Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):- The National mission of financial inclusion for all, known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014. Anchored in the development philosophy of “Sab ka saath sab ka vikas,” this initiative aims to provide easy access to financial services to all households.
Under this scheme, every household will be equipped with a bank account along with a RuPay debit card, ensuring convenient access to financial resources. Additionally, they will gain access to credit, insurance, and pension services, enhancing their social security. By integrating excluded sections into the financial mainstream, this initiative not only fosters financial inclusivity but also facilitates the more efficient transfer of benefits from various government subsidy schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Main Contents
The Government of India places significant importance on ensuring financial inclusion for all citizens, recognizing its pivotal role in poverty alleviation. The exclusion of a large segment of the population from access to financial services hampers the overall progress and development of the nation. Recognizing this need, there was a pressing demand for a scheme aimed at empowering citizens financially, enabling everyone to partake in the benefits of growth and development. In response to this imperative, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), hailed as the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative, was unveiled by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on August 15, 2014, during his address from the Red Fort.
Subsequently, on August 28, 2014, the scheme was launched nationwide. During the inauguration, the Prime Minister likened the occasion to a festival, celebrating the emancipation of the economically marginalized from the shackles of poverty. In his address, the Prime Minister invoked an ancient Sanskrit verse, “Sukhasya Moolam Dharma, Dharmasya Moolam Artha, Arthasya Moolam Rajyam,” underscoring the state’s responsibility to engage people in economic activities. Embracing this responsibility, the Government embarked on this ambitious initiative. Furthermore, the Prime Minister personally reached out to approximately 7.25 lakh bank employees via email, urging their support in achieving the target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts, thereby liberating individuals from financial exclusion.
PMJDY 2024 Overview
| Article For | Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana |
| PMJDY | Click Here |
| Year | 2024 |
| Category | Sarkari Yojana |
| Official Website | https://pmjdy.gov.in/ |
What is PMJDY Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) stands as a National Mission aimed at achieving financial inclusion across all sectors and regions of India. Its overarching goal is to ensure that every individual in our nation has access to essential financial services, including banking/savings and deposit accounts, remittance facilities, insurance coverage, credit options, and pension schemes, all delivered in an affordable manner.
Under this initiative, individuals can open bank accounts at any branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet. These accounts operate with zero balance requirements, meaning that individuals are not obligated to maintain a minimum balance in their Jan Dhan Yojana Account. However, to access additional banking features such as checkbooks, account-holders may need to fulfill certain minimum balance criteria.
PMJDY Motto
Financial inclusion stands as a paramount national priority, steered by the Government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth across all segments of society. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) serves as a cornerstone in realizing this vision, with its primary objective being the provision of universal access to banking facilities. Key objectives encompass:
- Opening accounts for all unbanked households.
- Facilitating easy access to credit, insurance, and pension schemes.
- Promoting digital awareness and financial literacy.
- Mitigating leakage in subsidies through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts.
- Strengthening the financial system.
- Establishing a robust national ID system.
- Developing a resilient payment infrastructure utilizing inter-mobile payment services.
- Establishing a credit guarantee fund to cover defaults in overdraft accounts.
- Providing micro-insurance to eligible account holders.
- Implementing pension schemes for the unorganized sector, such as Swavalamban.
Role of Technology in Financial Inclusion
Technology plays a pivotal role in extending the reach of the PMJDY scheme, leveraging innovative solutions to transcend geographical barriers. Here are some key roles:
- Utilizing advanced technologies like e-KYC, IMPS, AEPS, and mobile banking for cost-effective and widespread outreach.
- Implementing Core Banking Solutions (CBS) to enhance banking services accessibility, facilitating seamless utilization of products like RTGS, NEFT, and mobile banking.
- Adopting a multi-channel branchless approach employing handheld devices such as mobiles and micro-ATMs.
- Promoting e-KYC initiatives to streamline account opening procedures.
- Leveraging RuPay debit cards by NPCI for their affordability, customized offerings, and robust information protection measures.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Features
PMJDY boasts several features that position it as a transformative force in financial inclusion:
- Zero-balance account opening.
- Overdraft facility of Rs. 10,000 for Aadhar-linked eligible account holders aged between 18 and 65 years.
- RuPay debit cards with built-in Rs. 2 lakh personal accident insurance cover.
- Eligibility for various government schemes including DBT, PMJBY, PMSBY, APY, and MUDRA.
- Promotion of financial literacy and access to credit and insurance.
- Introduction of pension schemes and remittance facilities.
PMJDY Challenges
Despite significant strides in financial inclusion, PMJDY encounters several challenges:
- Telecom connectivity limitations in remote and hilly areas necessitating the deployment of Bank Mitr (Bank Correspondents) to facilitate account openings.
- Dormancy of PMJDY accounts due to lack of awareness and duplicate accounts.
- Imperative to raise awareness about banking products and services, addressed in part through the Bank Mitr model providing doorstep banking services.
- Commission on DBT should extend to cover LPG and MGNREGA.
- Ensuring coverage in hill and rural areas, particularly in the northeast, J&K, and Uttarakhand, remains challenging due to infrastructural limitations.
Achievements Of PMJDY
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Scheme (PMJDY) has achieved several milestones since its inception:
- Significant growth in account openings, reaching 51.04 crore since launch.
- Promotion of RuPay card benefits.
- Introduction of the Jan Dhan Dharshak app.
- Facilitation of smooth DBT transactions.
- Encouragement of digital transactions.
- Improved access to micro-investment and micro-credit opportunities like flexi recurring deposits.
- Recognition by the Guinness World Records for the highest number of new bank accounts opened within a week.
- International acknowledgment for efforts in financial inclusion and poverty alleviation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana stands as a testament to the Indian government’s unwavering commitment to financial inclusion and socio-economic development. By providing universal access to banking facilities and promoting digital literacy, the PMJDY has empowered millions of unbanked individuals across the nation. Despite encountering challenges such as telecom connectivity issues and dormant accounts, the scheme has achieved remarkable milestones, garnering international recognition for its efforts. Moving forward, continued collaboration between government agencies, financial institutions, and technological innovators will be essential in overcoming obstacles and ensuring that the benefits of financial inclusion reach every corner of society. The PMJDY serves not only as a catalyst for economic growth but also as a beacon of hope for millions striving for a brighter and more prosperous future.
FAQ’s
What is the Jan Dhan Yojana scheme?
The goal of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is to facilitate access to a range of financial services for marginalized communities, including the provision of basic savings bank accounts, access to credit tailored to individual needs, remittance facilities, as well as insurance and pension benefits. This initiative aims to empower excluded sections such as weaker sections and low-income groups by providing them with vital financial resources and opportunities for economic advancement.
What is the function of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana?
The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) serves as a National Mission for Financial Inclusion, with the primary objective of ensuring widespread access to essential financial services. These services encompass basic savings and deposit accounts, remittance facilities, credit options, insurance coverage, and pension schemes, all made available in a cost-effective manner to the populace.
Who is eligible for the PMJDY scheme?
The individual should fall within the age bracket of 18 to 59 years. Additionally, they are expected to be either an earning member of their family or the primary breadwinner.
When was PMJDY launched?
The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was unveiled by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2014. When officially launching the program on August 28, 2014, the Prime Minister characterized the event as a jubilant occasion, likening it to a festival marking the emancipation of the impoverished from a relentless cycle of hardship.
Is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana successful?
Throughout the PMJDY campaign, the banking industry successfully opened nearly 12 crore accounts. However, within the industry, over 67% of these accounts continue to maintain a zero balance.