Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a major financial inclusion initiative launched by the Government of India to provide comprehensive banking services to the unbanked population. Here’s a concise overview of the key aspects of PMJDY:

Key Features of PMJDY:

• Zero Balance Account:

Accounts can be opened without maintaining a minimum balance.

• Interest Rate:

Interest on savings accounts is as per the bank’s standard savings account interest rate.

• Accidental Insurance Cover:
• Rs. 1 lakh for accounts opened under the RuPay scheme.
• Rs. 2 lakh for accounts opened after 28 August 2018.
• Overdraft Facility:
• Up to Rs. 5,000 after six months of maintaining the account.
• Can be increased to Rs. 10,000 under certain conditions.

Eligibility:

• Indian Citizen:

Only Indian citizens can open a PMJDY account.

• Age:

Must be at least 10 years old.

• No Existing Bank Account:

Individuals without a bank account are eligible.

Documents Required:

• Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Driving License
• NREGA Job Card
• Any other government-issued identity proof

Phases of Implementation:

• Phase I (15 August 2014 – 14 August 2015):

Focused on providing access to bank accounts with RuPay Debit Card and accident insurance.

• Phase II (15 August 2015 – 14 August 2018):

Introduced micro-insurance and pension schemes for the unorganized sector.

• Phase III (14 August 2018 onwards):

Enhanced overdraft limits and increased accidental insurance cover for new accounts.

Achievements:

• Account Growth:

Over 40 crore accounts have been opened, with significant increases in deposits and active accounts.

• Financial Inclusion:

The scheme has successfully brought a large segment of the population into the formal banking system.

Benefits:

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):

Facilitates direct transfer of government benefits to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

• Life Insurance Cover:

Accounts opened between 20 August 2014 and 31 January 2015 offer life insurance cover of Rs. 30,000.

• Mobile Banking:

Allows account holders to check balances and transfer money using mobile banking.

Participating Banks:

PMJDY accounts can be opened at various public and private sector banks, including:

• State Bank of India (SBI)
• Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank
• Axis Bank
• Many others

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• Small Account (Chota Khata):

A temporary account with limited features, valid for 12 months, for those without full documentation.

• Joint Accounts:

Yes, joint accounts can be opened under PMJDY.

• Loan Facility:

Overdraft facilities are available with no processing fees.

• Minor Accounts:

Minors aged 10 years and above can open an account and are eligible for RuPay Cards.

Conclusion:

PMJDY has played a pivotal role in increasing financial inclusion across India, making banking services accessible to millions who previously had no access. The scheme continues to focus on expanding coverage and enhancing benefits to ensure that every household in India is part of the formal financial system.

For more detailed information, visit the official PMJDY website or contact a participating bank.