Government insurance schemes in India give low-cost life, accident, health and crop cover to people who might otherwise have no insurance. The two cheapest are Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY, Rs 2 lakh life cover for Rs 436 a year) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY, up to Rs 2 lakh accident cover for Rs 20 a year), both bought through your bank account. For health, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY covers eligible families for up to Rs 5 lakh a year, while ESIC and CGHS cover workers and central government staff.
Which one fits depends on whether you want life, accident or health cover, and on where you work. The table below sums them up; details follow. The government schemes hub lists every other benefit guide.
Government insurance schemes in India compared
| Scheme | Type | Who can join | Cost to you | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMJJBY | Life (term) | Age 18 to 50 with a bank or post office account | Rs 436 a year | Rs 2 lakh on death from any cause |
| PMSBY | Accident | Age 18 to 70 with a bank or post office account | Rs 20 a year | Rs 2 lakh for accidental death or total permanent disability; Rs 1 lakh for partial permanent disability |
| Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY | Health | Eligible families from listed databases; everyone aged 70+ | Free | Up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year |
| ESIC | Health and social security | Employees in covered units earning up to Rs 21,000 a month | 0.75% of wages | Medical care for the family, sickness and maternity benefit |
| CGHS | Health | Central government employees, pensioners and dependants | Monthly contribution by pay level | Treatment at wellness centres and empanelled hospitals |
| EDLI (EPFO) | Life | EPF members | Nil for the employee | Lump sum to the nominee on death in service, within the EPFO limits |
| PMFBY | Crop | Farmers growing notified crops | 1.5% to 5% of sum insured | Crop loss from natural risks |
Government life insurance schemes in India
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
PMJJBY is a one-year renewable term plan. Anyone aged 18 to 50 with a savings account can join, and the cover can continue up to age 55 if the premium keeps being paid. The policy year runs from 1 June to 31 May, and the Rs 436 premium is auto-debited from your account each year. For new members there is an initial lien period of 30 days, during which only accidental death is covered. You can join through your bank branch, net banking, the bank's app or jansuraksha.gov.in.
Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI)
Every EPF member is automatically covered under EDLI, run by EPFO. If the member dies while in service, the nominee gets a lump sum calculated on the member's wages and PF balance, within a minimum and maximum set by EPFO. The employee pays nothing; the employer contributes. Make sure your nominee is updated on the EPFO member portal.
Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance
India Post runs Postal Life Insurance for government and semi-government employees and certain professionals, and Rural Postal Life Insurance for people in rural areas. These are regular paid policies, sold at post offices, with plans such as whole life and endowment.
Accident cover: PMSBY
For just Rs 20 a year, PMSBY covers accidental death and disability for people aged 18 to 70. It pays Rs 2 lakh for death or total and irrecoverable loss of both eyes, both hands or feet, or one eye and one limb, and Rs 1 lakh for loss of one eye or one limb. Like PMJJBY, it is auto-debited and runs from June to May. Many people keep both together for a total premium of Rs 456 a year.
Government health insurance schemes
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
PM-JAY gives free, cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at empanelled hospitals. Families are eligible based on government databases rather than an application form, and all persons aged 70 and above qualify through the Vay Vandana card. See our full guide to Ayushman card eligibility and use .
ESIC
The Employees' State Insurance scheme covers employees of factories and establishments with 10 or more workers (as notified) who earn up to Rs 21,000 a month (Rs 25,000 for persons with disabilities). The employee pays 0.75% of wages and the employer 3.25%. Benefits include full medical care for the worker and family at ESI dispensaries and hospitals, cash sickness benefit, maternity benefit and disablement benefit. Your employer registers you, and you get an Insurance Medical Practitioner and an e-Pehchan card.
CGHS for central government staff
The Central Government Health Scheme provides outpatient care at CGHS wellness centres and treatment at empanelled private hospitals for central government employees, pensioners and their dependants in CGHS cities. Central staff in non-CGHS areas usually get medical reimbursement under the CS(MA) rules. More on employee benefits is on our central government employees news page .
Crop insurance
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana covers notified crops against yield loss from drought, flood, pests and other natural risks. The farmer's premium is capped at 2% for kharif, 1.5% for rabi and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops. The farmer schemes guide explains enrolment and claims.
Which cover should you pick?
For most families, a simple combination works: PMJJBY and PMSBY for every earning adult with a bank account, PM-JAY if the family is eligible, and ESIC or CGHS if your job provides it. These covers are basic. A family whose earning member has large loans or young children may need a larger term policy from a regular insurer on top, and those not eligible for PM-JAY may need private health insurance.
How to make a claim
- PMJJBY or PMSBY: the nominee goes to the bank branch where the account was held, fills the claim form and submits the death certificate (and for PMSBY, the FIR or police report and post-mortem report in case of accident) with the nominee's ID and bank details.
- PM-JAY: no claim by the patient; the hospital raises it. You only show the card at admission.
- ESIC: medical care is direct at ESI facilities; cash benefits are claimed through the ESIC branch office.
- EDLI: the nominee files the claim with EPFO online or through the employer.
Common problems
- Premium not debited: if your balance was low on the debit date, the cover lapses for that year. Keep enough balance in late May and rejoin if needed.
- Nominee not recorded: update the nominee at the bank or on the EPFO portal now; it avoids long claim delays.
- Two bank accounts: you can be covered under PMJJBY or PMSBY through one account only.
Retirees should also look at our list of senior citizen schemes . HindiScope is not an official site; confirm cover and premium with your bank or on jansuraksha.gov.in.