Under the Swabhimaan campaign, the banks were advised to provide appropriate banking facilities to habitations having a population in excess of 2000 (as per 2001 census) by March 2012. The banks identified approximately 74000 habitations across the country having a population of over 2000 for providing banking facilities. As per reports received from Banks, 74351 villages with population of above 2000 have been covered with banking facilities either by branches; Business Correspondents, mobile banking etc by March 31, 2012.

Census, 2011 estimated that out of 24.67 crore households in the country, 14.48 crore (58.7%) households had access to banking services. With a view to increase banking penetration and promoting financial inclusion and with the main objective of covering all households with at least one bank account per household across the country, a National Mission on Financial Inclusion named as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 28th August, 2014 at national level by Hon’ble Prime Minister. Under the Yojana 21.56 crore accounts have been opened till 13.04.2016 and 99.99% households out of the 21.22 crore households surveyed have been covered.

This was stated by Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.

Financial inclusion expanded through targeted banking facility mandates leading to widespread household account coverage under national scheme. Banks were directed under the Swabhimaan campaign to provide banking facilities to habitations above the 2000 population threshold by March 2012; banks identified about 74,000 habitations and reported coverage of 74,351 by March 31, 2012 via branches, Business Correspondents and mobile banking. Subsequently, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched to extend household account coverage, reporting substantial account openings and near-universal coverage among surveyed households.