A Comparative Review of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in Maharashtra and India

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) with a focus on Maharashtra, one of India’s economically advanced yet regionally diverse states. Using secondary data from government portals, financial databases, and institutional reports spanning 2014–2025, the study evaluates the scheme’s performance in terms of account penetration, deposit mobilization, RuPay card activation, gender inclusion, and rural-urban coverage. While Maharashtra shows superior metrics in total deposits and account saturation, particularly in urban districts like Mumbai and Pune, significant disparities persist in tribal and rural areas due to inadequate infrastructure, limited financial literacy, and uneven access to banking correspondents.

The findings reveal that Maharashtra’s success under PMJDY is dual-faceted—urban efficiency coexists with rural exclusion. Through district-level comparisons and visual data representation, the study highlights the structural, geographic, and socio-economic factors influencing policy outcomes. It emphasizes the need for tailored interventions, improved data transparency, and region-specific outreach to strengthen financial inclusion. The study recommends focused interventions to narrow intra-state disparity to maximize PMJDY’s effectiveness as a vehicle for inclusive development in India.