Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Jan Dhan Yojana Expands India’s Financial Inclusion After Twelve Years
The Jan Dhan Yojana is a government programme that helps people open bank accounts.
It began in 2014 for families who did not use formal banks.
Since then, about 590 million accounts have been opened.
Most of these accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas.
Women hold 56% of the accounts.
The accounts help people receive government payments directly.
They also connect people with insurance, pensions and digital payments.
The programme helped deliver support during demonetisation and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its next challenge is helping people use their accounts more often and safely.
PMJDY was launched on August 28, 2014, to bring Indian households into formal banking.
Around 590 million accounts have been opened, with about 78% in rural and semi-urban areas.
Women account for 56% of Jan Dhan holders, while nearly 96% of adults now have bank accounts.
Jan Dhan accounts support direct benefit transfers, emergency payments, insurance, pensions and digital payments.
The next phase is expected to focus on account use, affordable lending, financial literacy and stronger rural digital banking.
- Who
- The Government of India, banks and people previously outside the formal banking system are involved.
- What
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has expanded access to bank accounts and related financial services.
- When
- It was launched on August 28, 2014, and is described as entering its thirteenth year.
- Where
- Across India, including rural, semi-urban and remote areas.
- Why
- It was created to bring households—especially poor and marginalised communities—into the formal financial system and improve access to government support.
- Launch date
- August 28, 2014
- Accounts opened
- Approximately 590 million PMJDY accounts
- Rural and semi-urban share
- Around 78% of PMJDY accounts
- Women account holders
- 56% of Jan Dhan account holders
- Account ownership
- Nearly 96% of Indian adults hold an account, according to the article
- Total deposits
- Rs 3.1 lakh crore in PMJDY accounts
- RuPay cards issued
- More than 411 million
