
• Applicants should complete the applicable KYC requirements before the account is opened.

Important Links

• PMJDY Official Portal
• PMJDY Scheme Details
• Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Official Brochure
• Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Continuation Notification
• Prdhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Account Opening Form in Hindi & English

Contact Details

• Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
• Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India
• National Toll-Free Number: 1800 11 0001, 1800 180 1111