PMSBY – Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Enrol
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a government-backed renewable accident insurance scheme providing ₹2 lakh cover for accidental death or total permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability, at an annual premium of just ₹20 — auto-debited from the subscriber's savings account. Launched on 9 May 2015 by the Ministry of Finance and administered through all scheduled commercial banks and India Post, PMSBY is one of the lowest-cost insurance products available in India. This page covers what PMSBY covers, eligibility, how to enrol, and how to file a claim.
What is Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana?
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a government-sponsored renewable one-year personal accident insurance scheme launched on 9 May 2015 alongside PMJJBY and APY as part of the Jan Suraksha initiative. Administered by the Ministry of Finance through all scheduled commercial banks, RRBs, cooperative banks, and India Post, the scheme is underwritten by public sector general insurers — primarily New India Assurance, National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance — and participating private general insurers.
PMSBY provides financial protection specifically against accidental risks — unlike PMJJBY, it does not cover natural death. It covers accidental death, total permanent disability, and partial permanent disability. At ₹20 per year, it is accessible to virtually every savings account holder and is designed to function as the foundational accident cover layer for India's financially excluded population. The premium has remained at ₹20 since launch — it was not revised during the 2022 revision that changed PMJJBY's premium. Coverage renews annually from 1 June to 31 May.
Key Benefits of PMSBY
| Benefit Type | Amount | Applicable Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental death | ₹2,00,000 to nominee | Death due to accident |
| Total permanent disability | ₹2,00,000 to subscriber | Both eyes lost / both hands or feet lost / one eye + one hand or foot lost |
| Partial permanent disability | ₹1,00,000 to subscriber | One eye lost OR one hand or foot lost |
| Annual premium | ₹20 per year | All subscribers |
| Premium payment | Auto-debit on 1 June each year | All subscribers |
| Cover period | 1 June – 31 May (one year; renewable) | All subscribers |
| Tax benefit | Premium eligible for Section 80C deduction | All subscribers filing ITR |
What PMSBY Does NOT Cover
| Exclusion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Natural death | PMSBY covers only accidental causes — death from illness is not covered |
| Self-inflicted injuries | Suicide or self-harm is excluded |
| Alcohol / drug influence | Accidents under the influence of alcohol or drugs are excluded |
| War-related accidents | Damage arising from war or nuclear risks is excluded |
| Criminal act | Death or disability arising from criminal activity by the subscriber |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age at enrolment | 18 to 70 years |
| Bank account | Must hold a savings bank account at a participating bank or post office |
| Auto-debit consent | Must give consent for ₹20 annual auto-debit |
| Aadhaar linkage | Aadhaar must be linked to the savings account |
| Existing PMSBY | Only one PMSBY policy per person, across all banks |
| Health condition | No medical examination required; no pre-existing condition exclusion |
Eligibility is subject to revision. Verify at jansuraksha.gov.in before enrolling.
Documents Required
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar card | Identity and bank account linkage |
| Savings account passbook | For auto-debit account confirmation |
| PMSBY consent-cum-declaration form | Consent for auto-debit; self-declaration |
| Nominee details | Name, relationship, and bank account number of nominee |
No medical test, income proof, or address proof required at enrolment.
How to Enrol in PMSBY
Online — via Bank Net Banking or Mobile App
- Log in to your bank's net banking or mobile banking app
- Navigate to Insurance or Government Schemes
- Select Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
- Complete enrolment — confirm auto-debit of ₹20
- Coverage begins immediately; save the enrolment confirmation
Offline — via Bank Branch or Post Office
- Visit your savings account branch or nearest post office
- Request the PMSBY consent-cum-declaration form
- Fill in personal details and nominee information
- Submit the form; the bank sets up the ₹20 annual auto-debit
- Coverage begins from the debit date
Through Jan Suraksha Portal
- Visit jansuraksha.gov.in for scheme information, claim forms, and state-wise bank contacts
- Enrolment itself is processed through your bank — not directly through the portal
PaisaOne does not process PMSBY enrolments. Enrol through your bank's net banking, mobile app, or branch.
How to File a PMSBY Claim
Accidental Death Claim (by Nominee)
- Nominee visits the bank branch where the subscriber held the account
- Submits the PMSBY claim form (available at jansuraksha.gov.in or the bank branch)
- Attaches: death certificate, FIR (for accident-related death), post-mortem report, and nominee's identity proof
- Bank forwards the claim to the underwriting insurer
- Insurer pays ₹2 lakh to the nominee's bank account within 30 days
Disability Claim (by Subscriber)
- Subscriber submits the claim form at the bank branch
- Attaches: disability certificate from a government hospital (civil surgeon / equivalent), FIR if applicable, and Aadhaar
- Total permanent disability: ₹2 lakh credited to subscriber's account
- Partial permanent disability: ₹1 lakh credited to subscriber's account
Claim form: jansuraksha.gov.in → Downloads | Grievance: IRDAI IGMS at igms.irda.gov.in for unresolved claims
PMSBY covers accidental death for ₹20/year — but ₹2 lakh is rarely enough to replace income for a dependent family. Compare personal accident and health insurance plans from 20+ insurers on PaisaOne to get comprehensive protection beyond PMSBY's basic cover.
