PMSBY 2026: ₹2 Lakh Accident Cover for ₹20, Age, Claim

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) is a government-backed accident insurance scheme that pays ₹2 lakh on accidental death or total permanent disability, and ₹1 lakh on partial permanent disability, for a premium of just ₹20 a year. Any savings account holder aged 18 to 70 can join. As of October 2026 the scheme is active, with about 58.78 crore cumulative enrolments as of 1 July 2026, according to a Finance Ministry reply in the Lok Sabha.

Here is what is covered, what is not, how to join and how to claim.

PMSBY at a glance (as of October 2026)

What counts as an accident

The scheme defines an accident as a sudden, unforeseen and involuntary event caused by external, violent and visible means. Official FAQs from the Department of Financial Services clarify:

• Covered: road, rail and vehicle accidents, drowning, falls, snakebite, electrocution, murder, and death or disability from natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes.
• Not covered: suicide, death from illness, and partial disability that is not one of the listed losses (for example losing a finger, or a fracture that heals).
• Missing persons: the claim needs documentary evidence of accidental death; a person who is only missing is not covered until death is established.

Who is eligible

• Individual (single or joint) savings account holders of participating banks and post offices.
• Age 18 to 70.
• Only one account per person. If you are enrolled through two banks, only one claim is paid.
• NRIs with an eligible Indian bank account can join; claims are paid in rupees.

Worked example: what PMSBY pays

Suppose four account holders each pay ₹20 a year:

Over a long period the premium stays tiny: someone who joins at 25 and renews until 70 pays 45 × ₹20 = ₹900 in total at today's rate.

Combined with PMJJBY (₹436), the family of a person who dies in an accident could receive ₹2 lakh + ₹2 lakh = ₹4 lakh for ₹456 a year of premium. If the person also has a Jan Dhan RuPay card used in the 90 days before the accident, the separate RuPay accident cover (up to ₹2 lakh) may also be payable; see PM Jan Dhan Yojana.

How to enrol in PMSBY

1. Bank branch or post office: fill the PMSBY consent-cum-declaration form, name a nominee and sign the auto-debit consent.
2. Net banking or mobile banking: look for "Social Security Schemes", "Insurance" or "Jan Suraksha" and select PMSBY.
3. Bank Mitra (business correspondent) in villages.
4. e-Shram portal: registered unorganised workers can start enrolment in PMSBY and PMJJBY from their e-Shram login (see e-Shram card benefits).

Late joiners pay the full ₹20 and the cover starts from the date the premium is debited. There is no waiting period for accidents.

When the cover stops

• At age 70 (age nearest birthday).
• If the account is closed or does not have ₹20 on the auto-debit date at renewal.
• If premium is taken from two accounts, cover is limited to one and the extra premium can be forfeited.

To check whether you are covered, look for a ₹20 debit marked PMSBY (or similar) in your passbook or statement around late May or early June, or ask the branch for your certificate of insurance. Many banks also show active social security schemes in their mobile app.

Keep a small balance at the end of May every year. A missed auto-debit is the most common reason families find out too late that the cover had lapsed.

How to claim PMSBY

For accidental death (filed by nominee or legal heir):

1. Inform the bank branch where the account was held as soon as possible.
2. Collect and fill the PMSBY claim form (available at the bank, insurer offices and jansuraksha.gov.in).
3. Attach the death certificate, FIR or police report (for road, rail or vehicle accidents, drowning or crime), post-mortem report where done, nominee's ID and bank details.
4. For snakebite, falls and similar cases, attach hospital records that show the cause.

For disability (filed by the insured):

1. Submit the claim form at the bank with a disability certificate from a civil surgeon or competent medical authority, and treatment records.
2. The amount is credited to your own account.

Under the claims procedure issued in June 2021, the bank should forward a complete claim to the insurer within 7 days, and the insurer should approve and pay within 7 days after that.

Common reasons PMSBY claims are rejected

• Not an accident: death from heart attack, illness or suicide.
• Disability not on the list or not permanent.
• No police record for a road accident or drowning.
• Policy lapsed due to no balance on the renewal date.
• Duplicate enrolment: only one claim is paid.

See insurance claim rejected: reasons and fixes.

Where to complain

1. Bank branch and the insurer's grievance officer. Ask for a complaint number in writing.
2. Jan Suraksha helpline: toll-free 1800-180-1111 and 1800-110-001 are listed for these schemes; state numbers are on jansuraksha.gov.in.
3. Bima Bharosa (IRDAI) at bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in.
4. Insurance Ombudsman if the insurer rejects the claim unfairly or does not reply within 30 days.
5. RBI Integrated Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in if the bank sits on the claim form.

Claims are free. Do not pay anyone who promises to "pass" a PMSBY claim.

PMSBY vs a private personal accident policy

PMSBY is the cheapest accident cover available, but it has a fixed ₹2 lakh ceiling, no temporary disability benefit and no hospital cover. A private personal accident policy can offer cover linked to your income and weekly benefits during recovery. Compare them in personal accident vs term insurance.

Key takeaways

• PMSBY is active as of October 2026: ₹20 a year for ₹2 lakh accidental death or total disability cover, ₹1 lakh for partial permanent disability.
• Ages 18-70, one bank account only, policy year 1 June to 31 May.
• Snakebite, drowning, murder and natural disasters are covered; suicide, illness and hospital bills are not.
• An FIR or hospital record proving the accident is essential for a claim.
• Keep ₹20 in the account at renewal and pair PMSBY with PMJJBY for ₹456 a year of basic cover.