📰 News ⏱ 2 min

India’s Jan Dhan Programme: Banking for All and Empowering Millions

Launched in 2014, the Jan Dhan programme aims to give every Indian a bank account and access to financial services.

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Key Points

6 points

Accounts grew from 14.72 crore in 2015 to 59.09 crore in 2026.

45.95 crore accounts are in villages and small towns; 13.14 crore in cities.

32.92 crore women now have accounts.

Deposits rose from ₹15,670 crore to ₹3,16,514 crore.

41.29 crore RuPay debit cards issued; new accounts receive accident insurance up to ₹2 lakh.

India’s Financial Inclusion Index improved from 53.9 to 67.

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By August 2026 the scheme has created nearly 590 million accounts, with a majority in rural and semi‑urban areas.

Women account for almost 330 million beneficiaries, improving their financial independence.

Total deposits have increased twenty‑fold, indicating growing confidence in formal banking.

Account holders can also obtain a RuPay debit card, low‑cost insurance, pension schemes and an overdraft loan up to ten thousand rupees.

The programme has been recognised by international bodies such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

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8 words

financial inclusion

Making sure all people can use banks, savings, loans and digital money services.

overdraft

A short‑term loan that lets you spend a little more than the money in your account.

pension scheme

A plan that saves money for you to use after you stop working.

financial literacy

Understanding how money works, like saving, spending and borrowing.

cyber fraud

When someone tricks you online to steal your money or personal information.

institutional

Related to big organizations like banks or governments.

beneficiary

A person who receives help or benefits from a program.

index

A number that shows how well something is doing, like how many people have bank accounts.

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