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Social securityCentral schemeLaunched 2014

PM Jan Dhan Yojana — Zero-Balance Bank Account

A financial inclusion scheme providing a basic savings account with no minimum balance requirement, a RuPay debit card with insurance cover, and access to an overdraft facility.

Administered by Ministry of Finance — Department of Financial Services.

Last updated

Official source last verified 9 August 2026

At a glance

Minimum balance
None
Debit card
RuPay card with built-in accident insurance cover
Overdraft
Available subject to eligibility and satisfactory operation
Where to open
Any bank branch or business correspondent
Cost
Free

Who this scheme is for

  • Anyone without a bank account, which is the primary purpose of the scheme.
  • Households needing an account to receive direct benefit transfers from government schemes.

Benefits

  • A basic savings bank deposit account with no minimum balance requirement, so the account cannot go into negative charges for being empty.
  • A RuPay debit card with accident insurance cover built in, subject to the usage conditions the scheme sets.
  • An overdraft facility after a period of satisfactory account operation, subject to eligibility.
  • Access to direct benefit transfers, which require a bank account to receive.
  • Interest on deposits, as with any savings account.
  • A route into the Jan Suraksha insurance and pension schemes, which are linked to a bank account.

Eligibility

  • Any Indian citizen aged 10 or above can open an account. Accounts for minors are operated by a guardian.
  • A person who already has a bank account does not need a separate Jan Dhan account — an existing basic savings account can usually be converted.
  • Full KYC is required for a regular account. A small account with limited operation can be opened with a self-attested photograph and signature where full KYC documents are not available.

Documents required

  • Aadhaar, which alone is sufficient for opening an account
  • Where Aadhaar is not available: voter ID, driving licence, PAN, passport or MGNREGA job card
  • Two photographs
  • Where no officially valid document is available, a small account can be opened with a self-attested photograph and signature in the presence of a bank official

How to apply

  1. Visit any bank branch, or a business correspondent — often called a bank mitra — operating in your area.
  2. Ask for the Jan Dhan account opening form, available in English, Hindi and regional languages.
  3. Complete it with your details and nominee information.
  4. Submit Aadhaar or another accepted identity document with photographs.
  5. The account is normally opened the same day, and the RuPay card issued shortly afterwards.
  6. Activate the card and set a PIN, since the insurance cover depends on the card being used within the period the scheme specifies.
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana — pmjdy.gov.inThe official portal for this scheme.https://pmjdy.gov.in/(opens the official website in a new tab)

The insurance cover has conditions

The accident insurance built into the RuPay card is not automatic simply because you hold the card. The scheme requires the card to have been used within a specified period before the incident for the cover to be active.

This is the single most misunderstood part of the scheme, and it is why an inactive card is worth less than people assume. Using the card occasionally — even for a small transaction — keeps the cover live.

The overdraft is not automatic either

  • It becomes available after a period of satisfactory account operation, not on opening.
  • It is subject to eligibility criteria set by the bank, including age limits.
  • It is credit, and it is repayable. Treat it as a short-term facility, not as additional income.
  • Ask your branch what your account currently qualifies for rather than assuming a headline figure applies to you.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to maintain a minimum balance in a Jan Dhan account?
No. It is a basic savings bank deposit account with no minimum balance requirement, which means the account cannot accumulate penalty charges for being empty. That is a meaningful difference from an ordinary savings account.
Is the accident insurance automatic?
No. The cover attached to the RuPay card requires the card to have been used within a period the scheme specifies before the incident. An unused card can mean no cover. Use the card occasionally and confirm the current condition with your bank.
Can I open a Jan Dhan account if I already have a bank account?
You do not need a second account. An existing basic savings account can usually be converted, and the scheme is designed for people without an account. Ask your bank rather than opening a duplicate.
What if I have no identity documents?
A small account can be opened with a self-attested photograph and signature in the presence of a bank official. It has limits on the balance and transaction volume, and is intended as a route to a full account once documents are obtained.

Official sources

Every figure on this page is traceable to the official source below. If a source has changed since the date shown, please tell us and we will correct it.