About the Scheme

• In 2014, the government launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) to bring about comprehensive financial inclusion in the country.
• PMJDY envisages universal access to banking facilities with at least one basic banking account for ‘every adult’, financial literacy, access to credit, insurance and pension facility.

Features of PMJDY

• Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened by persons not having any other account. 
• There is no requirement to maintain any minimum balance in PMJDY accounts.
• Interest is earned on the deposit in PMJDY accounts.
• Rupay Debit card is provided to PMJDY account holders.
• Accident Insurance Cover of Rs.2 lakh is available with RuPay card issued to the PMJDY account holders.
• An overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders is available.
• PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Bank (MUDRA) scheme.

Why in News?

• More than 54 crore zero-balance bank accounts have been opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. 
• 55 percent of the Jan Dhan bank accounts are opened by women, whereas 66 percent of the beneficiaries of the scheme are from the rural and semi-urban sectors of society.

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/more-than-54-cr-zero-balance-bank-accounts-opened-under-pmjdy-mos-for-corporate-affairs-harsh-malhotra/