Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana: Details, Eligibility, and Benefits.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a financial inclusion mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It aims to provide countless unbanked Indian citizens access to mainstream financial services.

Read on to learn more about Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’s online application procedure, the eligibility criteria and more!

What is PMJDY?

The objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is to remove financial untouchability and ensure financial inclusion. It allows people from underprivileged communities to open a savings bank deposit if they don’t have one. From banking/savings & deposit accounts to credit, remittance, pension and insurance – Jan Dhan subscribers can unlock a bunch of benefits with their accounts.

The scheme has not only set itself a noble goal but also consistently delivered on its promises. It was launched on 28th August 2014. As of October 2022, over 47 crore citizens were enrolled in the scheme. So, what attracts people to PMJDY in such large numbers?

Let us now dive deep and understand. 

PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme – Basic Information

Here’s a snapshot of the features of the PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme: 

How to Open a Jan Dhan Account?

To open a PM Jan Dhan Yojana Account, you need to follow the mentioned steps:

1. Download the PMJDY form from Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’s website. Alternatively, you may collect it from the nearby bank branch.

2. Submit the form and supporting documents to open the Jan Dhan Yojana account. You have to visit the bank branch and submit the required documents. Complete the KYC form and submit it for verification.

3. After the verification, your PMJDY account will be activated.

*Note: Appointing a nominee is crucial. It will ensure that the money gets transferred to your contender in case of the account holder’s untimely demise. 

Also Read: Best High Risk Mutual Funds to Invest in 2023

Eligibility Criteria for a Jan Dhan Yojana Account

Since this scheme aims to bring millions of unbanked citizens into the mainstream financial system, the eligibility criteria are highly inclusive. You need to fulfil the following conditions to open a PMJDY Account:

• Applicants must be citizens of India.
• They must be at least 10 years old.
• They must not have another bank account registered in their name.

Documents Required to Open a Jan Dhan Yojana Account

To open a Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Account, you need the following documents:

1. If the applicant has an Aadhar card or number, they won’t require any other document. However, if the official address of the applicant has changed, self-certification of the present address is mandatory.
2. If an applicant does not have an Aadhar card, they can apply using any of the below documents:

• PAN card
• Voter ID card
• Passport
• Driving licence
• NREGA

If you do not have the above-listed documents and the banks categorise them as low-risk, you can apply for a PMJDY account using any of the following documents:

1. An ID card with the applicant’s photo issued by Government departments (Central or state), regulatory/statutory bodies, public financial institutions, commercial banks and public sector undertakings.
2. A letter from a gazetted officer that contains a duly-attested photo of the applicant

Benefits of the Jan Dhan account 

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana offers the following benefits:

1. The scheme provides Accident Insurance worth Rs.1 lakh. However, it is revised to 2 lakhs for the PMJDY accounts opened after 28-08-2018.
   A claim under personal accidental insurance for PMJDY will be payable only if the RuPay cardholder has performed a successful RuPay card-related financial transaction within 90 days preceding the accident.
2. Under PMJDY, you will receive a RuPay debit card free of charge. You can use the card at ATMs, online merchants, and point-of-sale machines.
3. Like all savings schemes, you can earn interest on your deposits. However, it must be remembered that the PMJDY  will be subject to the interest rate of a savings bank account.
4. Government program beneficiaries will receive direct payments in their Jan Dhan accounts.
5. You may obtain an overdraft of up to Rs 10,000. However, this only applies to one account per household. Accounts are eligible for overdraft after a satisfactory operation for six months.
6. You can transfer funds at any time using your PMJD account.
7. You do not need to deposit a minimum amount or maintain any balance. However, if you wish to get a chequebook, you must fulfil the bank’s minimum balance criteria, if any. 
8. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana provides financial services to rural communities and underprivileged people, bringing them into banking services.
9. As a PMJDY account holder, you are eligible for the following government schemes:

• Atal Pension Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
• Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank scheme.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. 
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

10. You can apply for the PM Jan Dhan Yojana online without hassles. This saves you the hassle of waiting in long queues at the bank.

Also Read: How to Deposit Money in Sukanya Samriddhi Account Online?

Rate of Interest for PMJDY Scheme

Many public and private sector banks offer the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme. The interest rate on these savings accounts varies from bank to bank, ranging between 2.5% and 5%. Typically, public sector banks offer a higher interest rate. 

Banks Offering the  Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme

Here is a list of public and private sector banks offering the PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana scheme:

Public Sector Banks offering PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana scheme: 

• State Bank of India 
• Bank of Baroda (BoB)
• Union Bank of India
• Punjab & Sind Bank
• Dena Bank
• Allahabad Bank
• Syndicate Bank
• Vijaya Bank
• Central Bank of India
• Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Indian Bank
• IDBI Bank
• Corporation Bank
• Canara Bank
• Bank of India (BoI)
• Bank of Maharashtra
• Andhra Bank
• Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC)

Private Sector banks offering  PM’s Jan Dhan Yojana scheme :

• Axis Bank Ltd.
• ICICI Bank Ltd.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
• Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd.
• YES Bank Ltd.
• HDFC Bank Ltd.
• Karnataka Bank Ltd.
• IndusInd Bank Ltd.
• Federal Bank Ltd.

Final Thoughts

As a financial inclusion programme for the country’s underprivileged population, the PMJDY ticks many boxes. First and foremost, it introduces non-banked people, regardless of their income, to modern banking services. Secondly, you can open an account with zero balance and earn interest on the deposits. Lastly, the Jan Dhan account unlocks various benefits – from accident insurance to RuPay debit cards.

With crores of beneficiary banks, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is undoubtedly promoting financial inclusivity one account at a time.

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