PMJJBY (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana) is a government-backed life insurance scheme that gives ₹2 lakh cover for a very small yearly premium. It is one of the cheapest ways for ordinary families in India to get basic life protection through their bank or post office account. This 2026 guide explains PMJJBY premium, eligibility, benefits, how to enrol online and offline, the claim process and important rules every account holder should know.
PMJJBY 2026: Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana |
| Launched | May 2015 |
| Life cover | ₹2 lakh on death due to any cause |
| Annual premium | ₹436 (auto-debited from your account) |
| Age to join | 18 to 50 years (cover continues up to 55 if premiums are paid) |
| Cover period | 1 June to 31 May every year, renewable |
| Who offers | LIC and other life insurers through banks and post offices |
What Is PMJJBY?
PMJJBY is a one-year renewable term life insurance scheme under the Jan Suraksha schemes of the Government of India. If the insured person dies due to any reason during the cover period, the nominee receives ₹2 lakh. There is no maturity or surrender value, which keeps the premium extremely low.
The scheme is designed for people who may not have any life insurance at all, such as daily-wage workers, small traders, farmers and low-income families. Anyone with a savings bank or post office account can join PMJJBY in a few minutes.
Eligibility for PMJJBY
- Age between 18 and 50 years at the time of joining.
- A savings bank account or post office savings account.
- Consent for auto-debit of the yearly premium.
- Aadhaar is the primary KYC for the bank account.
If a person has accounts in multiple banks, they can join PMJJBY through only one account. Cover continues until age 55, provided the premium is paid every year.
PMJJBY Premium Explained
The annual PMJJBY premium is ₹436, auto-debited from your account on or before 31 May each year for the cover starting 1 June. If you join in the middle of the year, a pro-rata premium may apply depending on the month of joining, as per current rules. Make sure your account has enough balance before the renewal date, otherwise the cover may lapse.
The premium was revised from ₹330 to ₹436 in 2022 to keep the scheme sustainable. Compared with any regular term insurance policy, PMJJBY remains extremely affordable.
Benefits of PMJJBY
- ₹2 lakh life cover for death due to any cause, including illness and accident.
- Very low premium of ₹436 a year, about ₹1.2 a day.
- No medical test required at the time of joining; a self-declaration of good health is enough.
- Easy enrolment through net banking, mobile banking, bank branch or post office.
- Auto-renewal through auto-debit every year.
- Tax benefit on premium under Section 80C in the old tax regime, subject to conditions.
Important Rule: 30-Day Lien Period
For new enrolments, PMJJBY has a lien period of 30 days from the date of enrolment. During this period, claims for death due to causes other than accidents are not payable. Death due to an accident is covered even during the lien period. This rule prevents misuse by people joining only when they are already seriously ill.
How to Enrol in PMJJBY Online
- Log in to your bank’s net banking or mobile banking app.
- Look for “Social Security Schemes”, “Jan Suraksha” or “Insurance” in the menu.
- Select PMJJBY.
- Choose the account from which the premium will be debited.
- Enter nominee details carefully.
- Accept the declaration of good health and terms.
- Confirm; the premium is debited and you get an acknowledgement-cum-certificate of insurance.
Many banks also allow enrolment through SMS or the Jan Suraksha portal. Keep the acknowledgement safe for future reference.
How to Enrol in PMJJBY Offline
- Visit your bank branch or post office where you have a savings account.
- Ask for the PMJJBY application-cum-declaration form, or download it from the official Jan Suraksha website.
- Fill in your details, account number and nominee.
- Sign the auto-debit consent and good health declaration.
- Submit the form; the bank will debit the premium and give you an acknowledgement slip.
When Does PMJJBY Cover End?
- When the member reaches 55 years of age.
- When the bank account is closed or does not have enough balance for renewal.
- If a person is covered through more than one account, cover is limited to ₹2 lakh and extra premium may be forfeited.
If cover lapses, you can usually rejoin by paying the premium and submitting a fresh declaration, subject to the lien period and rules at that time.
