PMJDY Full Form: Jan Dhan Account, RuPay Cover, Overdraft, Re-KYC
Independent guide. We are not part of RBI, NPCI or any bank, and we never ask for your account details, PIN or OTP.
PMJDY stands for Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, India's financial inclusion mission launched on 28 August 2014. It gives any adult without a bank account a zero-balance basic savings account with a free RuPay debit card, ₹2 lakh accident cover (₹1 lakh for accounts opened up to 28 Aug 2018), an overdraft of up to ₹10,000, and direct credit of government benefits.
- Full form
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
- Run by
- Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance
- Launched
- 28 August 2014
- Account type
- Basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account
- Minimum balance
- None; no opening deposit
- Accident cover
- ₹2 lakh with the RuPay card (₹1 lakh if opened up to 28 Aug 2018)
- Overdraft
- Up to ₹10,000 for eligible holders
- Accounts
- 59.63 crore, deposits ₹3.25 lakh crore (21 Oct 2026)
- Toll-free
- 1800 11 0001, 1800 180 1111
What is PMJDY?
PMJDY is the National Mission for Financial Inclusion. Its aim is that every adult has a basic bank account and, through it, access to savings, money transfers, credit, insurance and pension at low cost. Accounts are opened at any bank branch or at a business correspondent (BC) outlet, also called a Bank Mitra, by people who don't already have an account.
A Jan Dhan account is an ordinary bank account in your name. It earns interest like any savings account, and it is covered by DICGC deposit insurance like your other deposits in that bank.
| Measure | Figure | As on |
|---|---|---|
| Total accounts | 59.63 crore | 21 Oct 2026 |
| Deposits | ₹3,24,639 crore | 21 Oct 2026 |
| Accounts held by women | 33.26 crore | 21 Oct 2026 |
| RuPay cards issued | 41.83 crore | 21 Oct 2026 |
| Average deposit per account | ₹5,356 | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Accounts in rural and semi-urban areas | 77.8% | 19 Aug 2026 |
What you get with a Jan Dhan account
Zero-balance account
No minimum balance, no opening deposit, interest on your money. Deposits are unlimited in number and amount.
Free RuPay debit card
No annual fee at issue or renewal. It carries built-in accident insurance: ₹2 lakh for accounts opened after 28 Aug 2018, ₹1 lakh for older accounts.
Overdraft up to ₹10,000
An OD lets you withdraw more than your balance in an emergency. Under the 2018 rules, up to ₹2,000 comes with no conditions, and the age limit is 18 to 65 years. Beyond that, the bank decides based on how you use the account.
Government benefits
Jan Dhan accounts can receive Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments from the Centre, states and local bodies.
Insurance, pension, loans
You can join PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY through the account, and a savings record helps you get credit, including MUDRA loans.
Free facilities and withdrawal limits
A Jan Dhan account is a BSBD account, so RBI's rules for basic accounts apply. From 1 April 2026 (or earlier if your bank adopted them), commercial banks and regional rural banks must give these free, with no minimum balance:
| Facility | What is free |
|---|---|
| Deposits | Cash at the branch or ATM, money received electronically, and cheque collection. No limit on number or value. |
| Debit card | ATM or ATM-cum-debit card, with no annual fee |
| Withdrawals | At least 4 free a month, counting ATM withdrawals (own or other bank's) and transfers |
| Digital payments | UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and card payments at shops (POS) are not counted in the 4 withdrawals |
| Cheque book | At least 25 cheque leaves a year |
| Internet and mobile banking | Free |
| Passbook | Passbook (and continuation passbooks) or a monthly statement, printed or by email |
Opened your account before April 2026? The bank adds the newer free facilities (such as cheque book, internet and mobile banking, and passbook) when you ask for them, at the branch or online. The bank can't force you to take a card, cheque book or app, and can't make you keep a minimum balance for any extra service.
One basic account only. You can't hold a BSBD account in two banks, and with a BSBD account you can't have another savings account in the same bank (fixed deposits are allowed). You can ask your bank to convert an existing savings account to a basic account; it must do so within 7 days.
Who can open and how
The account is meant for people who don't have a bank account. You give the usual KYC documents: Aadhaar or another officially valid document (OVD), plus PAN or Form 60. You must declare that you don't hold a basic account in any other bank.
