- Secretary Sanjay Lohiya chaired the review with public and private sector bank heads
- Banks asked to widen digital outreach and process loans end-to-end digitally
- Banks told to raise awareness of claim eligibility under Jan Suraksha insurance schemes
- New PMJJBY and PMSBY enrolments to go through the Jan Suraksha portal
- Saturation campaign runs from 21.10.2026 to 31.12.2026
Banks must step up digital outreach and move loan processing fully online, the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Sanjay Lohiya, told lenders in New Delhi on Monday.
Lohiya chaired a review meeting with heads of all Public Sector Banks and executive directors of major Private Sector Banks. Senior DFS officials also attended.
Review of flagship schemes
The meeting reviewed progress under several financial inclusion schemes. These include Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, PMJJBY, PMSBY, Atal Pension Yojana, PMMY, Stand Up India, PM SVANidhi, PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar and KCC.
Officials also reviewed the opening of brick-and-mortar bank branches and the deployment of business correspondents in unbanked villages.
Push for digital lending
Lohiya said good progress has been made in deepening financial inclusion. He asked banks to do more on digital outreach and fully digital loan processing.
He also explained how working capital loans can be provided through credit lines on UPI and credit cards for micro-enterprises (CCME). He urged Private Sector Banks to take a bigger part in financial inclusion schemes.
Insurance claims and pension targets
Lohiya directed banks to spread awareness of claim eligibility under Jan Suraksha insurance schemes. The aim is to ensure nominees receive the amount after a beneficiary dies.
Banks must also handle claim grievances with special care. All new PMJJBY and PMSBY beneficiaries should be enrolled through the Jan Suraksha portal. The portal will be integrated with all banks and insurers, improving data quality and ease of operations.
The meeting also discussed ways to raise the persistency ratio of Atal Pension Yojana.
Saturation campaign ahead
Lohiya urged banks to take part wholeheartedly in the upcoming financial inclusion saturation campaign. It runs from 21.10.2026 to 31.12.2026. He asked banks to give greater focus to marginalised sections and their banking needs.
