Governments throughout the world have made financial inclusion a top priority to close the gap between the banked and unbanked people. In India, where a sizable section of the populace is not able to use formal banking services, it is imperative to achieve broad financial inclusion. Recognizing this, PMJDY was introduced.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), the government of India’s main program for financial inclusion, was introduced on August 28, 2014. The goal of this large-scale project is to guarantee that every home in the nation has access to basic banking services, which will empower millions of people, especially those living in rural and remote areas.
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What Is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)?
A national initiative called the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aims to give everyone access to financial services, with a particular emphasis on the most disadvantaged groups in society. Ensuring that every Indian household has at least one basic savings bank account is the main objective of the initiative.
To enhance the financial stability of the impoverished, the PMJDY provides a variety of financial services and products, including pensions, insurance, credit, savings and deposit accounts, and remittances.
The PMJDY was launched with the motto “Mera Khata, Bhagya Vidhaata“, reflecting the scheme’s broader vision of creating a more financially inclusive and equitable society.
Within months of the program’s introduction, millions of accounts were opened. This demonstrated the immense success of this scheme. Since then, it has changed to incorporate a range of financial goods to meet the different demands of account users.
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Key Features of PMJDY
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana offers several key features that make it a cornerstone of financial inclusion efforts in India. Some of the most notable features include:
Zero-Balance Savings Accounts:
Under PMJDY, individuals can open a savings account without the requirement of maintaining a minimum balance. This feature has been crucial in attracting low-income individuals who might otherwise hesitate to open a bank account due to concerns about maintaining a minimum balance.
RuPay Debit Card:
Every account holder is provided with a RuPay Debit Card, which can be used for transactions at ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and online purchases. The RuPay card also offers accidental insurance coverage of up to ₹1 lakh, which is an added benefit for account holders.
Overdraft Facility:
PMJDY accounts offer an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000, which acts as a form of short-term credit for account holders. This facility is particularly beneficial for those in urgent need of funds, allowing them to access money even if their account balance is zero.
Access to Insurance and Pension Schemes:
PMJDY account holders are eligible to participate in various government insurance and pension schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Atal Pension Yojana. This integration ensures that even the most economically disadvantaged individuals can secure their future through affordable insurance and pension plans.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
One of the most significant advantages of the PMJDY is its role in facilitating Direct Benefit Transfers. Subsidies and benefits from various government schemes are directly credited to the beneficiaries’ accounts, reducing leakages and ensuring timely disbursement of funds.
Official Link of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
Who Can Open a PMJDY Account?
It’s important to note that several eligibility criteria remain a major requirement for opening the PMJDY account. You can have a look at the basic eligibility criteria you must meet when applying for a PMJDY account:
- The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is an inclusive scheme meant for all sections of society.
- If you’re an Indian citizen and aged above 10 years, you can easily get your PMJDY account open.
- The scheme is particularly targeted at the unbanked and underprivileged populations, including those living in rural areas, women, and marginalized communities.
- Even if you already have a bank account, you can open a PMJDY account to enjoy the particular benefits.
- Minors can also get their accounts opened under the guardianship of their legal guardians or parents.
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Required Documents for Account Opening
Opening the PMJDY account has been kept straightforward and hassle-free. All you need is the following list of documents to get started:
- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport)
- PAN Card
- KYC Documents
- Self-declaration
- Passport-sized Photographs
Impact of PMJDY on Financial Inclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has led a significant impact on financial inclusion in our country. Through this scheme, there’s an immense increase in the number of bank accounts in rural and semi-urban areas for the first time in Indian history. Here’s what impact PMJDY made over the years:
- Closing the Gap: Before the introduction of PMJDY, many Indians, particularly those living in rural regions, had restricted access to financial services. Millions of formerly unbanked people now have financial access thanks to the initiative, which has closed this gap.
- Empowering Women: Women have opened a sizable portion of PMJDY accounts, which has helped to empower them financially. Women are now able to take a more active role in home financial decisions and manage their finances better since they have a bank account in their names.
- Improving Financial Literacy: The PMJDY has contributed to the impoverisher’s increased financial literacy. People who have access to banking services are more aware of the value of insurance and pensions, savings, and money management.
- Direct Benefit Transfers: By integrating PMJDY accounts with the government’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program, corruption and leakages have been minimized and subsidies and other financial advantages have been guaranteed to reach their intended recipients directly.
Benefits to Account Holders:
The benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana extend beyond just having a bank account. Some of the key benefits to account holders include:
- People can lower the hazards involved with keeping cash on hand at home by putting their money in a safe place with a PMJDY account.
- By facilitating cashless transactions, the presence of a RuPay debit card further improves financial security.
- Owners of PMJDY accounts are automatically qualified for several government programs, including the Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
- For small premiums, these programs provide pension benefits and life and accident insurance.
- Account customers can use the overdraft facility, which allows them to overdraft up to ₹10,000, as an emergency credit line to get money when they need it without turning to unofficial, high-interest loans.
- Women and people living in rural areas, among other marginalized groups, have benefited greatly from PMJDY’s assistance in entering the official banking system.
- Their social and economic empowerment as a result of this inclusion has allowed them to take a more active role in the economy.
- In case of unexpected circumstances and issues, account holders‘ families are safeguarded by the accidental insurance cover that comes with the RuPay debit card.
FAQs
Ques 1. Will the PMJDY account holders have access to online banking services?
Ans. Yes, all the PMJDY account holders are eligible to get access to mobile banking, internet banking, debit cards, and passbooks.
Ques 2. Is it possible to open a joint PMJDY account?
Ans. Yes, you can open a joint PMJDY account but it needs to be done in the nearest bank account.
Ques 3. Can you open the Jan Dhan account online?
Ans. No, the Jan Dhan accounts can only be opened at the bank branches or BC points.