Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, chaired a review meeting with heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), in New Delhi. The review meeting was also attended by senior executives of UIDAI, NABARD, SIDBI , Mudra Ltd. CERSAI & NCGTC.

During the meeting, Dr. Joshi reviewed the progress under various Financial Inclusion schemes including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Atal Pension Yojana (APY), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand Up India, PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar Yojana, Ethanol Blending in Petrol (EBP) and Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) financing etc. He also reviewed the progress of opening of brick & mortar branches of banks in unbanked villages.

Dr. Joshi said that while significant progress has been made in expanding social security and deepening financial inclusion in the country through various flagship schemes of the Government, he urged the PSBs to industriously work towards reaching the last mile to further strengthen financial inclusion initiatives taken by the Government. The issues related to CKYC, Jan Samarth portal & Aadhar seeding etc were also discussed during the meeting.

CEO, UIDAI also took part in the meeting to showcase the new product launched by UIDAI to benefit the banks while undertaking Aadhar authentication.

Dr Joshi requested banks to give more thrust on improving customer experience across banking services.

Financial inclusion: banks urged to strengthen last mile outreach, Aadhaar integration, and branch expansion for unbanked areas. Review of progress under Financial Inclusion schemes focused on implementation of deposit, insurance, pension and micro credit programmes, branch opening in unbanked villages, and operational issues including CKYC, Jan Samarth portal integration and Aadhaar seeding. Banks were urged to intensify last mile outreach, enhance customer experience, adopt a newly showcased Aadhaar authentication product to improve onboarding, and coordinate with agencies to deepen financial inclusion.