Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): ₹20 Premium, ₹2 Lakh Accident Cover — Complete Guide 2026

Accidents strike without warning, and for millions of Indian families a single mishap can wipe out years of savings. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PM

K Jyothi

- Editor

Accidents strike without warning, and for millions of Indian families a single mishap can wipe out years of savings. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) was built to soften exactly that blow. For just ₹20 a year, this government-backed accident insurance scheme delivers up to ₹2 lakh in cover for accidental death or disability — making it one of the most affordable safety nets available to any bank account holder in the country.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: premium, coverage, eligibility, benefits, the step-by-step application process, and answers to the most common questions people ask before enrolling.

What Is PMSBY?

PMSBY is an accident insurance scheme that pays out in the event of accidental death or disability. It is a one-year cover, renewable every year, and is administered by Public Sector General Insurance Companies and other general insurers in partnership with participating banks and post offices.

Unlike a regular life insurance policy, PMSBY focuses purely on accidents — it does not cover death or disability arising from illness or natural causes. What it offers in return is rock-bottom pricing and almost zero paperwork, since the premium is pulled automatically from your bank account.

PMSBY Premium

The premium is ₹20 per year, per member. This amount is deducted from the account holder's bank or post office account through the auto-debit facility on or before 1st June of each annual coverage period. Because the deduction is automatic, you don't need to remember a due date — but you do need to keep enough balance in the account to keep the policy active.

Coverage Duration

Cover under PMSBY runs for one year, from 1st June to 31st May, on payment of the annual premium. To stay protected without a gap, ensure your account has sufficient balance before the 1st June auto-debit each year.

PMSBY Benefits

The scheme pays a fixed benefit depending on the nature of the loss caused by the accident:

EventBenefit Amount
Death₹2 Lakh (paid to nominee)
Total and irrecoverable loss of both eyes, or loss of use of both hands or feet, or loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of one hand or foot₹2 Lakh
Total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye, or loss of use of one hand or foot₹1 Lakh

In short: ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total disability, and ₹1 lakh for the specified partial disabilities.

Eligibility for PMSBY

You can join PMSBY if you are:

  • An individual bank account holder of a participating bank or post office.
  • Aged between 18 years (completed) and 70 years (age nearer birthday).
  • Willing to give consent and enable auto-debit for the annual premium.

If you hold a joint account, all holders of that account may join the scheme individually, provided each satisfies the eligibility criteria and pays the ₹20 premium per person through auto-debit.

When Does the Accident Cover End?

Your PMSBY cover will terminate or be restricted on any of the following events:

  • On attaining the age of 70 years (age nearer birthday).
  • Closure of the bank account, or insufficient balance to keep the insurance in force.

Important: even if you are covered through more than one account by mistake and premium is received inadvertently, the insurance cover is restricted to ₹2 lakh — you cannot claim multiple times.

How to Apply for PMSBY

Offline Application

Step 1: Visit the bank branch where you hold a savings account, or download the form from the official Jan Suraksha portal: https://jansuraksha.gov.in/Forms-PMSBY.aspx

Step 2: Fill in all the required details on the application form and submit it to the bank along with the necessary documents.

Step 3: After successful submission, you will receive an Acknowledgement Slip cum Certificate of Insurance as proof of enrolment.

Online Application

Most participating banks allow you to join PMSBY through their net banking or mobile banking facility. Simply log in to your internet banking account, locate the PMSBY enrolment option, and give your digital consent for auto-debit. If your account is already KYC-compliant, physical submission of documents is usually not required.

Contact and Helpline

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there any provision for reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses following an accident resulting in death or disablement? No. PMSBY only covers accidental death and disability. It does not reimburse hospitalisation or medical treatment expenses arising from an accident.

Who can claim the insurance benefit in case of death of the account holder who gave the enrolment form? The nominee named at the time of enrolment receives the death benefit. If no nominee is recorded, the legal heir is eligible to claim.

What is the mode of payment of the claim amount? The claim amount is credited directly to the bank account — to the nominee's account in case of death, and to the insured's account in case of a disability claim.

Will the family get the insurance benefit if the account holder commits suicide? No. Death due to suicide is not covered under PMSBY.

Is it necessary to report accidents to police and obtain an FIR for claiming benefits? For incidents such as road, rail and similar vehicular accidents, drowning, or any death involving a crime, the accident should be reported to the police. For incidents like snake bite or a fall from a tree, the cause should be supported by immediate hospital records.

If the insured is missing and death is not confirmed, will the legal heirs get the benefit? PMSBY covers only deaths confirmed by documentary evidence to have been caused by an accident. A claim is settled on confirmation of death, or on expiry of the period specified by law to presume death.

