Ministry of Finance
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Zero-balance savings account + free RuPay debit card + ₹2 lakh accident insurance cover + overdraft facility up to ₹10,000 (after 6 months of good account behaviour) + direct benefit transfer (DBT) for all government scheme payments
Overdraft up to ₹10,000 once after 6 months · insurance benefits on claim
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is India's largest financial inclusion mission launched on 28 August 2014 to ensure every Indian household has access to at least one basic savings bank account. The scheme provides zero-balance accounts, free RuPay debit cards, ₹2 lakh accident insurance, ₹30,000 life insurance (PMJJBY, for eligible holders), overdraft facility up to ₹10,000, and direct benefit transfer (DBT) enrollment for all government scheme payments. As of March 2026, over 57.86 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened with total deposits exceeding ₹3.03 lakh crore.
Am I Eligible?
Quick check — answer 3 questions
Is your age between 10 and 100 years?
Is your annual family income under ₹1 Cr?
Do you live in India?
Benefit Details
Zero-balance savings account + free RuPay debit card + ₹2 lakh accident insurance cover + overdraft facility up to ₹10,000 (after 6 months of good account behaviour) + direct benefit transfer (DBT) for all government scheme payments
Provided by Central Government
Overdraft up to ₹10,000 once after 6 months · insurance benefits on claim
Eligibility Criteria
Indian citizen aged 10 years and above; no minimum balance required; does not already have a bank account; identity proof not mandatory — Aadhaar alone is sufficient; migrants can open accounts with self-declaration of address at any bank branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra)
10 to 100 years
Up to ₹1 Cr / year
Rural & Urban (Both)
Required Documents
💡 Tip: Keep original documents and 2 photocopies ready. Self-attest all photocopies.
How to Apply
Choose Your Bank Branch
offlineVisit any public sector bank (SBI, PNB, BOI, BOB, etc.), private bank (HDFC, ICICI), RRB (Regional Rural Bank), or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) in your area. For rural areas, Bank Mitras can open Jan Dhan accounts at your doorstep.
Collect and Fill Account Opening Form
offlineAsk for the "PMJDY Account Opening Form" (Form A). Fill in your name, address, mobile number, Aadhaar number, nominee details, and occupation. The form is in Hindi and English. If you need help, the bank officer assists you.
Submit KYC Documents
offlineSubmit Aadhaar card (original + photocopy) and a passport-size photo. Aadhaar alone is sufficient — it serves as both identity and address proof. Accounts can also be opened with voter ID, NREGA card, or PAN card as alternatives.
Account Opened Instantly
offlineThe bank verifies your Aadhaar biometrically → account opens instantly → you receive an account number, passbook, and a free RuPay debit card (delivered within 7–10 days). No minimum balance required. You can start using DBT services immediately.
Activate Overdraft After 6 Months
offlineAfter maintaining your account satisfactorily for 6 months (regular transactions, no negative balance), apply for overdraft up to ₹10,000 at your bank branch. This is a short-term credit facility without collateral. Useful for emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Summary
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35 kg of wheat/rice per family per month — at ₹2/kg for wheat and ₹3/kg for rice under AAY; free of cost under PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) till December 2029
DigiLocker
Free secure cloud storage for 1,500+ official documents linked to Aadhaar; documents have legal validity equal to physical originals; no need to carry physical documents for verification; share documents instantly with government agencies, banks, and educational institutions
⚠️ Disclaimer: Information is compiled from official government sources for guidance purposes. Eligibility and benefits may vary. Always verify with the official portal or nearest government office before applying.
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