PMJJBY Claim Process
If the insured person dies, the nominee should follow these steps:
- Inform the bank or post office where the account was held as soon as possible.
- Collect and fill in the claim form along with the discharge receipt.
- Attach the death certificate, the nominee’s ID and bank details, and the insured person’s account details.
- For accidental or unnatural death, additional documents like FIR and post-mortem report may be asked.
- Submit the documents at the bank branch; the bank forwards the claim to the insurer.
- The claim amount is credited to the nominee’s bank account after verification.
The scheme rules set timelines for banks and insurers to process claims. If there is a delay, the nominee can approach the bank manager or the insurer’s grievance cell.
Documents Checklist for Nominees
- Claim form and discharge receipt
- Death certificate (original or certified copy)
- Nominee’s Aadhaar and bank passbook copy
- Copy of the PMJJBY acknowledgement slip, if available
- FIR and post-mortem report in case of accidental death
PMJJBY vs PMSBY: What’s the Difference?
| Point | PMJJBY | PMSBY |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Life insurance | Accident insurance |
| Cover | ₹2 lakh on death due to any cause | ₹2 lakh on accidental death or full disability; ₹1 lakh for partial disability |
| Annual premium | ₹436 | ₹20 |
| Age | 18–50 (cover till 55) | 18–70 |
Both schemes together give very affordable basic protection. Read our PMSBY scheme guide to join the accident cover too, and see the Atal Pension Yojana 2026 guide for retirement income.
Who Should Join?
- Workers in the unorganised sector without employer insurance
- Small farmers, fishermen and daily-wage earners
- Young earners who have just started working
- Homemakers with their own bank accounts
- Anyone who wants low-cost basic cover in addition to other insurance
Even if you already have a term insurance policy, this ₹2 lakh cover is a useful extra layer at very low cost.
Jan Suraksha Schemes at a Glance
The Government of India launched three social security schemes together in 2015 under the Jan Suraksha umbrella, aimed at bringing basic insurance and pension to ordinary citizens:
- Life cover: ₹2 lakh on death due to any cause for a small yearly premium.
- Accident cover (PMSBY): ₹2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability at ₹20 a year.
- Pension (Atal Pension Yojana): Guaranteed monthly pension after 60, based on contributions.
All three can be linked to the same savings account and managed through net banking or the branch. Together they form a simple safety net for families that may not have access to private insurance or employer benefits.
Why Low-Cost Life Cover Matters
Many families in India depend on a single earning member. If that person dies unexpectedly, the family may face debt, loss of income and disruption of children’s education. A sum of ₹2 lakh may not replace years of income, but it provides immediate support for funeral expenses, clearing small loans, paying school fees and managing household costs for some months. For families with no other insurance, this support can make a huge difference during a very difficult time.
Financial advisors still recommend a proper term insurance plan for earning members with dependants, because ₹2 lakh is a basic cover. The government scheme works best as a starting point or an additional layer.
Tips for Bank Account Holders
- Check whether you are already enrolled through your bank; some customers enrol during account opening.
- Make sure your Aadhaar and mobile number are linked to the account.
- Keep at least a small balance throughout May for the renewal debit.
- Review the nominee every year and update it if your family situation changes.
- Tell your spouse or adult children about the insurance and keep the acknowledgement slip with family documents.
For Non-Resident Indians
NRIs who hold eligible savings accounts in Indian banks may be able to enrol, subject to the bank’s rules and the scheme guidelines. In case of a claim, the benefit is paid in Indian rupees to the nominee’s account. NRI account holders should check with their bank whether their account type is eligible and how renewals work while they are abroad.
Role of Banks and Insurers
Banks act as the link between customers and insurers. They enrol members, collect premiums through auto-debit, and help nominees with claims. The life insurer, such as LIC or another insurer tied up with the bank, settles the claim. If you face difficulty, you can contact the bank’s customer care, the insurer’s grievance cell, or use the government’s public grievance portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Low balance on renewal date: If the account does not have ₹436 at the end of May, the cover may lapse.
