The table below summarises some key details about the government life insurance scheme that one should know.

Name of the scheme	PMJJBY.
Full form	Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Yojana.
Launched by	Government of India.
Type of scheme	Life insurance scheme.
Covers	Death (natural or accidental).
Annual premium amount	Rs 436 per year.
Coverage amount	Rs 2 lakh.
Eligible age	For people between the ages of 18 to 50 years (extendable up to 55 years).
Validity of the policy	1 year (from 1st June to 31st May) after which renewal is needed, which happens automatically if one has complied with all the essential requirements.
Is a medical checkup needed?	No, a self-declaration stating that one is in good health is enough.
Mode of application	Online and offline.

The Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY) is a life insurance scheme launched by the government of India in the year 2015. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide an affordable life insurance cover to the people of India, especially those who come from low-income backgrounds. The annual premium amount is set at Rs 436 with a coverage of Rs 2 lakh, so that it does not become financially burdensome on people in any way. The scheme is implemented through the Ministry of Finance / LIC (insurance provider) or other approved insurers.

People are required to fulfil some eligibility conditions to successfully apply for the govt life insurance scheme. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Applicants should be between the ages of 18 to 50 years. (Note that when a policyholder crosses the age of 50 years, they can extend this policy for another 5 years).

• Applicant must have an active savings bank account with a recognised bank in India as one of the essential features. i.e. of auto-debit is linked to the bank account of the applicant.

• Ensure to provide explicit consent for the auto-debit of the premium of the policy. One is also required to be willing to submit a self-declaration stating that they are in good health.

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can also apply to become a part of the Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Yojana, provided that they have an active savings account in an Indian bank and that they fulfil all the eligibility prerequisites. Please note that when it comes to the credit of the claim, the claim will only be deposited in Indian currency in the bank account of the nominee.

Applicants are required to attach some supporting documents while completing the application process for the govt insurance scheme. The list of those documents is as follows:

• Aadhaar card

• PAN card

• Bank passbook

• Auto-debit consent form

• Self-declaration of good health

The Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Yojana is a significant govt life insurance scheme. The PMJJBY Premium 2026 / Rs. 436 provides Indian citizens with an affordable security blanket, protecting them and their families against the unpredictable events of life.

When one complies with all the conditions needed to ensure smooth auto-renewal, they just have to pay Rs 436 from 1st June to 31st May. However, if anyone attempts to join the insurance scheme after the said cycle starts, a pro-rata premium is applicable on their premium amounts, which means that they don’t have to pay the premium for the entire year.

Month of joining	Applicable rate
If one joins in June, July, or August	The full amount of Rs 436 applies.
If one joins in September, October, or November	Rs 342 will be debited (coverage till May 31).
If one joins in December, January, or February	Rs 228 will be debited (coverage till May 31).
If one joins in March, April, or May	Rs 114 will be debited (coverage till May 31).

This pro-rata system makes the whole insurance scheme much more affordable and fairer for the people, especially those who come from low-income backgrounds. Please note that no matter the paid premium amount, if, unfortunately, anything happens, the coverage amount of Rs 2 lakh remains the same.

One can apply for the government insurance scheme by following the process outlined below for clarity. The PMJJBY Apply Online 2026 process is broken down into steps for one’s better understanding:

Step 1: Please visit the official website of Jaagruk Bharat.

Step 2: Find the ‘services’ option, and navigate to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana’ option.

Step 3: Fill in the requested information and upload the required documents.

Step 4: Make the payment and complete the registration process, and then let us take care of the rest.

Step 1: Please log in to the official website or application of your bank and log in to your account using your credentials, like user ID and password.

Step 2: After logging in, select the options concerning ‘Insurance’ or ‘Government Schemes’. Search for the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and click on it.

Step 3: After selecting the name of the scheme, you will be required to fill in the application form with your basic personal details, like name, date of birth, and nomination of the beneficiary.

Step 4: Ensure that the filled information is accurate, and then select the account for which you would like to set up the auto-debit. Auto-debit is a very useful feature that automatically deducts the premium account every month.

Step 5: Upload the self-declaration, review all the details once, and then click on ‘Submit’.

Step 1: Visit the nearest branch of your bank and request the bank staff to provide you with a PMJJBY application form. One can also PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Form PDF Download from its online portal or through the bank’s site and fill it in advance.

Step 2: Fill in the details in your application form carefully and accurately.

Step 3: Attach the copies of the supporting documents and sign the consent form for setting up auto-debit. Auto-debit will automatically deduct the premium amount every month. Make sure to attach a self-declaration stating that you are in good health.

Step 4: Review the details filled in the form and then submit it all to the bank staff. Once your application is approved for the govt life insurance scheme, the premium will start getting debited every month.

Step 1: Please download the UMANG application from the Play Store or App Store on your device.

Step 2: Register for the application using your mobile number. If you already have an account, log in to it.

