Jan Dhan accounts cross 59 crore; PM Modi highlights scheme’s ‘unprecedented’ impact

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted the scale of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, saying the financial inclusion scheme has delivered transformative outcomes since its launch in 2014.

The programme has now crossed 59 crore accounts, with total deposits reaching Rs 3 lakh 17 thousand crore. The government describes it as the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, aimed at bringing more people into formal banking.

Rural areas and women lead expansion

According to figures highlighted by MyGovIndia, 78 per cent of Jan Dhan accounts are held in rural and semi-urban areas. Women account for around 56 per cent of the total, with nearly 33 crore women holding Jan Dhan accounts.

MyGovIndia said the number of accounts has risen from 14.7 crore in 2015 to 59 crore in 2026.

“A bank account is more than a number. It is a financial identity," the government platform said, pointing to the role of bank accounts in expanding participation in the formal economy.

The platform also highlighted 46 crore accounts in rural and semi-urban areas.

“Your pin code shouldn’t determine your access to banking," it said.

DBT and digital banking get a push

MyGovIndia also pointed to the role of Direct Benefit Transfer in making welfare payments more direct. It said ₹53 lakh crore has been transferred to beneficiaries, including Jan Dhan account holders.

“Getting government benefits shouldn’t mean navigating layers of middlemen," it said.

The government platform further said nearly 100 per cent of villages now have a banking outlet within 5 km.

“Banking access shouldn’t depend on how far you live from a branch," it said.

RuPay cards, Bank Mitras expand access

More than 41 crore RuPay cards have been issued to Jan Dhan account holders, according to the figures shared by MyGovIndia.

“Having a bank account can open the door to a wider digital financial ecosystem," it said.

The platform also highlighted the contribution of more than 13.5 lakh Bank Mitras, who help extend banking services beyond traditional branches.

“For many, reaching a bank branch once meant travelling for hours," it said.

Concluding its assessment, MyGovIndia said, “We went looking for the red flags in India’s banking journey. Instead, we found a Green Forest."