Jan Dhan at a glance
| Account | Basic savings bank deposit account, no minimum balance |
|---|---|
| Who can open | Any Indian resident aged 10 or more |
| Debit card | Free RuPay card |
| Accident cover | ₹2 lakh on the RuPay card (accounts opened after 28 August 2018) |
| Overdraft | Up to ₹10,000 for ages 18–65, at the bank’s discretion |
| Interest | Same as the bank’s savings account rate |
| Where to open | Any bank branch or business correspondent (bank mitra) |
What a Jan Dhan account gives you
- No minimum balance and no charge for a zero balance; at least four free withdrawals a month, including ATM withdrawals.
- A RuPay debit card for ATMs, shops and online payments, with accident insurance built in.
- Direct benefit transfer: LPG subsidy, PM Kisan, scholarships and pensions are paid straight into the account.
- An overdraft of up to ₹10,000 once the account has a track record.
- Access to low-cost insurance and pension: PMJJBY, PMSBY and Atal Pension Yojana can all be linked to it.
- Mobile banking and UPI, like any other savings account.
The ₹10,000 overdraft
Banks can let a Jan Dhan account holder aged 18 to 65 withdraw more than the balance, up to ₹10,000. Up to ₹2,000 is allowed without conditions; beyond that, the bank looks at how the account has been used, usually six months of regular credits. The overdraft is a loan: it carries interest, must be repaid, and is limited to one per household, usually the woman of the house.
Accident insurance on the RuPay card
Accounts opened after 28 August 2018 come with ₹2 lakh of accidental death and disability cover on the RuPay card; older accounts have ₹1 lakh. The family can claim only if the card was used at least once (at an ATM, a shop, or online) in the 90 days before the accident. Using the card once a month or so keeps the cover alive.
How to open a Jan Dhan account
Visit any bank branch or a business correspondent (bank mitra) and ask for a PMJDY account. You need one officially valid document: Aadhaar, voter ID, driving licence, passport, NREGA job card or a letter from the National Population Register. If Aadhaar has your current address, nothing else is needed.
Without any document, you can still open a small account with a self-attested photograph and your signature or thumbprint in front of a bank official. It is limited to a balance of ₹50,000, deposits of ₹1 lakh a year and withdrawals of ₹10,000 a month, and lasts 12 months, extendable by 12 more if you apply for an identity document in the meantime.
Jan Dhan vs a regular savings account
- Minimum balance: none in Jan Dhan; regular accounts often need ₹1,000 to ₹10,000, with charges if you fall short.
- Withdrawals: Jan Dhan accounts may limit free withdrawals to four a month; regular accounts are more flexible.
- Extras: the accident cover and overdraft are specific to Jan Dhan.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of a Jan Dhan account?
A savings account with no minimum balance, a free RuPay debit card with ₹2 lakh of accident insurance, an overdraft of up to ₹10,000 for eligible account holders, and a direct route for government subsidies and benefits (DBT).
Is there any minimum balance in a Jan Dhan account?
No. Jan Dhan accounts are basic savings bank deposit accounts, so no minimum balance is needed and no charge is levied for keeping the balance at zero.
How do I get the ₹10,000 overdraft in Jan Dhan?
The bank can allow an overdraft of up to ₹10,000 to an account holder aged 18 to 65 whose account has been run satisfactorily for about six months, with regular credits. Up to ₹2,000 is given without conditions. It is at the bank’s discretion and carries interest.
How does the Jan Dhan accident insurance work?
The RuPay card issued with accounts opened after 28 August 2018 carries ₹2 lakh of accident cover (₹1 lakh for older accounts). A claim is paid only if the card was used for at least one transaction in the 90 days before the accident.
Can I open a Jan Dhan account without documents?
Yes, as a “small account”, with a self-attested photograph and your signature or thumbprint in front of a bank official. It has limits (balance up to ₹50,000, deposits up to ₹1 lakh a year, withdrawals up to ₹10,000 a month) and is valid for 12 months, extendable by 12 more once you apply for an identity document.
Can I have a Jan Dhan account if I already have a savings account?
A basic savings bank deposit account is meant for people without another savings account in the same bank. If you already hold one, the bank will usually ask you to close it, or convert it into a Jan Dhan account.
Sources
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana – official site
- Department of Financial Services – financial inclusion
- Reserve Bank of India – basic savings bank deposit accounts
Last checked on 6 October 2026. Overdraft and insurance benefits are subject to the bank's and insurer's conditions.