HM Amit Shah Hails 11 Years Of PMJDY As Step Towards Self-Reliant India

On the 11th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the scheme as the world’s largest banking initiative, underscoring its profound impact on financial inclusion and socio-economic empowerment.

Describing the launch as a visionary move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah called it a pivotal step towards a self-reliant India.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Home Minister remarked, “Exactly 11 years ago today, for the financial inclusion of the poor, women, farmers, and deprived sections, Modi ji launched the world’s largest banking initiative.”

He added that PMJDY had successfully connected a vast section of the population to essential financial services previously out of reach for decades.

More than 56 crore Jan Dhan account holders, nearly 56% of whom are women, are now reaping benefits from multiple government schemes.

These include access to banking services, insurance, pensions, and direct benefit transfers (DBT), which are collectively helping build a developed and inclusive India.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the scheme’s contribution to national growth.

“When the last mile is financially connected, the entire nation moves forward together. That is exactly what the PM Jan Dhan Yojana achieved. It enhanced dignity and gave people the power to script their own destiny,” the post read.

Rural Reach and Digital Growth

According to government data, over 67% of PMJDY accounts are located in rural or semi-urban areas, furthering financial access in regions that were previously underserved.

The scheme has also played a vital role in increasing digital transactions, thanks to the distribution of 38 crore RuPay cards.

Transactions via RuPay cards at PoS and e-commerce platforms rose from 67 crore in FY 2017–18 to nearly 94 crore in FY 2024–25, demonstrating the deepening of digital financial habits across the country.

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary launched nationwide saturation campaigns to ensure that every household opens a bank account and every adult secures insurance and pension coverage.

These drives, running until 30 September, will see camps set up in 2.7 lakh gram panchayats to help people open PMJDY accounts and enrol in social security schemes.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that PMJDY has become a central platform for delivering welfare benefits, boosting savings, investments, credit access, and social security.

Total deposit balances under PMJDY have reached ₹2,67,756 crore, while both the number of accounts and deposit volumes have seen a three-fold and twelve-fold increase, respectively.

The 11th anniversary of PMJDY marks not just a celebration but a reaffirmation of India’s journey towards financial empowerment and inclusive development.

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