PMSBY — UPSC Key Facts
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana |
| Acronym | PMSBY |
| Launch date | 9 May 2015 |
| Nodal ministry | Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services) |
| Underwriter | Public sector general insurers (New India Assurance, National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, United India) + private insurers |
| Type | Renewable one-year group personal accident insurance |
| Annual premium | ₹20 (unchanged since launch) |
| Accidental death / total permanent disability cover | ₹2 lakh |
| Partial permanent disability cover | ₹1 lakh |
| Age eligibility | 18–70 years |
| Cover period | 1 June – 31 May |
| Companion schemes | PMJJBY (life cover) + APY (pension) — the Jan Suraksha trinity |
| Portal | jansuraksha.gov.in |
| Enrolments (as of 2025) | Over 45 crore subscribers |
| Unique feature | Covers accidental death only; natural death is not covered |
| Difference from PMJJBY | PMJJBY = life insurance (any cause of death); PMSBY = accident insurance (accidental cause only) |
PMSBY vs PMJJBY — Key Differences
| Parameter | PMSBY | PMJJBY |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Personal accident insurance | Term life insurance |
| Covers | Accidental death + disability | Death from any cause |
| Premium | ₹20/year | ₹436/year |
| Death cover | ₹2 lakh (accidental death only) | ₹2 lakh (any cause) |
| Disability cover | Yes — ₹2L (total) / ₹1L (partial) | No disability cover |
| Age eligibility | 18–70 years | 18–50 years (cover till 55) |
| Underwriter | General insurance companies | Life insurance companies (LIC + others) |
State-Wise PMSBY Enrolment
PMSBY has uniform terms nationally. States with highest enrolment:
| State | Primary Enrolment Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, RRBs | Largest enrolment; PMJDY-linked dual enrolment drive with PMJJBY |
| Bihar | SBI, Central Bank, Bank Mitras | Bank BC-led awareness and enrolment in rural areas |
| West Bengal | SBI, UCO Bank, Bandhan Bank | Strong rural penetration; PMSBY + PMJJBY bundled enrolment |
| Rajasthan | SBI, Bank of Baroda, Post Office | Post office savings account subscribers a significant base |
| Madhya Pradesh | SBI, Bank of India, RRBs | State-level Collector-led awareness campaigns |
| Maharashtra | SBI, Bank of Maharashtra, private banks | Private general insurer participation strong |
| Odisha | SBI, Odisha Gramya Bank | Tribal district penetration via Bank BCs |
| Andhra Pradesh | SBI, AP Grameena Vikas Bank | Village Secretariat-based enrolment awareness |
What is Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and who is it for? Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a government-backed renewable one-year personal accident insurance scheme launched on 9 May 2015 by the Ministry of Finance. It provides ₹2 lakh cover for accidental death or total permanent disability, and ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability, at an annual premium of ₹20 auto-debited from the subscriber's savings account. Available to all savings account holders aged 18–70, it covers over 45 crore subscribers across India.
What are the main benefits of PMSBY? PMSBY provides ₹2 lakh to the nominee on accidental death or for total permanent disability (loss of both eyes, both limbs, or one eye and one limb), and ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability (loss of one eye or one limb), all for ₹20 per year. Coverage renews automatically each year on 1 June if the auto-debit mandate is active. The premium qualifies for Section 80C deduction. No medical examination is required — only Aadhaar linkage to the savings account.
Who is eligible for PMSBY? Any Indian savings bank account holder aged 18 to 70 years is eligible, provided their Aadhaar is linked to the account and they consent to annual auto-debit of ₹20. Only one PMSBY policy is allowed per person across all banks. Unlike PMJJBY, PMSBY has a higher upper age limit of 70 years. No medical test, income proof, or pre-existing condition evaluation is required.
How do I enrol in PMSBY? Enrol through your bank's net banking or mobile app under Insurance or Government Schemes, or by submitting the consent form at your bank branch or post office. The ₹20 premium is debited automatically, and coverage begins immediately. Renewal is automatic each year on 1 June. Download claim forms and find scheme details at jansuraksha.gov.in. For claims, submit the completed form at your bank branch with the accident documentation.
