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The Ministry of Finance stated on 3 August 2026 that 99.92% of India's inhabited villages now have a banking outlet within a 5 km radius.
Of 6,01,328 inhabited villages, 6,00,868 are covered by a bank branch, a Business Correspondent or an India Post Payments Bank centre.
Coverage is tracked through the Jan Dhan Darshak app, on which banks upload outlet data.
As of 17 July 2026 the network comprised over 1.81 lakh bank branches, 17.36 lakh Business Correspondents and 1.65 lakh IPPB centres.
PMJDY accounts stood at 58.77 crore with deposits of Rs 3,12,414 crore on the same date.
Universal access to banking with a zero-balance account, launched on 28 August 2014 by the Department of Financial Services
Key: 58.77 crore accounts with Rs 3,12,414 crore in deposits as of 17 July 2026; carries RuPay debit card, overdraft facility and accident insurance cover
Deliver banking services where a full branch is not commercially viable
Key: 17.36 lakh BCs act as agents of banks for cash-in, cash-out and account opening in villages and small towns
Use the post office network to deliver payments and remittance services in rural India, launched 1 September 2018
Key: 1.65 lakh access points; a payments bank may accept deposits but cannot lend
Map every banking touchpoint so that gaps in coverage can be identified geographically
Key: Banks upload outlet data to the app, which is the basis of the 99.92% figure
Financial Awareness > Financial inclusion, PMJDY, BC model, payments banks
General Awareness > Government schemes and economy
GS Paper III > Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for
Answer: promoting financial inclusion in the country
What is/are the facility/facilities the beneficiaries can get from the services of Business Correspondent (Bank Saathi) in branchless areas? 1. It enables the beneficiaries to draw their subsidies and social security benefits in their villages. 2. It enables the beneficiaries in the rural areas to make deposits and withdrawals. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: Both 1 and 2
The establishment of 'Payment Banks' is being allowed in India to promote financial inclusion. Which of the following statements is/are correct in this context? 1. Mobile telephone companies and supermarket chains that are owned and controlled by residents are eligible to be promoters of Payment Banks. 2. Payment Banks can issue both credit cards and debit cards. 3. Payment Banks cannot undertake lending activities. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 1 and 3 only
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at
Answer: bringing the small entrepreneurs into formal financial system
What is the purpose of setting up of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India? 1. To supply credit to small business units 2. To supply credit to small and marginal farmers 3. To encourage young entrepreneurs to set up business particularly in rural areas. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: 1 and 2 only
An agent engaged by a bank to provide banking services at locations other than a branch, central to rural last-mile delivery.
A government application that maps banking touchpoints and is the data source for village coverage statistics.
A rural location without a banking outlet; banks must open at least 25% of new branches in such centres.
A differentiated bank that may accept deposits up to a prescribed limit and offer payments services but cannot lend; IPPB is one.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, launched 28 August 2014, the national mission for financial inclusion.