1. Introduction
The Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana is a specialized child insurance policy introduced by the Department of Posts, Government of India under the Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) program. This policy allows the parent or guardian to insure their child’s life while simultaneously saving for the future. It offers security and peace of mind, particularly to rural and semi-urban populations that lack access to private insurance providers.
This guide provides a deep dive into every aspect of the scheme, from eligibility to benefits, comparison with alternatives, and how to enroll.
2. Background and Origin
The Baal Jeevan Bima policy was introduced under the framework of Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI). RPLI was launched in 1995 to extend life insurance services to the rural population. Recognizing the vulnerability of children in financially weaker sections, the Baal Jeevan Bima (BJB) policy was introduced as a companion policy for children of insured individuals under RPLI.
3. Objectives of the Scheme
The Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana aims to:
- Provide financial support to children of insured RPLI policyholders
- Ensure continuation of financial planning even after the death of the parent
- Encourage rural savings and financial literacy
- Offer life cover with a small investment
- Promote long-term security for dependents
4. Eligibility Criteria
The Baal Jeevan Bima has strict eligibility guidelines:
| Eligibility Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Child’s Age | 5 to 20 years |
| Parent’s Age | Up to 45 years at entry |
| Parent Must Have RPLI | Parent must be an RPLI policyholder |
| Max Children Covered | Up to 2 children per policyholder |
| Residency | Must be rural/semi-urban |
5. Features of Baal Jeevan Bima
- Policy in the name of the child but controlled and funded by the parent.
- Available only if the parent holds an active RPLI policy.
- No medical examination required for the child.
- Premium waiver in case the parent dies during the policy term.
- Maximum sum assured up to ₹1,00,000 or equal to parent’s sum assured (whichever is lower).
6. Sum Assured and Bonus
Sum Assured:
- The maximum sum assured is ₹1,00,000 per child.
- Minimum can be ₹20,000.
- It cannot exceed the sum assured of the parent’s own RPLI policy.
Bonus:
- Annual bonus is declared by India Post.
- Current bonus: ₹48 per ₹1,000 sum assured per year.
- For ₹1 lakh sum assured, annual bonus is ₹4,800.
7. Premiums and Payment Modes
Premium Cost:
- Varies with age of child and sum assured.
- Very affordable (can be as low as ₹5–₹30/month).
Modes of Payment:
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Half-yearly
- Annually
Example Premium Table for ₹50,000 Sum Assured:
| Age of Child | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 5 years | ₹10 |
| 10 years | ₹15 |
| 15 years | ₹20 |
8. Benefits of the Scheme
- Life Insurance for children from age 5 to 20
- No premium payment needed if parent dies during term
- Maturity amount + bonus on survival
- Simple documentation and claim process
- Zero risk government-backed savings
9. Death Benefit Provisions
- If the child dies before maturity: Sum Assured + accrued bonus paid to parent/guardian.
- If the parent dies during term:
- Premium waived
- Policy continues till maturity
- Maturity benefit paid to the child on completion
10. Maturity Benefit
On successful completion of the policy term:
- Full sum assured
- Plus, accrued bonus
- Paid to child or parent if child is still minor
11. Premium Waiver Facility
If the parent (policyholder) dies:
- Premium payments are waived
- The policy remains in force
- Child still gets maturity benefits as scheduled
12. Exclusions and Restrictions
- No loan can be availed against the policy
- No surrender value before 5 years
- Policy cannot be issued independently (must be tied to parent’s RPLI)
- Only 2 children per family allowed
13. Application Procedure
- Visit nearest post office offering RPLI
- Fill the Baal Jeevan Bima form
- Submit:
- Parent’s RPLI proof
- Child’s age proof
- Birth certificate
- Aadhaar card (optional)
- Choose sum assured and premium term
- Make initial premium payment
14. Required Documents
- RPLI policy details of parent
- Birth Certificate of the child
- Age and identity proof of parent and child
- Address proof (Voter ID, Aadhaar, etc.)
- Passport-size photos
15. Online vs Offline Application Process
Offline:
- Available in most rural post offices
- Fill up the form and submit documents physically
Online (in select regions):
- Visit India Post’s official portal
- Navigate to RPLI > Children Policy
- Register, fill details, pay premium
- Submit hardcopy at nearest post office for validation
16. How to File Claims
- Maturity Claim:
- Submit claim form
- Identity proof of child
- Original policy document
- Bonus statement
- Death Claim:
- Death certificate
- Policy documents
- Parent’s proof of relationship
- Bank details for NEFT
17. Example Case Studies
Case 1:
Ravi, a rural postmaster, enrolls his 7-year-old son under BJB for ₹50,000. Ravi dies in an accident 3 years later. The child’s premiums are waived, and at maturity, he receives ₹50,000 + bonus (₹4,800×13) = ₹112,400.
Case 2:
Sita, a farm laborer with RPLI, insures both her daughters. She pays ₹20/month for 15 years. Upon maturity, each daughter receives over ₹70,000.
18. Comparison with Other Child Insurance Schemes
| Feature | Baal Jeevan Bima | LIC Child Future | Sukanya Samriddhi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Limit | 5–20 | 0–12 | 0–10 (Girls only) |
| Tax Benefits | 80C & 10(10D) | Yes | Yes |
| Loan Facility | No | Yes | No |
| Premium Waiver (Parent) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maturity + Bonus | Yes | Yes | Interest-based |
19. Advantages and Disadvantages
✅ Advantages
- Low-cost government-backed insurance
- Premium waiver in case of death
- Attractive bonus rate
- Tax-free maturity
- Simple to apply
❌ Disadvantages
- No loan facility
- Limited to 2 children
- Cannot be taken without parent’s RPLI
- Sum assured capped at ₹1 lakh
20. FAQs
Q1: Can I buy this if I live in a city?
No, Baal Jeevan Bima is available only under RPLI, which is for rural and semi-urban areas.
Q2: What if my child dies during the term?
The full sum assured + bonus will be paid to the parent.
Q3: Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Not mandatory, but helps in faster processing.
Q4: Can I increase the sum assured later?
No, the sum assured is fixed at the time of purchase.
21. Summary
The Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana is a powerful instrument for low-income families to secure their children’s future. With low premiums, assured returns, and death benefits, it provides rural families with a financial safety net.
It is especially beneficial for parents who want a long-term savings plan with insurance coverage, without depending on private insurers.
22. Conclusion
In a country where millions of children face economic uncertainty, Baal Jeevan Bima stands out as a life-transforming initiative. Managed by the trustworthy India Post, and backed by the Government of India, this scheme helps parents secure their children’s future—even in their absence.
Whether you are a rural farmer, teacher, or small vendor, if you already have a Rural Postal Life Insurance policy, it’s highly advisable to opt for this plan for your children. The financial benefits far outweigh the nominal cost involved.