What benefit is payable for partial disability without irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or foot? No benefit is payable. Only the specific irrecoverable disabilities listed in the scheme qualify for a payout.

Can an account holder claim from more than one bank where premium has been debited? No. The insured or nominee is eligible for only one claim, even if premium was debited from multiple accounts.

Can an individual join PMSBY from multiple bank accounts? No. An individual can be covered under PMSBY through only one account. If enrolled through several accounts, cover is restricted to ₹2 lakh and the excess premium may be forfeited.

What is the minimum and maximum age limit for entry into the scheme? The entry age is 18 years (completed) to 70 years (age nearer birthday).

How will the premium be paid? The premium is deducted through auto-debit from your bank or post office account in one instalment, as per the consent given at the time of enrolment.

Can eligible individuals who fail to join in the initial year join in subsequent years? Yes. Eligible individuals who did not join earlier can join in subsequent years by paying the annual premium, subject to the conditions in force.

Can individuals who leave the scheme rejoin? Yes. Those who exited the scheme can rejoin in future years by paying the premium and meeting the eligibility conditions.

Will this cover be in addition to cover under any other insurance scheme? Yes. The PMSBY benefit is in addition to any other accidental insurance cover the subscriber may already hold.

Does PMSBY cover death/disability resulting from natural calamities like earthquake or flood? What about suicide and murder? Natural calamities are treated as accidents, so death or disability resulting from earthquakes, floods and similar events is covered. Death due to murder is covered, but death due to suicide is not covered.

Can all holders of a joint bank account join the scheme through that account? Yes. All holders of a joint account can join, provided each meets the eligibility criteria and pays ₹20 per person, per annum, through auto-debit.

Which bank accounts are eligible for subscribing to PMSBY? All bank and post office account holders other than institutional account holders are eligible to subscribe.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): ₹20 Premium, ₹2 Lakh Accident Cover — Complete Guide 2026

Are NRIs eligible for coverage under PMSBY? Yes. Any NRI holding an eligible bank account with a branch located in India can subscribe. However, if a claim arises, the benefit will be paid to the beneficiary or nominee only in Indian currency.

Why PMSBY Is Worth It

At ₹20 a year — less than the cost of a cup of tea each month — PMSBY offers a meaningful financial cushion for families who would otherwise have no protection against accidental death or disability. It won't replace a comprehensive personal accident or term insurance policy, and it doesn't cover hospitalisation or illness. But as a basic, government-backed safety net that takes minutes to enable, it is one of the simplest and smartest financial decisions any eligible account holder can make.

If you haven't enrolled yet, visit your bank branch or log in to your net banking today and turn on PMSBY. For full scheme rules, refer to the official guidelines on the Jan Suraksha portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the premium for PMSBY and how is it paid?
The premium is ₹20 per year per member, deducted automatically from your bank or post office account via the auto-debit facility on or before 1st June each year. You must keep sufficient balance in the account to keep the policy active.
How much coverage does PMSBY provide?
PMSBY pays ₹2 lakh for accidental death or total/permanent disability (such as loss of both eyes, both hands, or both feet), and ₹1 lakh for specified partial disabilities like loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or foot.
Who is eligible to join PMSBY?
Any individual bank or post office account holder of a participating institution aged between 18 and 70 years (age nearer birthday) who consents to auto-debit of the premium can join. In joint accounts, all holders may join individually if each meets the criteria and pays ₹20.
What is the coverage period of PMSBY?
The cover runs for one year, from 1st June to 31st May, on payment of the annual premium, and is renewable each year. Ensure sufficient account balance before the 1st June auto-debit to avoid a gap in coverage.
How can I apply for PMSBY?
You can apply offline by visiting your bank branch or downloading the form from the Jan Suraksha portal (https://jansuraksha.gov.in/Forms-PMSBY.aspx) and submitting it with documents, after which you receive an Acknowledgement Slip cum Certificate of Insurance. Most banks also allow online enrolment via net banking or mobile banking with digital consent for auto-debit.
Does PMSBY cover hospitalisation or medical expenses, illness, or suicide?
No. PMSBY covers only accidental death and disability—it does not reimburse hospitalisation or medical treatment expenses, nor does it cover death from illness, natural causes, or suicide.
Who receives the claim amount and how is it paid?
In case of death, the benefit goes to the nominee named at enrolment (or the legal heir if no nominee is recorded); for disability, it goes to the insured. The claim amount is credited directly to the relevant bank account.
Is a police report or FIR needed to claim PMSBY benefits?
Yes, for incidents such as road, rail or other vehicular accidents, drowning, or any death involving a crime, the accident must be reported to the police. For cases like snake bite or a fall from a tree, the cause should be supported by immediate hospital records.
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