Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Modi Hails Jan Dhan Scheme’s Impact on India’s Banking Access
The Jan Dhan scheme helps people who did not have bank accounts join the formal banking system.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the program after it completed 12 years.
The number of accounts grew from 14.7 crore in 2015 to 59 crore in 2026.
Women hold more than half of these accounts.
Many accounts are also held by people living in rural and semi-urban areas.
This means the program has reached beyond India’s biggest cities.
Unbanked adults can open a basic account through the scheme.
They do not need to keep a minimum balance or pay maintenance charges.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana as it completed 12 years.
Jan Dhan accounts increased from 14.7 crore in 2015 to 59 crore in 2026, according to MyGov India.
Women hold nearly 33 crore accounts, representing 56% of the total.
About 46 crore accounts, or 78%, are located in rural and semi-urban areas.
The scheme allows unbanked adults to open basic accounts without minimum-balance or maintenance-charge requirements.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people using the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
- What
- The PMJDY completed 12 years, with account numbers reaching 59 crore in 2026.
- When
- The scheme completed 12 years; Modi’s remarks were made on Friday.
- Where
- India, including rural and semi-urban areas.
- Why
- To bring unbanked Indians into the formal financial system.
- Scheme
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
- Launch
- 2014
- Accounts in 2015
- 14.7 crore
- Accounts in 2026
- 59 crore
- Women’s share
- Nearly 33 crore accounts, or 56% of the total
- Rural and semi-urban share
- Around 46 crore accounts, or 78% of the total
- Account requirements
- No minimum balance or maintenance charges