Page 12 - NIS English 16-31 Aug, 2026

Years
Jan Dhan Yojana
Cover
Story
Pradhan Share of female
Mantri Jan account holders
Total Jan Dhan Approx.
accounts Dhan Yojana
(As of 8 July 2026) At a Glance 56%
58.70

crore

Total deposits
Approx.

Share of rural and ₹3.10
semi-urban accounts
Approx. lakh crore
78%

Decline in
zero-balance
RuPay cards accounts
issued Approx.
41 Approx. Approx.
8%

crore 70%
2015 2026

meticulously studied the nation’s systems. Drawing tivity, effectively putting an end to the siphoning
upon his prior experience with good governance off of funds meant for the poor. Now, whether it
and a long-term vision, he took systematic steps to is funds for housing construction, LPG subsidies,
empower the person standing at the very last rung MGNREGA wages, or the Kisan Samman Nidhi, all
of the socio-economic ladder and to establish a payments are credited directly to the beneficiaries’
framework for their financial security. The Pradhan accounts. In other words, everyone receives direct
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana became the foundation for benefits, with no discrimination. A mechanism was
all these initiatives. A unique initiative was launched then established to link beneficiaries with schemes
to bring banking services to the doorsteps of the like Stand-Up India, Start-Up India, and MUDRA to
poor. The principle was that the people’s money— empower them. Essentially, the Pradhan Mantri
money that was rightfully theirs—must reach them Jan-Dhan Yojana has become the foundation for all
directly. With this comprehensive vision, the central schemes that foster entrepreneurship while provid-
government created a powerful “trinity” comprising ing a safety cover of socio-economic security.
Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and mobile connec- There was a time when the prevailing mindset

10 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || Aug 16-31, 2026