1. Introduction to Bima Sakhi Yojana
The Bima Sakhi Yojana is a welfare-oriented initiative launched by the Government of India to empower women and improve insurance coverage in rural areas. The scheme aims to create a network of trained rural women – called “Bima Sakhis” – who act as community-level insurance facilitators.
This yojana serves dual objectives
- Empowering rural women by providing them with skill development, employment, and a steady income.
- Increasing insurance penetration in rural and under-served regions through door-to-door services.
Let us now explore every aspect of the Bima Sakhi Yojana in detail.
2. Objectives of Bima Sakhi Yojana
- To create a rural workforce of trained women in the insurance sector.
- To enhance awareness of insurance schemes like PMJJBY and PMSBY.
- To provide last-mile access to insurance services in villages.
- To increase insurance literacy and claim assistance among rural populations.
- To promote financial inclusion and women empowerment.
3. Who is a Bima Sakhi?
A Bima Sakhi is a trained woman SHG (Self Help Group) member who:
- Promotes government insurance schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
- Helps rural citizens with registration, premium payment, and claims.
- Creates awareness and educates villagers about the importance of life and accidental insurance.
4. Key Features of the Bima Sakhi Yojana
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched By | Ministry of Rural Development & LIC |
| Target Group | SHG Women (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM Members) |
| Area Covered | Rural Areas |
| Objective | Promote insurance schemes and empower women |
| Training Provided | By LIC or authorized agencies |
| Employment Offered | Yes, as insurance facilitators |
| Incentive/Income | Commission on policy enrollments |
5. Benefits of the Bima Sakhi Yojana
A. For SHG Women:
- Skill development through certified training.
- Stable livelihood as insurance agents/facilitators.
- Empowerment and social recognition.
- Income from commission on premiums and renewals.
B. For Rural Population:
- Easy access to life and accident insurance.
- Better claim support and guidance.
- Increased awareness about government welfare schemes.
C. For the Government:
- Wider insurance coverage in rural India.
- Boost in financial inclusion under Jan Dhan and PMFS missions.
6. Eligibility Criteria for Bima Sakhi Yojana
To become a Bima Sakhi, a woman must:
- Be a member of a Self Help Group (SHG) under DAY-NRLM.
- Be between 18 and 50 years old.
- Have basic literacy and communication skills.
- Be willing to undergo training and certification.
- Be active and motivated to work in the community.
- Reside in the same village/area she wishes to serve.
7. Insurance Schemes Covered by Bima Sakhi
A. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
- Coverage: ₹2 lakh for death due to any cause.
- Age Group: 18–50 years.
- Premium: ₹436/year.
B. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
- Coverage: ₹2 lakh for accidental death/disability.
- Age Group: 18–70 years.
- Premium: ₹20/year.
The Bima Sakhi helps villagers enroll in these schemes, maintain policy records, and assist with claims.
8. Bima Sakhi Yojana: Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Contact Local SHG/NRLM Office
- Visit your village panchayat or block-level NRLM office.
- Inquire about Bima Sakhi recruitment and training programs.
Step 2: Fill Registration Form
- Obtain the Bima Sakhi Yojana registration form.
- Submit details like:
- Name
- Age
- Aadhaar
- SHG membership proof
- Mobile number
- Bank account details
Step 3: Verification by Block Mission Management Unit
- Officials verify your eligibility.
- Shortlisted women are called for training.
Step 4: Attend Training Program
- Conducted by LIC or a certified training agency.
- Covers insurance basics, enrollment, premium collection, claims handling.
Step 5: Certification and ID Issuance
- On completion, you get a Bima Sakhi ID card and certificate.
- You are now authorized to act as a Bima Sakhi in your village.
9. Training of Bima Sakhis
Training Details:
- Duration: 2 to 5 days
- Mode: Offline (classroom + field demo)
- Conducted by: LIC, SRLMs, or authorized partners.
