PM Jan Dhan Account 2026: benefits, documents, how to open and overdraft facility

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is a central government scheme run by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. A basic savings account can be opened at any bank branch or Bank Mitra outlet by a person who has no other account, with no minimum balance. The account comes with a free RuPay debit card (accident cover of ₹2 lakh for accounts opened after 28 August 2018) and an overdraft of up to ₹10,000 for eligible account holders. This guide explains the benefits, documents, steps and complaint routes, using only official pages (pmjdy.gov.in, pib.gov.in and rbi.org.in).

What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and who can open an account?

The official scheme page calls PMJDY a National Mission for Financial Inclusion. Its aim is to give people affordable access to a basic savings account, remittance, credit, insurance and pension. It was launched on 28 August 2014 and is run by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. The accounts themselves are opened by banks.

A basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened at any bank branch or at a Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet by persons who do not have any other account. The Press Information Bureau describes it as one basic account for every unbanked adult, and says any Indian citizen who can open a standard bank account can also open a BSBD account. The pages we read do not state an income limit, a minimum age or rules for minors, so ask the bank about those.

What benefits does a Jan Dhan account give?

These benefits are stated on the official scheme page and in PIB releases:

• No minimum balance is required, and interest is earned on the deposit.
• No account opening fee and no maintenance charges.
• A free RuPay debit card with built-in accident insurance.
• Free cash deposit at the branch, ATMs and CDMs, and free receipt of money through electronic channels or government cheques. There is no limit on the number or value of deposits in a month.
• At least four free withdrawals a month, including ATM withdrawals. Later withdrawals may be charged by banks.
• In a fully KYC-compliant account, no restriction on balance or on the amount of transactions.
• Eligibility for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), PMJJBY, PMSBY, Atal Pension Yojana and MUDRA.

Bank Mitras help with deposits, withdrawals and mini-statements where there is no branch nearby.

How do the RuPay card accident cover and the ₹10,000 overdraft work?

Accident cover. The scheme page states cover of ₹1 lakh, raised to ₹2 lakh for new accounts opened after 28.8.2018, with the RuPay card. Older RuPay insurance circulars on pmjdy.gov.in say the policy pays for accidental death and permanent total disability, not for natural death or illness. They also required the card to have been used for a transaction within a set number of days before the accident (45 or 90 days in the 2016-17 FAQ). The current terms are not on the scheme page, so ask your bank and keep using the card.

Overdraft. The scheme page says an overdraft of up to ₹10,000 is available to eligible account holders. The government’s continuation decision raised the limit from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, removed conditions for overdraft up to ₹2,000, and set the age limit at 18 to 65 years. The mission document says an overdraft is credit, not a grant, so it must be repaid. Present interest and eligibility rules are not on the scheme page.

Which documents are needed? KYC and the small account

The RBI’s KYC guidance lists the documents for an individual. You need one officially valid document (or its e-document): passport, driving licence, proof of possession of Aadhaar number, Voter ID, NREGA job card signed by a State Government officer, or a National Population Register letter. You also need PAN or Form 60, and the bank may ask for other documents.

Aadhaar number is not mandatory for KYC, but you must provide it to receive a benefit or subsidy under a scheme notified under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.

Small account (Chota Khata). If you have no officially valid document, you can still open a small account. The bank takes a self-attested photograph, and you sign or put your thumb impression in front of a bank officer. It stays valid for 12 months and can be extended by another 12 months if you submit proof of applying for an officially valid document within the first year.

How to open a Jan Dhan account step by step

1. Go to the nearest bank branch or Bank Mitra outlet. Banks have also held account-opening camps at Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies.
2. Say that you want a PMJDY (Jan Dhan) basic savings account.
3. Fill in the one-page account opening form. Hindi and English forms are on the pmjdy.gov.in home page. Name a nominee with address and relationship.
4. Give your identity documents. If you have Aadhaar, the bank may use e-KYC, a paperless process done with your consent and biometric authentication.
5. Collect your RuPay debit card and ask the bank to link your mobile number and Aadhaar, so that DBT money can reach the account.

Use only the official website pmjdy.gov.in for forms and information. Do not pay anyone to open the account; the pages we read mention no charge for opening it.

How to check your balance and use the account

The mission document lists the basic services as cash deposit and withdrawal, transfer, balance enquiry and mini-statement, through the branch, ATM, Bank Mitra and mobile banking. It also says mobile banking is available over SMS, and describes dialling *99# for balance enquiry and mini-statement. That description dates from 2014, so ask your bank whether it works for you.

DBT money. Government payments are credited to the account that is linked to your Aadhaar. If you expect a payment, check the account entry and ask the bank to confirm that Aadhaar is linked.

Keep the account active. PIB says banks are contacting holders of inoperative PMJDY accounts. Use the card or the account from time to time, and keep your KYC up to date.

Common problems and what to do

Problem	What to do
Bank asks for a document you do not have	Ask whether a small account can be opened.
RuPay card or PIN not working	Visit the branch. You can also file a complaint under the topic RuPay Card or PIN on the PMJDY complaint form.
Overdraft refused	Ask the branch for the eligibility rules. The complaint form has an Overdraft topic.
Account marked inoperative or KYC due	Visit your branch with documents. Banks must give advance notice and reminders for periodic KYC updation.
Bank Mitra problem	Report it to the branch or use the Bank Mitra topic on the complaint form.

Beware of fraud. RBI warns people to be careful with links in SMS or email about KYC updation, as these may be fraudulent. Do the KYC update only at your branch, with the Bank Mitra or at an official camp.

Helpline and where to complain

• National toll-free numbers on pmjdy.gov.in: 1800 11 0001 and 1800 180 1111.
• Complaint and feedback form: the User Feedback page on pmjdy.gov.in accepts feedback, suggestions, complaints and information requests. It also has a status enquiry using your email or mobile number.
• PMJDY Mission Office: Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Jeevan Deep Building, Parliament Street, New Delhi 110001. Phone 011-23361571, email missionfi@nic.in.
• Your bank: complain to the branch first.
• Reserve Bank of India: the Complaints page on rbi.org.in links to the portal for complaints against banks and to the Ombudsman Scheme.

When you complain, note the date, branch name, account number (do not share your PIN or OTP) and what went wrong.

Recent changes and key dates

Date	What happened
28 Aug 2014	PMJDY launched.
After 28 Aug 2018	Mission continued with changes: overdraft limit raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, overdraft age limit 18 to 65, accident cover ₹2 lakh for new accounts.
1 Jul to 30 Sep 2025	Nationwide campaign at all Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies: re-KYC, new PMJDY accounts, PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY enrolment, and nomination updates.
13 Aug 2025	PIB reported 56.16 crore PMJDY accounts and deposits of ₹2,67,756 crore.
7 Oct 2026	The PMJDY progress report shows 59.54 crore beneficiaries, deposits of ₹3,20,947.17 crore and 41.75 crore RuPay cards issued.