Page 11 - NIS English 16-31 Aug, 2026

Years
Jan Dhan Yojana
Cover
1 Story
Leela Bai Porte, a resident of Jashpur district in Chhattisgarh, lives in a six-member household

and works as an agricultural worker. Back in 2015, the nearest bank was 7 kilometers away from
her village, Karmitikra, and the family had no bank account. A ‘Bank Mitra’ visited the
village and opened an account for her using a small portable device; later,
he also helped her fill out a form for the Jeevan Jyoti insurance scheme.
That same year, her husband passed away due to heatstroke. She
felt helpless and was in deep mental and financial distress. When
the Bank Mitra was informed of the situation, he provided
details about the insurance coverage available under the social
security scheme. He visited her home, helped fill out the
necessary forms, and submitted them to the office, resulting in
a payout of ₹2 lakh being credited to her account. In that
hour of crisis, the financial aid provided her with a lifeline
and a means to move forward.

2

Gajendra Singh, a resident of Panihar village in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, opened an account
under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana in August 2014. Before this, he had neither
a bank account nor any knowledge of the banking system. He is a marginal farmer. After

opening an account at the Barai branch of the Central Bank of India, Gajendra Singh began
using it. He also spread awareness about the benefits of the account in neighboring villages. His
understanding of financial inclusion has also grown significantly.

T he success stories of Pradhan Mantri Jan unbanked out of the cycle of poverty by connecting

them to banking and financial services. This scheme
Dhan Yojana beneficiaries—imbued with
a sense of self-satisfaction, self-respect,
was implemented within a mere 15 days of its
and dignity—extend far beyond the mere
opening of a bank account. Over the past 12 years, announcement. Serving as the cornerstone of a
people-centric economic initiative, the scheme went
these stories have borne witness to a transforma- a step beyond the “every household” approach to
tive era in the socio-economic landscape. A robust ensure that “every adult” possessed a bank account.
economy drives revolutionary change in any society, When the poor gained access to a Jan Dhan
and the fundamental basis for financial security account—a seemingly small step—it awakened
within that economy is the bank account. The impact their sense of self-respect. Even the un -
of the Jan Dhan Yojana has not been limited to just derprivileged have contributed t o
opening accounts; throughout its 12-year journey, it savings worth lakhs of crores
has heralded big and lasting changes across multiple of rupees.
levels. It has reshaped India’s image in the social, When Prime Minister Na-
economic, technological, and global spheres. rendra Modi took charge
On August 15, 2014, Jan Dhan Yojana was an- of the central govern-
nounced with the aim of lifting the poor and the ment in 2014, he