No documents at all? The bank must still open a small account with just a self-attested photo and your signature or thumb impression in front of a bank officer. Limits: credits up to ₹1 lakh a year, withdrawals up to ₹10,000 a month, balance up to ₹50,000 (government benefits don't count towards the balance). It is valid for 12 months, extendable by 12 more if you show you've applied for a document. See our KYC guide.
- Visit any bank branch or a Bank Mitra (BC) outlet.
- Fill in the account opening form and add a nominee.
- Complete KYC with Aadhaar or another OVD and PAN or Form 60, or ask for a small account.
- Collect your passbook and ask for the free RuPay card, cheque book and mobile banking.
- Ask the bank to link your Aadhaar for DBT.
DBT and Aadhaar seeding
Under the "JAM" approach (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile), the government pays subsidies and welfare benefits straight into beneficiaries' bank accounts, without middlemen. For this, your Aadhaar must be linked ("seeded") with your account. Ask your bank branch or Bank Mitra to do it, and make sure your Aadhaar details are correct first: see our Aadhaar guide.
Linked insurance and pension schemes
You join these through your bank account by giving consent for auto-debit. The insurance cover runs from 1 June to 31 May and renews each year. You can join each through only one account.
| Scheme | Who can join | Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMJJBY (life cover) | Age 18 to 50 | ₹436 a year (less if you join after August) | ₹2 lakh on death from any cause; 30-day waiting period after joining |
| PMSBY (accident cover) | Age 18 to 70 | ₹20 a year | ₹2 lakh on accidental death or total permanent disability; ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability |
| APY (pension) | Age 18 to 40, not an income tax payer | Depends on age and pension chosen | Guaranteed pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 a month from age 60 |
Account holder vs nominee
- Keep the account active. Do at least one transaction yourself from time to time (deposit, withdrawal, card or UPI payment). Interest and charges don't count.
- Use your RuPay card. The accident claim rules published on the PMJDY site require at least one successful card transaction (at an ATM, micro ATM, shop, online or at a Bank Mitra) within 90 days before the accident.
- Register a nominee and keep your mobile number updated with the bank.
- Update KYC when asked. If nothing has changed, a self-declaration is enough (see below).
- Need the overdraft? Ask your branch; it checks your age (18 to 65) and how you've used the account.
RuPay card accident cover (₹2 lakh, or ₹1 lakh for accounts opened up to 28 Aug 2018) is paid for accidental death or permanent total disability.
- Inform the bank branch where the account is held, within 90 days of the accident. The bank lodges the claim with the insurer.
- Give the claim form (from the bank), the death certificate, and the FIR or police panchnama. The insurer may also ask for the post-mortem report or medical records. For disability, give the hospital discharge papers and the doctor's certificate of disability.
- The bank adds its declaration of the card and its use within 90 days before the accident, with the transaction log.
- Give your own bank account details. The insurer pays the nominee (or legal heir) by NEFT.
Account balance: the nominee claims it from the bank with the death certificate and the bank's claim form, as for any deceased depositor's account. PMJJBY/PMSBY: claims are also made through the same bank, if the person had enrolled.
Inoperative accounts and re-KYC
- When it becomes inoperative: a savings account turns inoperative if you make no transaction yourself for over 2 years. The bank must warn you after 1 year of no use.
- Benefit accounts are protected: RBI tells banks to keep zero-balance accounts opened for government benefits and scholarships separate, so they aren't made inoperative just for not being used, and DBT credits keep coming.
- Reactivating is free: update your KYC at any branch of your bank (not only your home branch), or by video KYC if your bank offers it. No charges are allowed for activation or for low balance in an inoperative account.
- After 10 years unclaimed money moves to RBI's DEA Fund, but you can still claim it through your bank.
Free camps until 31 Dec 2026. The Department of Financial Services is running a nationwide saturation campaign in 2.70 lakh gram panchayats and urban local bodies from 21 Oct to 31 Dec 2026: re-KYC of Jan Dhan and other savings accounts, new Jan Dhan accounts, nominee updates, CKYC numbers, and enrolment in PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY. Full details on our KYC page.