- Wrong nominee details: Update the nominee after marriage or other life changes.
- Enrolling through multiple banks: Only one cover is valid; extra premiums are wasted.
- Not informing family: Nominees must know the insurance exists to claim it.
- Losing the acknowledgement: Keep a photo or copy of the certificate of insurance.
How to Check If You Are Enrolled
You can check enrolment status in several ways: look for the yearly ₹436 debit in your passbook or bank statement around May, check the insurance or social security section in your net banking, or ask at the branch. Some banks send an SMS confirming renewal every year. If you find a debit you did not authorise, ask the bank for details; you can opt out by giving written instructions.
How to Cancel or Opt Out
If you do not want to continue, submit a written request to your bank or post office to stop the auto-debit before the renewal date. Once cancelled, cover ends at the end of the current policy year. You can rejoin later if you are still within the eligible age, subject to the lien period.
Example: How the Scheme Helped a Family
Ramesh, a 38-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Palakkad, joined the scheme through his bank’s mobile app after seeing a message from the bank. He paid the yearly premium for several years without thinking much about it. When he died suddenly of a heart attack, his wife informed the bank. With the death certificate and her ID, she submitted the claim, and within weeks ₹2 lakh was credited to her account. The money helped her clear small debts and continue their children’s education. This is the real value of a low-cost cover for ordinary families.
Tax Treatment
Under the old income tax regime, the yearly premium can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C, within the overall ₹1.5 lakh limit, subject to the usual conditions for life insurance premiums. The amount received by the nominee on the death of the insured person is generally exempt from tax under Section 10(10D). Under the new tax regime, the 80C deduction is not available, but the claim amount generally remains tax-free. Keep the premium debit entry in your bank statement as proof if you claim the deduction.
Spreading Awareness in Your Community
Many eligible people, especially in rural areas and among informal workers, still do not know about these low-cost schemes. Kudumbashree groups, self-help groups, panchayat members, bank mitras and business correspondents play a big role in spreading awareness and helping people enrol. If you are already covered, share the information with relatives, domestic workers, drivers and shop assistants you know. Helping one family enrol can protect them from severe hardship in the future.
Banks also run special enrolment camps from time to time. Watch for announcements at your local branch or through SMS from your bank, and use these camps to enrol family members together. Remember to carry each person’s passbook and Aadhaar so that enrolment can be completed on the spot, and ensure every member names the right nominee.
Keeping Records for Your Family
Create a simple family document file with copies of bank passbooks, insurance acknowledgement slips, nominee details and important phone numbers of your bank branch. Store a photo of these documents securely on your phone or in cloud storage, and tell a trusted family member where the originals are kept. In an emergency, this preparation saves time and stress and ensures that your family receives every benefit they are entitled to without delay.
For the official scheme rules, forms and the list of participating banks, visit the government’s Jan Suraksha portal and the Department of Financial Services website. These sites also provide claim forms and frequently asked questions in several Indian languages, so family members who are more comfortable in Malayalam or Hindi can understand the process clearly before visiting the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PMJJBY premium in 2026?
₹436 per year, auto-debited from your bank or post office account.
Can I join PMJJBY after 50?
No. You must join between 18 and 50; cover can continue until 55 if you keep renewing.
Does PMJJBY cover death due to illness?
Yes. Death due to any cause is covered, except non-accidental death within the first 30 days of enrolment.
Is a medical test needed?
No. A self-declaration of good health is enough.
Can I have PMJJBY and another life insurance policy?
Yes. It does not affect other insurance policies.
Conclusion
PMJJBY gives every bank account holder an easy way to protect their family with ₹2 lakh life cover for just ₹436 a year. Enrol through net banking, mobile app, branch or post office, add a nominee, keep enough balance for auto-renewal and tell your family about the cover. Combine it with PMSBY for accident protection and you get strong basic security at a very low cost.
Disclaimer: Premium and rules may be revised by the government. Please verify the latest details on the official Jan Suraksha website or with your bank.