On 28 August 2014 PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana for comprehensive financial inclusion by saying "Let us celebrate today as the day of financial freedom."

PM Modi had announced this scheme on his first Independence Day speech on 15 August 2014.

Unveiling the scheme within 100 days of forming the new government, it aims to cover 7.5 crore people by January 26, 2015.

On the inauguration day, 1.5 Crore (15 million) bank accounts were opened under this scheme.[2][3]

SBI had opened 11,300 camps for Jan Dhan Yojana over 30 lakhs accounts were opened so far, which include 21.16 lakh accounts in rural areas and 8.8 lakh accounts in urban areas. On the contrast, even taking together all the major private sector banks, have opened just 5.8 lakh accounts

Five important features of the PM Jan Dhan Yojna

1. Under the scheme, account holders will be provided zero-balance bank account with RuPay debit card, in addition to accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh.

2. Those who open accounts by January 26, 2015 over and above the Rs1 lakh accident, they will be given life insurance cover of Rs 30,000.

3. Six months of opening of the bank account, holders can avail Rs 5,000 loan from the bank.

4. With the introduction of new technology introduced by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a person can transfer funds, check balance through a normal phone which was earlier limited only to smart phones so far.

5. Mobile banking for the poor would be available through National Unified USSD Platform (NUUP) for which all banks and mobile companies have come together.