The Government of India continues to empower women across the nation through various welfare schemes, and the latest initiative making headlines is the Bima Sakhi Yojana 2025. This scheme aims to financially empower women in rural areas by engaging them as insurance facilitators under the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and other government-backed insurance programs.
With an assured income of up to ₹7,000 per month, Bima Sakhi Yojana not only offers a source of livelihood but also enhances financial literacy and service delivery in rural communities. The government has now started accepting application forms, and eligible women are encouraged to apply soon.
Let’s understand what the Bima Sakhi Yojana is all about, its objectives, eligibility criteria, benefits, and how to apply.
🔷 What is Bima Sakhi Yojana?
Bima Sakhi Yojana is a women-centric employment scheme launched under the broader umbrella of financial inclusion and insurance awareness. It focuses on recruiting and training women Self Help Group (SHG) members or rural women to assist in promoting and servicing insurance policies, especially those related to Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
These trained women, known as Bima Sakhis, will serve as local insurance representatives, helping fellow villagers to:
- Open and manage insurance accounts
- Raise awareness about life and accident insurance
- Assist in filling out claim forms
- Facilitate premium payments and renewals
🔶 Key Objectives of Bima Sakhi Yojana
- Women Empowerment: To provide an additional income source to rural women.
- Financial Literacy: Spread insurance awareness in remote and under-served areas.
- Social Security Expansion: Bring more citizens under the cover of life and accident insurance.
- Boost Rural Insurance Penetration: Reach last-mile users through grassroots-level engagement.
This initiative is a triple-win strategy – benefiting the government, insurance companies, and rural women all at once.
🔷 Monthly Income Under the Scheme
Every Bima Sakhi will be provided with:
- A fixed stipend of ₹5,000 per month for training and coordination
- Performance-based incentives up to ₹2,000 per month, depending on how many insurance enrollments and renewals they facilitate
➡ Total possible earning: ₹7,000/month
This regular income ensures financial independence and skill development for women who often have limited access to employment opportunities.
🔶 Who Can Become a Bima Sakhi?
To be eligible for this scheme, a woman must meet the following criteria:
✅ Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a resident of a rural area
- Age: Between 18 to 50 years
- Minimum education: Class 10 pass (some states may allow 8th pass)
- Preferably a member of a Self Help Group (SHG) under DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission)
- Should have basic knowledge of banking and documentation
- Must possess an active Aadhaar-linked bank account
📌 Note:
Women who are already active in Gram Panchayat committees, Mahila Mandals, or government outreach programs may be given preference during selection.
🔷 Roles and Responsibilities of a Bima Sakhi
The job of a Bima Sakhi is part social service, part administration. Her key responsibilities include:
- Helping villagers enroll in PMJJBY and PMSBY schemes
- Spreading insurance awareness door-to-door
- Assisting in claim settlement by guiding families in documentation
- Coordinating with local banks and LIC branches
- Keeping insurance records and renewals updated
- Organizing insurance awareness camps in the village
These women become the insurance face of the village, a bridge between formal financial institutions and rural communities.
🔶 Benefits of the Scheme
| Benefit Type | Details |
|---|---|
| 💼 Employment Opportunity | Guaranteed ₹7,000/month income |
| 📖 Training Provided | Full training on insurance schemes |
| 📊 Skill Development | Learning admin, sales & communication skills |
| 👩👧👧 Women Empowerment | Financial independence and leadership role |
| 🌐 Digital Access | Exposure to banking, insurance, and IT tools |
| 🤝 Community Respect | Become a key contributor in local development |
By promoting insurance in rural areas, Bima Sakhis play a vital role in improving the lives of poor and low-income households.
🔷 How to Apply for Bima Sakhi Yojana?
The application process is simple and mostly handled through rural development offices and SHG networks.
📝 Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Visit the nearest Block Development Office (BDO) or Gram Panchayat.
- Collect the Bima Sakhi Yojana Application Form or ask your SHG leader.
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, SHG membership info, and bank details.
- Attach necessary documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN card (if available)
- Bank passbook copy
- Proof of residence
- Education certificate
- Passport size photograph
- Submit the form to the designated SHG cluster coordinator or bank officer.
Once selected, women will undergo a training program (online or offline) followed by official appointment as a Bima Sakhi.
🔶 States Actively Participating in the Scheme
States with a strong network of SHGs under NRLM are taking the lead in implementing the Bima Sakhi Yojana. These include:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Madhya Pradesh
- Jharkhand
- Rajasthan
- Chhattisgarh
- Odisha
- West Bengal
- Assam
Other states are also adopting the model in pilot phases and will expand based on performance and demand.
🔷 Future Scope and Expansion
Given its success in increasing insurance coverage in low-income households, the Bima Sakhi Yojana is expected to be integrated with other government schemes like:
- PM Vishwakarma Yojana (for artisans)
- Ayushman Bharat (health insurance)
- Jan Dhan Yojana (banking access)
It also opens the door for Bima Sakhis to become Banking Correspondents (BCs) or Digital Didi trainers in the future, increasing their earning potential.
✅ Conclusion
The Bima Sakhi Yojana 2025 is a powerful step toward women-led development and rural financial inclusion. By offering a steady income and a purposeful role, the government is not just providing jobs but creating community leaders who will transform how rural India understands and accesses insurance.
If you or someone you know meets the eligibility criteria, this is the time to apply and become part of a movement that’s empowering women and protecting families—one insurance policy at a time.