JAMMU: Jammu, Pulwama and Baramulla have emerged as the best-performing districts in Jammu and Kashmir in the implementation of key financial inclusion and social security schemes, reflecting significant gains in expanding banking access, insurance coverage and pension security for people from weaker and deprived sections.
The Chief Minister has commended the district administrations for their sustained efforts and year-on-year improvement in coverage under these schemes during the financial year 2025–26, terming the progress a major step towards inclusive and transparent delivery of welfare benefits.
Flagship schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are being implemented through banks to promote financial inclusion by providing basic banking facilities, life and accidental insurance, and assured pension benefits.
Under PMJDY, which provides zero-balance bank accounts with RuPay debit cards and an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10,000, as many as 1,26,803 new accounts were opened during the first three quarters of 2025–26. The total number of PMJDY accounts in the Union Territory rose from 23,66,953 on March 31, 2025, to 24,93,756 by December 31, 2025, with Jammu, Samba and Reasi emerging as top-performing districts.
The PMSBY, offering accidental insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh at a nominal annual premium of Rs 20, witnessed the addition of around 5,42,675 beneficiaries during 2025–26. The total subscriber base increased from 23,56,858 to 29,12,830 over the same period, with Pulwama leading in enrolments, followed by Samba and Jammu.
Under the PMJJBY, which provides life insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh on an annual premium of Rs 436, 2,20,660 new subscribers were added during the year. The total number of beneficiaries rose from 9,66,887 on March 31, 2025, to 11,87,547 by December 31, 2025. Baramulla recorded the highest enrolment, followed by Jammu and Ganderbal.
The Atal Pension Yojana, aimed at providing assured monthly pension benefits after the age of 60 to citizens aged 18–40 years not covered under other pension schemes, also saw steady growth. Nearly 40,582 new subscribers were enrolled, taking the total number from 2,48,020 to 2,88,602 during the period under review. Jammu topped the enrolment chart, followed by Samba and Pulwama.
Significant progress was also recorded under the Digital Life Certificate (Jeevan Praman) campaign, which encourages pensioners to submit life certificates online. Digital submissions increased sharply from 4,000 to 1,11,511 during 2025–26. Of the total 2.49 lakh pensioners in the UT, 2.37 lakh have completed life certification, with nearly 49 per cent opting for the digital mode. Rajouri emerged as the top-performing district, followed by Kulgam and Udhampur.
The Chief Minister lauded the coordinated efforts of Deputy Commissioners, banking institutions and banking correspondents, noting that their field-level outreach and coordination were instrumental in ensuring seamless, transparent and last-mile delivery of social security benefits. The top three performing districts under each scheme were awarded certificates of appreciation in recognition of their performance.
