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PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) 2026

⚠️ DPDP Rules, 2025 (14 Nov 2025) amended Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act — public-interest override now under Section 8(2). Read the note →

· 2026/04/19 05:02

Direct answer. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is India's financial-inclusion scheme — every Indian (10+) with Aadhaar can open a zero-balance bank account at any branch, any day, in 30 minutes. Comes with a free RuPay debit card, ₹2 lakh accident cover, overdraft eligibility up to ₹10,000, and direct DBT enrolment. 53+ crore accounts opened (largest in the world). ₹0 application cost.

Quick Answer

What is this scheme

PMJDY launched on 28 August 2014 under Department of Financial Services. Goals: every Indian household with at least one bank account, financial literacy, credit access, insurance, pension. Phase 2.0 (since 2018) added overdraft expansion and more insurance benefits.

Key benefits

Who is eligible

Criterion Detail
Age 10+ years (10–18 = minor account with guardian)
Citizenship Indian resident
Existing accounts OK to have other accounts; PMJDY can be additional
Aadhaar Required (or Aadhaar enrolment number with proof)
Address Any Indian address (formal or self-declaration)
Income No bar — open to all

Documents required

  1. Aadhaar card (mandatory, mobile-linked preferred)
  2. OR PAN card + 1 OVD (Officially Valid Document — Voter ID, DL, Passport)
  3. Photograph — passport-size
  4. Address proof (Aadhaar address used by default)

If you have no documents at all: open a “Small Account” with self-declaration + photograph. Limit ₹50k/year credit, ₹10k/month withdrawal — convertible to full account once you produce ID.

Step-by-step application

  1. Visit any PSU/private/RRB bank branch.
  2. Ask for “Jan Dhan Yojana” form OR fill regular savings form selecting “Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA)”.
  3. Submit Aadhaar + photo. Officer scans → eKYC.
  4. Account number issued same day, passbook in 5–7 days.
  5. RuPay Debit Card delivered to address in 7–10 days. PIN sent separately.
  6. Aadhaar–bank seeding mandatory for DBT — ask officer to do at the same visit.
  7. Activate UPI: download bank's app or BHIM, link account.

Common mistakes

Latest updates (2026)

FAQ

Can I close my Jan Dhan account?

Yes — visit branch with passbook + ID, fill closure form. No fee. Outstanding balance refunded.

Is Jan Dhan account taxable?

Same tax rules as any savings account — interest above ₹10,000/year is taxable. Most Jan Dhan accounts have low balance and don't trigger.

Why is my overdraft application denied?

Common reasons: less than 6 months operation, irregular transactions, not Aadhaar-seeded, existing loan default. File RTI to bank for grounds + reapply.

Does Jan Dhan get me Ayushman Bharat?

Not automatically. Ayushman Bharat eligibility is based on SECC 2011 + Awas+ (rural) and 70+ age (universal). Check at beneficiary.nha.gov.in.

Can I deposit cash at any branch (not just home branch)?

Yes — most PSU banks allow cash deposit at any branch. Some impose ₹0–50 fee at non-home branches above ₹50k cumulative monthly.

You may also be eligible for

Sources

{REVIEWED}

Last reviewed: 3 May 2026.

Visual / Infographic prompts

SVG icon prompts (use any AI image gen)

  1. Minimal flat icon of an Indian RuPay debit card with chip + Indian flag stripe.
  2. Clean line-art icon of a piggy bank with rupee symbol, zero-balance label.
  3. Simple shield icon enclosing '₹2 lakh' with a heartbeat line through it.

Feature image prompt

Realistic warm-toned photo: an Indian woman in a saree holding a Jan Dhan passbook + RuPay card outside a PSU bank branch in a tier-2 city, soft golden hour light, natural smile.