Expanding Financial Inclusion Across India
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Reaches 55 Crore Beneficiaries in 2025 : The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) continues to be a cornerstone of financial inclusion in India. By March 2025, the scheme had successfully covered 55.14 crore beneficiaries, accumulating a combined account balance of ₹2.5 lakh crore. Launched on August 15, 2014, the PMJDY was envisioned to provide banking access to every Indian household, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Focus on Rural and Female Participation
A significant highlight of PMJDY is its rural outreach and female participation. 67% of account holders are from rural and semi-urban areas, reflecting the scheme’s success in reaching the grassroots. Furthermore, 30.71 crore women have Jan Dhan accounts, constituting 56% of all beneficiaries. This shift indicates increasing financial independence and empowerment for Indian women.
Boost to Banking and Savings Culture
The average balance per Jan Dhan account now stands at ₹4,726, marking a notable improvement in the savings behaviour among low-income groups. The scheme has enabled smoother Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) for government subsidies and welfare schemes, thus reducing leakages and middlemen. The integration of financial literacy programs has encouraged the population to adopt better financial habits.
Digital Push Through RuPay Cards
One of the critical enablers of digital inclusion under PMJDY has been the distribution of RuPay debit cards. By March 2025, over 37.77 crore RuPay cards were issued, making digital banking accessible even in remote locations. This step not only aids cashless transactions but also expands digital penetration, contributing to India’s broader Digital India goals.
Challenges and Way Forward
Despite massive outreach, the scheme faces a few hurdles. As of 2025, 11.3 crore accounts remain dormant, which reflects underutilisation. The government aims to introduce innovative credit products and develop a formal credit scoring system to promote active financial participation. There’s also a call for increased involvement of private sector banks, which lag behind public sector counterparts in Jan Dhan implementation.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Reaches 55 Crore Beneficiaries in 2025 :
| Feature | Details |
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) |
| Launch Date | August 15, 2014 |
| Beneficiaries (as of March 2025) | 55.14 crore |
| Total Deposits | ₹2.5 lakh crore |
| Women Account Holders | 30.71 crore (56% of total) |
| Rural + Semi-Urban Account Share | 67% |
| RuPay Cards Issued | 37.77 crore |
| Average Account Balance | ₹4,726 |
| Financial Inclusion Index (2017-24) | Rose from 43.4 (2017) to 64.2 (2024) |
| Dormant Accounts | 11.3 crore |
| Key Ministries | Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services |
| Impact Areas | DBT, financial literacy, digital banking, women empowerment |
