Financial Inclusion Campaign to Cover 2.7 Lakh Bodies

The financial inclusion campaign announced by the finance ministry will run as a nationwide drive from October 21 to December 31, covering 2.70 lakh gram panchayats and urban local bodies across India. In a statement, the ministry said the campaign aims to saturate financial inclusion schemes and other key interventions at the grassroots level. Banks will conduct camps for enrolments, Aadhaar seeding and re-KYC, while updating nominations in savings accounts and other facilities wherever pending. The Department of Financial Services will oversee the exercise, with progress to be closely monitored by the state administration, banks and the department.

What the financial inclusion campaign will cover

During the financial inclusion campaign, banks will organise camps for enrolments under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and the Atal Pension Yojana, with the Atal Pension Yojana expected to see the largest enrolment push. Aadhaar seeding in the two insurance schemes, opening of new Jan Dhan accounts, re-KYC for existing Jan Dhan and other savings accounts, and generation of C-KYC identity wherever pending will also be carried out. Besides, nominations in savings accounts and facilities such as lockers will be updated wherever pending. The financial inclusion drive reflects the government's commitment to bringing citizens at the last mile into the formal financial system.

Focus on farmers and crop insurance in the financial inclusion drive

The financial inclusion drive will also source Kisan Credit Card applications to support the objective of saturating eligible PM-Kisan beneficiaries. Enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be promoted to support Kisan Credit Card account saturation ahead of the upcoming Rabi season. Officials said banks have been asked to work with state governments to identify gaps in coverage so that eligible farmers are not left out of credit and insurance schemes. The financial inclusion campaign thus links banking access with agricultural support, ensuring that crop insurance and working capital credit reach small and marginal farmers.

Awareness sessions on digital fraud and unclaimed assets

Beyond enrolments, the financial inclusion campaign will include awareness sessions on financial inclusion schemes, digital frauds and unclaimed financial assets under the Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar initiative. As digital payments and online banking expand in rural India, the government is keen to pair access with education so that new customers can spot frauds and protect their savings. The campaign's awareness component will be run through the bank camps, with local language material and on-ground staff to answer queries. Officials said the financial inclusion campaign builds on the Jan Dhan Yojana's foundation, which brought hundreds of millions of Indians into the banking system over the past decade.

How banks and states will run the financial inclusion campaign

A preparatory meeting with senior bank management and State Level Bankers Committees was held under the chairmanship of the Joint Secretary for Financial Inclusion in the Department of Financial Services. Banks will set up bank camps at gram panchayat and urban local body level, with calendars published in advance so residents know when to visit. Banks have also been asked to report weekly enrolment numbers through the department's monitoring portal. The financial inclusion campaign is being positioned as a saturation exercise, meaning every eligible household should be covered for at least one insurance or pension product. Progress will be tracked through the department's monitoring framework, and weekly reviews are expected to keep the drive on schedule through December 31.