PMJJBY & PMSBY insurance schemes explained. Learn benefits, eligibility, premium, claim process, and step-by-step application guide for 2026.

PMJJBY & PMSBY Insurance Schemes: Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Benefits, Eligibility, and How to Apply (2026)

The Government of India introduced Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to provide affordable life and accident insurance to crores of Indians—especially salaried employees, daily wage earners, small business owners, and first-generation earners.

These schemes prove one important truth:
basic financial protection does not need to be expensive or complicated.

This guide explains everything you need to know about PMJJBY and PMSBY, including:

What each scheme covers
Who is eligible
Premium, benefits, and exclusions
Step-by-step application process
Common mistakes to avoid
Who should definitely enroll

Why PMJJBY and PMSBY Are Important for Every Indian

Most Indians remain under-insured. A medical emergency, accident, or sudden death can:

Push families into debt
Disrupt children’s education
Destroy years of savings

PMJJBY and PMSBY were designed as entry-level protection schemes so that no Indian remains without basic insurance, even with limited income.

For less than the cost of a cup of tea per month, these schemes offer financial dignity and security.

Understanding the Difference Between PMJJBY and PMSBY

Feature	PMJJBY	PMSBY
Type	Life Insurance	Accident Insurance
Coverage	Death (any cause)	Accidental death & disability
Annual Premium	₹436	₹20
Sum Assured	₹2 lakh	₹2 lakh
Eligibility Age	18–50 years	18–70 years
Renewal	Yearly	Yearly
Linked To	Bank Account	Bank Account

👉 Best practice: Enroll in both schemes together for complete basic protection.

PMJJBY Explained: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

What Is PMJJBY?

PMJJBY is a pure term life insurance scheme that provides financial support to the nominee if the policyholder dies due to any reason—illness, accident, or natural causes.

Key Features of PMJJBY

Life cover of ₹2,00,000
Premium: ₹436 per year
Auto-debit from bank account
One-year renewable policy
Simple enrollment, no medical tests
Government-backed scheme

Eligibility for PMJJBY

Age: 18 to 50 years
Must have a savings bank account
Aadhaar linked to bank account
Consent for auto-debit

Once enrolled before 50, coverage can continue till age 55, subject to yearly renewal.

What PMJJBY Covers

Death due to illness
Death due to accident
Death due to natural causes

There is no restriction on cause of death, making PMJJBY extremely valuable.

PMJJBY Exclusions

Suicide within the first policy year (as per scheme rules)
Fraud or false information

PMSBY Explained: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana

What Is PMSBY?

PMSBY is an accident insurance scheme that provides financial compensation in case of:

Accidental death
Permanent total disability
Permanent partial disability

Key Features of PMSBY

Coverage of ₹2,00,000
Premium: ₹20 per year
Coverage valid worldwide
Auto-debit facility
No medical examination required

Eligibility for PMSBY

Age: 18 to 70 years
Active savings bank account
Aadhaar linked
Consent for auto-debit

PMSBY Coverage Details

Accidental death: ₹2 lakh
Permanent total disability (loss of both eyes/limbs): ₹2 lakh
Permanent partial disability (loss of one eye/limb): ₹1 lakh

What Is Considered an Accident?

An accident is a sudden, external, and violent event such as:

Road accidents
Workplace accidents
Falls
Drowning
Electrical accidents

PMSBY Exclusions

Natural death
Death due to illness
Suicide
Self-inflicted injuries
Alcohol/drug-related incidents

How to Apply for PMJJBY and PMSBY – Step-by-Step Process

Method 1: Apply Through Your Bank Branch (Offline)

Step 1: Visit your bank branch
Step 2: Ask for PMJJBY/PMSBY enrollment form
Step 3: Fill details (name, Aadhaar, nominee, consent)
Step 4: Submit form with signature
Step 5: Premium is auto-debited from account

Method 2: Apply Through Internet Banking (Online)

Many banks allow enrollment via:

Internet banking
Mobile banking apps

Steps:

Log in to net banking
Go to “Insurance / Government Schemes”
Select PMJJBY or PMSBY
Confirm details and consent
Premium auto-debited

Method 3: Apply Through Bank Mitra / CSC

Available in rural and semi-urban areas
Helpful for people without internet access

Important Dates You Must Remember

Enrollment window: 1st June to 31st May (every year)
Premium auto-debited annually
Account must maintain sufficient balance

Nominee Details – Very Important

Always:

Add a nominee
Update nominee after marriage or family changes

Claims are paid only to the registered nominee.

How to Claim PMJJBY or PMSBY Insurance

Claim Process (Common for Both)

Inform bank immediately
Submit claim form
Attach:
- Death certificate / disability certificate
- FIR & post-mortem (for accidents)
- Aadhaar and bank details
Claim settled through insurer

Claim settlement usually takes 30–60 days if documents are complete.

Who Should Definitely Enroll in PMJJBY & PMSBY

Salaried employees
Daily wage workers
Small business owners
First-generation earners
Students above 18
Homemakers with bank accounts
Anyone without life or accident insurance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not maintaining balance for auto-debit
Forgetting yearly renewal
Not updating nominee
Assuming coverage continues without premium
Confusing PMSBY with life insurance

PMJJBY & PMSBY vs Private Insurance

These schemes do not replace private insurance but:

Provide basic safety net
Act as first layer of protection
Ideal for low-income groups

For better protection, combine:

PMJJBY + PMSBY
Term life insurance
Health insurance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PMJJBY & PMSBY Insurance Schemes

General FAQs (Applicable to Both PMJJBY & PMSBY)

1. What are PMJJBY and PMSBY in simple terms?

PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana) is a life insurance scheme, while PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana) is an accident insurance scheme. Both are government-backed and provide basic financial protection at extremely low annual premiums.