Safety: never rent out your account
Don't sell, rent or "lend" your bank account, card or login to anyone. Fraud gangs look for such "mule accounts" on Telegram, Facebook and elsewhere to move money from scams. The Home Ministry's cybercrime centre (I4C) has warned that money passing through such accounts can lead to legal action, including arrest.
- Never share your OTP, card PIN, or passbook and cheque book with anyone, including a "helpful" agent.
- Ignore offers of commission for receiving and forwarding money.
- No one needs to pay any fee to open a Jan Dhan account.
- Fraud or misuse? Call 1930 or report on cybercrime.gov.in, and tell your bank at once.
Problems and complaints
- Complain to your bank first, at the branch or through its official complaint channel. Keep the complaint number.
- Scheme help: the PMJDY national toll-free numbers are 1800 11 0001 and 1800 180 1111.
- No reply in 30 days, or unhappy with it? Complain free to RBI under RB-IOS at cms.rbi.org.in or call 14448, within 90 days of the bank's reply (or of the 30 days ending). Typical issues: refusal to open the account, minimum-balance charges, card not issued, wrong debits, or DBT not credited.
History of PMJDY
Prime Minister launches PMJDY, the National Mission on Financial Inclusion.
The Jan Suraksha schemes, PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY, are launched.
Mission continued beyond 14 Aug 2018: overdraft raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, and accident cover raised to ₹2 lakh for accounts opened after 28 Aug 2018.
New free BSBD facilities (cheque book, internet and mobile banking, digital payments not counted as withdrawals) take effect.
12 years: 59.09 crore accounts with ₹3.17 lakh crore deposits (as on 19 Aug 2026).
Nationwide financial inclusion and re-KYC campaign begins, running to 31 Dec 2026.
FAQs
What is the full form of PMJDY?
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the Government of India's National Mission for Financial Inclusion.
Is there a minimum balance in a Jan Dhan account?
No. There is no minimum balance and no opening deposit, and the bank can't charge you for a low balance.
How many free withdrawals do I get each month?
At least 4 a month, including ATM withdrawals at any bank and transfers. UPI, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and card payments at shops don't count towards the 4.
Is the accident insurance ₹1 lakh or ₹2 lakh?
₹2 lakh if your Jan Dhan account was opened after 28 Aug 2018; ₹1 lakh for older accounts. The RuPay card must have been used at least once in the 90 days before the accident.
Who gets the ₹10,000 overdraft?
Eligible account holders aged 18 to 65. Up to ₹2,000 has no conditions; above that, the bank decides based on how you use the account.
Can I open a Jan Dhan account if I already have a savings account?
The scheme is for people without a bank account. You can't have another savings account in the same bank as your basic account, but you can convert your existing savings account to a basic account.
My Jan Dhan account is inactive. Will I lose the money?
No. Reactivate it free by updating KYC at any branch of your bank. Even after 10 years, when the money moves to RBI's DEA Fund, you can still claim it through the bank.
Someone offered me money to use my Jan Dhan account. Is it safe?
No. This is how fraud gangs create mule accounts, and you can face police action for money passing through your account. Refuse and report it on 1930.
Official sources
- PMJDY (DFS) – Scheme details and benefits (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PMJDY (DFS) – Progress report, beneficiaries as on 21 Oct 2026 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PMJDY (DFS) – Continuation of PMJDY: overdraft and accident cover changes, 2018 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – PM Jan Dhan Yojana completes 12 years, 27 Aug 2026 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- RBI – Commercial Banks (Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2025: BSBD account, 4 Dec 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- RBI – Regional Rural Banks (Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2025: BSBD account, 4 Dec 2025 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- RBI – Inoperative accounts / unclaimed deposits: revised instructions, 1 Jan 2024 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY complete 11 years, 9 May 2026 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – Saturation campaign of financial inclusion schemes, 21 Oct to 31 Dec 2026 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PMJDY – Claims process, RuPay card personal accident benefit (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PMJDY – RuPay Insurance Program FAQs (claim documents and 90-day card use) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- PIB – I4C alert on mule bank accounts, 28 Oct 2024 (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- RBI – Commercial Banks – Know Your Customer Directions, 2025 (small accounts) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
- RBI – Complaint Management System (RB-IOS) (accessed 31 Oct 2026)
Found a mistake?
Get new acronym guides
Hear when we publish new guides to Indian banking, tax and government terms.