PMSBY at 11: Chhattisgarh beneficiaries say ₹20 premium is a lifeline
The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) completed 11 years on 9 May 2025, with beneficiaries in Balrampur district, Chhattisgarh saying the schemes have served as a critical financial safety net for low-income families facing accidents and sudden deaths. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May 2015, both schemes offer insurance protection at premiums as low as ₹20 per year.
What the Schemes Offer
PMSBY provides accidental death and disability cover of ₹2 lakh for an annual premium of just ₹20, auto-debited from a linked bank account. PMJJBY extends life insurance cover of ₹2 lakh for a modest annual premium, targeting individuals who would otherwise have no access to formal insurance. According to officials, the schemes have emerged as a major support system for families facing accidents, deaths, or sudden financial crises across the country.
Voices from Balrampur
Shailesh Gupta, a resident of Ramanujganj, said the scheme had brought tangible relief to ordinary households.
