Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is the Indian government's flagship financial inclusion scheme that lets any citizen open a savings bank account with zero balance, a free RuPay debit card, and built-in insurance cover. If you or a family member doesn't have a bank account yet, this guide explains exactly how to open one, what documents you need, and how to use the benefits in 2026.
What is PM Jan Dhan Yojana?
Launched on 28 August 2014, PMJDY aims to give every unbanked household in India access to basic banking services — savings account, remittance, credit, insurance, and pension — through one simple, no-frills account called a Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA). It is available at every public sector bank, most private banks, and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
Key Benefits of a PMJDY Account
| Minimum Balance | Zero — no minimum balance required, no penalty for non-maintenance |
| RuPay Debit Card | Free, issued with every account |
| Accidental Insurance Cover | ₹2,00,000 (for RuPay cards issued/active after 28 Aug 2018) |
| Life Insurance Cover | ₹30,000 on death of the account holder, subject to eligibility conditions |
| Overdraft Facility | Up to ₹10,000 per account, after 6 months of satisfactory operation |
| Interest on Deposit | As per the bank's applicable savings account interest rate |
Who Can Open a PM Jan Dhan Account?
- ●Any Indian citizen aged 10 years or above without an existing bank account
- ●Individuals from low-income or unbanked households, including daily wage workers and farmers
- ●Minors aged 10+ (account operated jointly with a guardian)
- ●Existing bank customers can also convert their regular savings account to a Jan Dhan (BSBDA) account, subject to bank approval
Documents Required
| Primary KYC document | Aadhaar Card (preferred, allows instant e-KYC) |
| If Aadhaar not available | Any Officially Valid Document (OVD) — Voter ID, Driving Licence, Passport, NREGA Job Card |
| If no OVD at all | Self-attested photograph + Form 60 declaration, for a 'small account' |
| Photograph | 2 recent passport-size photographs |
| PAN Card | Optional, needed only if you plan to deposit more than ₹50,000 at a time |
Aadhaar is not compulsory to open a PMJDY account. If you don't have Aadhaar, the bank can open a 'small account' using any other valid ID with limited transaction and balance caps until you complete full KYC.
How to Open a PM Jan Dhan Account — Step by Step
- 1Visit the official portal at https://pmjdy.gov.in and click the 'Forms' tab in the top menu.
- 2Download the 'Account Opening Form – Individual (English/Hindi)' PDF and print it, or collect the physical form directly from your nearest bank branch or Bank Mitra (Business Correspondent) point.
- 3Fill in your name, address, mobile number, and Aadhaar number (if available) on the form.
- 4Visit your nearest public or private sector bank branch and submit the filled form with a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card and one passport-size photograph.
- 5Complete Aadhaar-based e-KYC (biometric fingerprint or OTP verification) at the branch counter.
- 6Once verified, the bank official opens your Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA) under PMJDY and hands you a passbook on the spot.
- 7Collect your free RuPay Debit Card — it is either handed over immediately or couriered to your address within a few working days.
- 8Activate the RuPay card by using it once at an ATM or POS machine, and set your 4-digit PIN.
- 9To locate the nearest bank branch or Bank Mitra, use the 'Find Your Nearest Bank/BC' option under the 'Progress Report' tab on pmjdy.gov.in.
How to Check Balance and Account Status
- 1Give a missed call to your bank's balance enquiry number (for example, SBI: 9223766666, PNB: 1800-180-2222) from your registered mobile number.
- 2Download your bank's mobile banking app and log in with your registered mobile number to view balance and mini-statement.
- 3Insert your RuPay card at any ATM and select 'Balance Enquiry' or 'Mini Statement'.
- 4Visit the branch passbook-printing kiosk or ask the cashier to update your physical passbook.
Opening a PM Jan Dhan account is completely free. Do not pay any agent, tout, or middleman who asks for money to 'process' your account or overdraft — report such demands to the bank branch manager or the toll-free helpline. The ₹10,000 overdraft is also not automatic; it depends on your account's transaction history and the bank's discretion.
RuPay Card & Insurance Cover Explained
Every PMJDY account comes with a RuPay debit card that doubles as an insurance instrument. To keep the ₹2,00,000 accidental insurance cover active, the card must be used at least once every 90 days (at an ATM, POS, or online) — inactive cards may lose eligibility for the claim. The ₹30,000 life cover applies to accounts opened between 15 August 2014 and 31 January 2015 and continues for accounts meeting the scheme's original enrolment conditions; newer accounts should confirm current life-cover eligibility with their bank.
Unlike regular savings accounts, a PMJDY (BSBDA) account has no minimum balance requirement and no penalty charges for not maintaining one — making it genuinely free to keep active.
Common Problems and Fixes
- ●Account shows 'inoperative': Visit the branch with Aadhaar/ID and do a small deposit or withdrawal to reactivate it.
- ●RuPay card not received: Contact your branch or the toll-free helpline with your account number to request re-dispatch.
- ●Mobile number not linked: Visit the branch with ID proof to update your registered mobile number for missed-call balance checks.
- ●Overdraft request rejected: Ensure the account has been active for at least 6 months with regular transactions before reapplying.
- ●Aadhaar not linked to account: Visit the branch or use net banking/UPI app's 'Link Aadhaar to Bank Account' option to enable DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of subsidies.
Helpline & Support
For any PMJDY-related query, call the Financial Inclusion toll-free helpline at 1800-11-0001 or 1800-180-1111, or visit https://pmjdy.gov.in and check the 'Grievance' section for online complaint submission. You can also approach your bank's nearest branch manager directly for account-specific issues.