2. Is it compulsory to take both PMJJBY and PMSBY together?

No, it is not compulsory. However, enrolling in both schemes together is strongly recommended because:

PMJJBY covers death due to any reason
PMSBY covers accidental death and disability
Together, they provide complete basic protection.

3. Can I apply for PMJJBY and PMSBY online?

Yes. Most banks allow enrollment through:

Internet banking
Mobile banking apps
Bank Mitra or CSC centers
Offline enrollment through bank branches is also available.

4. Are PMJJBY and PMSBY available to NRIs?

Generally, resident Indian savings account holders are eligible. NRIs may not be eligible unless the bank permits enrollment under specific conditions. It’s best to confirm with your bank.

5. Is Aadhaar mandatory for enrollment?

Yes. Aadhaar is required and must be linked with the bank account to enroll and receive benefits.

PMJJBY – Life Insurance FAQs

6. What does PMJJBY actually cover?

PMJJBY provides ₹2 lakh life insurance cover in case of the policyholder’s death due to:

Illness
Accident
Natural causes

There is no restriction on the cause of death, except specific exclusions.

7. What is the premium for PMJJBY and how often is it paid?

The premium is ₹436 per year, auto-debited from the bank account once every year.

8. What is the age limit for PMJJBY?

Entry age: 18 to 50 years
Coverage can continue up to 55 years, subject to yearly renewal.

9. Is medical examination required for PMJJBY?

No medical test is required at the time of enrollment. However, providing false information can lead to claim rejection.

10. Does PMJJBY cover suicide?

Suicide is not covered in the first year of policy commencement, as per scheme rules.

11. If I already have term insurance, should I still take PMJJBY?

Yes. PMJJBY acts as an additional safety net, especially useful because:

Premium is very low
Coverage is simple
Claim process is straightforward

However, it should not replace a proper term insurance plan.

PMSBY – Accident Insurance FAQs

12. What exactly does PMSBY cover?

PMSBY covers:

Accidental death: ₹2 lakh
Permanent total disability: ₹2 lakh
Permanent partial disability: ₹1 lakh

13. What is considered an accident under PMSBY?

An accident must be:

Sudden
External
Violent

Examples include road accidents, workplace accidents, falls, drowning, or electrical accidents.

14. What is not covered under PMSBY?

PMSBY does not cover:

Death due to illness or natural causes
Suicide
Self-inflicted injuries
Alcohol or drug-related incidents

15. What is the age limit for PMSBY?

Entry age: 18 to 70 years
Coverage continues up to age 70 with yearly renewal.

16. Is PMSBY valid outside India?

Yes. PMSBY coverage is valid worldwide, as long as the accident meets scheme conditions.

Premium, Renewal & Bank Account FAQs

17. What happens if there is insufficient balance during auto-debit?

If the premium cannot be auto-debited due to insufficient balance:

Policy may lapse
Coverage stops
You must re-enroll to restart coverage.

18. Do PMJJBY and PMSBY renew automatically every year?

Yes, both schemes are auto-renewed annually as long as:

Bank account is active
Sufficient balance is available
Consent remains valid

19. Can I enroll from more than one bank account?

No. An individual can enroll only once per scheme, even if they have multiple bank accounts.

20. Can I cancel PMJJBY or PMSBY anytime?

Yes. You can cancel by:

Informing your bank
Revoking auto-debit consent
No refund is provided for the current policy year.

Nominee & Claim FAQs

21. Who will receive the claim amount?

The registered nominee receives the claim amount. If no nominee is registered, the legal heir must provide additional documentation.

22. How long does it take to settle a claim?

If documents are complete, claims are usually settled within 30 to 60 days.

23. What documents are required for claim settlement?

Common documents include:

Claim form
Death certificate / disability certificate
FIR and post-mortem (for accidents)
Aadhaar and bank details

24. Can claims be rejected?

Yes, claims may be rejected due to:

Non-payment of premium
Incorrect or false information
Exclusions under the scheme
Missing documents

Practical & Common Doubts

25. Can students apply for PMJJBY and PMSBY?

Yes, students aged 18 years and above with a bank account can enroll.

26. Can homemakers enroll in these schemes?

Yes. Homemakers with a savings bank account are eligible.

27. Are PMJJBY and PMSBY enough for family protection?

No. These schemes provide basic protection only. For complete financial security, they should be combined with:

Term life insurance
Health insurance

28. What happens if I change my bank account?

You must re-enroll through the new bank account, as policies are linked to the specific account.

29. Can I update nominee details later?

Yes. Nominee details can be updated anytime by visiting your bank or through internet banking.

30. Why are PMJJBY and PMSBY recommended for low-income earners?

Because they offer:

Extremely low premiums
Government-backed reliability
Simple enrollment
Strong financial protection

They are ideal as a first step into insurance.

Advice for Policyholders

PMJJBY and PMSBY are not investment products. They are protection tools designed to provide dignity and financial support during difficult times.

A few minutes of enrollment today can protect your family for years.

Final Thoughts: Small Premium, Big Protection

PMJJBY and PMSBY are among the most powerful social security schemes in India. For less than ₹500 per year, families get financial protection worth ₹4 lakh.

These schemes reflect a simple financial truth: Protection should come before profit.

If you or your family members are eligible and not enrolled yet, this is one of the simplest and smartest financial decisions you can make today.