99.92% of inhabited villages now have a banking outlet within 5 km
India has achieved near-universal banking coverage, with 99.92% of inhabited villages served by a banking outlet within 5 km, the Finance Ministry said on 3 August 2026.
Summary
The Finance Ministry said on 3 August 2026 that India has achieved near-universal banking coverage, with 99.92% of inhabited villages (6,00,868 of 6,01,328) served by a bank branch, business correspondent or India Post Payments Bank outlet within 5 km, as per the Jan Dhan Darshak app. The network includes over 1.81 lakh bank branches, 17.36 lakh business correspondents and 1.65 lakh IPPB centres. RBI allows banks to open branches anywhere without prior approval, provided 25% are in unbanked rural areas. As many as 58.77 crore PMJDY accounts have been opened, holding ₹3,12,414 crore.
Key facts
- Coverage
- 99.92% of inhabited villages (6,00,868 of 6,01,328)
- Norm
- Banking outlet within 5 km
- Data source
- Jan Dhan Darshak app
- Network
- 1.81 lakh branches, 17.36 lakh BCs, 1.65 lakh IPPB centres
- PMJDY
- 58.77 crore accounts, ₹3,12,414 crore balance
- RBI rule
- 25% of new branches in unbanked rural areas
Practice MCQs 3 questions
As reported in August 2026, what share of India's inhabited villages is served by a banking outlet within 5 km?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 99.92%
99.92% of inhabited villages (6,00,868 of 6,01,328) are served by a banking outlet within 5 km.
The coverage of villages by banking outlets is tracked using data uploaded by banks on which app?
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Correct answer: B — Jan Dhan Darshak
The figures are based on data uploaded by banks on the Jan Dhan Darshak (JDD) app.
Consider the following statements: 1. RBI permits banks to open branches anywhere without prior approval, provided 25% of them are in unbanked rural areas. 2. More than 75 crore PMJDY accounts had been opened as of August 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: 58.77 crore PMJDY accounts had been opened.