Training Modules:
- Introduction to PMJJBY and PMSBY
- Enrolment procedures
- Premium collection & digital payments
- Claim documentation
- Grievance handling
- Communication & outreach methods
- Record keeping and reporting
10. Incentives and Salary for Bima Sakhis
Bima Sakhis are not salaried employees, but they earn through incentives:
| Activity | Incentive |
|---|---|
| New PMJJBY Enrollment | ₹30–₹50 |
| New PMSBY Enrollment | ₹5–₹10 |
| Renewal Support | ₹5–₹10 |
| Claim Filing Assistance | ₹25–₹50 |
In some states, women are earning ₹3,000–₹8,000 per month based on their performance.
11. Role and Responsibilities of a Bima Sakhi
- Promote awareness of insurance schemes in the community.
- Enroll villagers in PMJJBY and PMSBY schemes.
- Collect premiums and assist with online payments.
- Help families submit claims in case of death or accident.
- Maintain records of enrolled beneficiaries.
- Attend regular review meetings.
- Update citizens about new schemes or policy updates.
12. Digital Tools and Platforms
Bima Sakhis may use digital platforms like:
- Jan Suraksha Portal
- UMANG App
- Bank Mitra portal
- SHG’s MIS systems for tracking enrollments and reports.
13. Real-Life Impact: Success Stories
Story 1: Pushpa from Uttar Pradesh
Pushpa, a 35-year-old SHG member, trained as a Bima Sakhi in 2023. Within a year, she enrolled over 700 people and helped 5 families file claims. She now earns around ₹6,000/month and is a respected insurance agent in her block.
Story 2: Lakshmi from Odisha
Lakshmi assisted an illiterate woman in claiming her husband’s PMJJBY death benefit of ₹2 lakh. The family, who had no idea about the policy, received the amount within 2 months thanks to Lakshmi’s support.
14. Implementation Partners
- LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India)
- Public Sector Banks
- State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs)
- District and Block Level Coordinators
15. How States Are Promoting Bima Sakhi
Many states are actively running recruitment and training drives under DAY-NRLM. Example initiatives:
| State | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Bihar | Over 6,000 Bima Sakhis trained |
| Odisha | Claims support system established |
| Madhya Pradesh | State-level portal integration |
| Karnataka | NRLM mobile app for tracking Bima Sakhi performance |
16. Bima Sakhi vs Bank Mitra
| Criteria | Bima Sakhi | Bank Mitra |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | Insurance | Banking (cash-in/out, savings) |
| Training | Short, LIC-driven | Detailed, RBI/BC training |
| Earnings | Commission on insurance | Fixed + transaction-based |
| Gender Focus | Only Women (SHGs) | Open to all |
17. Challenges Faced by Bima Sakhis
- Limited digital literacy.
- Travel difficulties in remote villages.
- Lack of awareness about insurance.
- Delays in claim processing.
- Inadequate support from banks at times.
18. Suggestions for Improvement
- Introduce mobile app-based enrollment systems.
- Provide monthly incentives or honorarium.
- Link Bima Sakhis with Jan Dhan Yojana.
- Organize monthly awareness camps.
- Build grievance redressal centers at block level.
19. How to Get Bima Sakhi Registration Form Online
Currently, the form is distributed by:
- District/Block NRLM offices
- SHG federations
- You can check state rural livelihood mission websites:
- https://nrlm.gov.in/
- State-specific portals (e.g., odishalivelihoodsmission.in, brlp.in)
Some NGOs also distribute forms during village-level camps.
20. Contact Details and Helpline Numbers
| Contact Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Rural Development |
| National Helpline | 1800-11-6446 |
| NRLM Email | [email protected] |
| LIC Helpline | 022-6827 6827 |
| Website | https://nrlm.gov.in/, https://licindia.in/ |
21. Future of Bima Sakhi Yojana
The scheme is being scaled up nationwide under Mission Mode. Key upcoming changes include:
- Integration with Digital India mission.
- Use of AI chatbots for claim help.
- Mobile tracking for SHG performance.
- Financial literacy certification.
22. Conclusion
The Bima Sakhi Yojana is a powerful initiative that combines social welfare, women empowerment, and financial inclusion. By leveraging the strength of Self Help Groups and training rural women as insurance agents, the scheme is bridging the insurance gap in India’s heartlands.
Not only does it improve lives by providing financial protection, but it also generates rural employment and enhances the status of women in society.
If you or someone you know is an SHG member, becoming a Bima Sakhi is a great way to build a career while serving the community.
