Government Schemes

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) — How to Apply Online

Complete guide to PMSBY accident insurance scheme. Get ₹2 lakh accidental death cover and ₹1 lakh disability cover for just ₹20 per year.

CitizenNest Editorial Team7 min read
⚠️
Disclaimer: This is an independent informational guide. We are NOT affiliated with any government body. Always verify on official websites.

What is PMSBY?

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a government-backed accidental insurance scheme providing coverage against death or disability due to accidents. At just ₹20 per year, it's the most affordable accident insurance in India.

Launched in 2015 alongside PMJJBY (life insurance), PMSBY covers:

  • ₹2,00,000 for accidental death
  • ₹2,00,000 for total permanent disability
  • ₹1,00,000 for partial permanent disability

The premium is auto-debited annually from the subscriber's savings bank account.

Key Features

Feature Details
Premium ₹20/year
Accidental Death Cover ₹2,00,000
Total Permanent Disability ₹2,00,000
Partial Permanent Disability ₹1,00,000
Age Limit 18 to 70 years
Policy Period 1st June to 31st May (renewed annually)
Premium Debit On or before 31st May

Eligibility

  • Age: 18 to 70 years
  • Bank account: Active savings account with a participating bank
  • Aadhaar: Linked to bank account — see our Aadhaar guide
  • One policy only: Single PMSBY per person across all banks
  • No health declaration or medical test required

Coverage Details

What is Covered

  • Accidental death — Road accident, drowning, fall, electrocution, etc.
  • Total permanent disability — Loss of both eyes, or both hands/feet, or one eye and one hand/foot
  • Partial permanent disability — Loss of one eye, or one hand, or one foot

What is NOT Covered

  • Death due to natural causes (illness, disease)
  • Suicide
  • Self-inflicted injuries
  • Death or disability under influence of alcohol/drugs
  • War, invasion, nuclear risks
  • Participation in criminal activity

Disability Definitions

Condition Cover Amount
Loss of both eyes ₹2,00,000
Loss of both hands or feet ₹2,00,000
Loss of one eye + one hand/foot ₹2,00,000
Loss of one eye ₹1,00,000
Loss of one hand or foot ₹1,00,000

How to Enrol

Through Bank Branch

  1. Visit your bank branch
  2. Fill the PMSBY enrolment form
  3. Provide Aadhaar number and nominee details
  4. Authorize annual auto-debit of ₹20
  5. Collect acknowledgement

Through Net Banking

  1. Log in to your bank's net banking
  2. Go to Insurance or Government SchemesPMSBY
  3. Select your savings account
  4. Add nominee details
  5. Confirm and activate

Through Mobile Banking App

Available on SBI YONO, HDFC, ICICI, PNB, and most other major bank apps.

Through Missed Call/SMS (Select Banks)

Some banks offer activation via missed call or SMS — check your bank's specific process.

Claim Process

For Accidental Death

  1. Nominee contacts the bank where the deceased held PMSBY
  2. Obtain the PMSBY claim form from the bank
  3. Submit required documents:
    • Claim form
    • Death certificate
    • FIR / Police report
    • Post-mortem report
    • Nominee's Aadhaar and bank details
  4. Bank forwards to the insurance company
  5. Claim settled within 30 days
  6. ₹2,00,000 credited to nominee's bank account

For Disability Claim

  1. Insured person contacts the bank
  2. Submit:
    • Claim form
    • Medical/disability certificate from authorized hospital
    • FIR / accident report
    • Aadhaar and bank details
  3. Insurance company verifies and processes
  4. Amount credited to insured person's account

PMSBY + PMJJBY Combo

For comprehensive coverage at minimal cost:

Scheme Premium Coverage
PMSBY ₹20/year Accidental death/disability
PMJJBY ₹436/year Death due to any cause
Total ₹456/year Complete basic insurance

Recommendation: Enrol in both schemes from the same bank account for hassle-free premium deduction. See our PMJJBY guide for details.

Tax Benefits

  • Premium of ₹20 qualifies for deduction under Section 80C (though the amount is nominal)
  • The claim amount received is tax-free

Important Tips

  1. ₹20/year is negligible — There's no reason not to enrol; it's cheaper than a cup of chai
  2. Maintain ₹50+ balance before 31st May to ensure premium deduction
  3. Inform your family about PMSBY — Nominees often don't know the policy exists
  4. It's only accident cover — Pair with PMJJBY or term insurance for death due to illness
  5. Renew awareness — The policy renews automatically via auto-debit; ensure the mandate continues

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PMSBY cover death due to illness?

No, PMSBY covers only accidental death and disability. For death due to illness or natural causes, you need PMJJBY or other life insurance.

Can senior citizens above 60 join PMSBY?

Yes, PMSBY is available for ages 18 to 70. This is one of the few insurance schemes available to senior citizens at a flat rate with no age-based premium increase.

What if my premium is not deducted?

If the ₹20 is not auto-debited (due to insufficient balance or closed account), your coverage lapses for that year. You can re-enrol by ensuring balance and giving fresh consent.

Can I have PMSBY from multiple banks?

No, you can have only one PMSBY policy. If enrolled from multiple accounts, duplicate enrolments will be cancelled, and excess premiums may not be refunded.

How do I check if I'm enrolled in PMSBY?

Check your bank statement for the ₹20 debit around May-June. You can also ask at your bank branch or check through net banking under insurance/government schemes section.

Is PMSBY available for NRIs?

No, PMSBY is available only for resident Indian citizens with an active savings bank account in India.


Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the Government of India or any insurance company. Verify current scheme details on jansuraksha.gov.in.