Step 3: Search for the PMJJBY scheme and select it. Fill in the application form of the scheme, upload the supporting documents, and enter your bank-related details.

Step 4: Check the accuracy of the information filled in, agree to all the terms and conditions of the scheme, and then click on ‘Submit’.

One can apply to become a part of the scheme through a Jan Dhan account or a Post Office account. The steps of doing the same are laid down below for one’s reference:

Step 1: Visit the nearest post office that offers savings and insurance-linked services.

Step 2: Request the staff working at the establishment for an application form for the PMJJBY. Fill in your personal information in the form carefully.

Step 3: Ensure to complete the Know Your Customer verification procedure, as post offices generally need it.

Step 4: Attach the self-attested supporting documents to the application.

Step 5: Review the application and the order of the documents once before submitting the form to the post office staff. The officials will verify your details, and if approved, you will receive a confirmation SMS regarding the same.

There is a predetermined exclusion criterion for this government life insurance scheme. If anyone falls under this criterion, their claims can and will be denied. The exclusion criteria are described below for one’s holistic understanding:

• If the policyholder commits suicide within one year of becoming a part of the insurance scheme, the claim for their policy won’t be payable.

• In case anyone’s annual premium payment. i.e., Rs 436 does not get auto-debited due to insufficient funds or any other reason, their policy will be temporarily inactive. If anything happens during the inactive period of the policy, the policyholder's family would not be able to apply for claims.

• If the personal information, like age or health status of the policyholder, is incorrect or found misleading, the insurer has the power to reject their claim requests.

If, unfortunately, the primary insurance holder dies, their families can apply for the PMJJBY claim. We have described the PMJJBY claim process in a stepwise manner for one’s convenience.

Step 1: Start by informing your bank of the death of the policyholder as soon as possible by visiting the nearest branch of your bank.

Step 2: Request the bank staff to provide you with a PMJJBY claim form.

Step 3: Fill in all the details in the claim form, such as the name of the deceased policyholder, date and cause of death, information of the nominee, details of the insurance and bank account, etc.

Step 4: Attach the copies of the required documents and review them all once before submitting them to the bank staff.

Step 5: After receiving your claim request, the bank will conduct a thorough verification check. After their own verification, they will forward your claim request to the insurance provider along with their own detailed verification report. The insurance company will do a background check to ensure that there are no discrepanies and if everything comes clean, the claim will be approved and will be credited to the nominee’s bank account.

When putting in the request for the PMJJBY claim, applicants have to attach some documents supporting their claim. The list of documents is as follows:

• Death certificate of the policyholder

• Aadhaar card of the nominee and the deceased policyholder

• Bank account details of the nominee

Applicants can also check the status of their applications by following a simple online procedure mentioned below in brief:

Step 1: Visit the official website of your bank and log in to your account using your credentials.

Step 2: Post logging in, navigate to the ‘Govt Schemes’ section and then search for the name of the PMJJBY scheme.

Step 3: After selecting PMJJBY, the page will be redirected to a dashboard dedicated to the same, wherein you will also find the ‘View Enrollment Status’ option.

Step 4: Click on it, after which the system will show you the status of your application as active, inactive, or lapsed.

Applicants can also download the soft copy of the PMJJBY Policy Certificate for their reference. The process of downloading is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the official website of your bank and log in to your account using your credentials.

Step 2: Post logging in, navigate to the ‘Govt Schemes’ section and then search for the name of the PMJJBY scheme. Click on it.

Step 3: On the scheme’s dashboard, you will find the ‘Download Certificate’ option. Click on it, and your insurance policy certificate will get downloaded to your device in PDF format.

Renewal of the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana happens automatically, but only if policyholders have done their part correctly. Some things to note and take care of concerning the PMJJBY auto-debit / 31 May renewal deadline are as follows:

• Ensure that your bank account is linked to the PMJJBY scheme.

• Make sure that your bank account has a sufficient balance. i.e., at least Rs 500 as the premium is Rs 436. Be extra vigilant regarding this before 31st May, as auto-renewal happens around this date.

• Do check if auto-debit is enabled for the premium deduction for this govt life insurance.

On or a day after 31st May, you will receive an SMS or email concerning the debit of the premium and renewal for the next cycle. i.e., from June till May of the next year.

One should opt for the services provided by Jaagruk Bharat for several key reasons. Not only does it have amazing benefits, but various aspects make Jaagruk Bharat services an optimum choice.

• Digitised Process: Jaagruk Bharat is an online platform that allows you to apply for PMJJBY insurance from the comfort of your home.

• Direction: The platform provides users with clear instructions about the PMJJBY premium 436 plan details that would help eliminate doubt and confusion.

• Enhances ease: Jaagruk Bharat just requires some basic information from your end to complete the complex task on its own.

• Assistance team: Our assistance team will help you with any queries you might have regarding the PMJJBY premium or the process of the PMJJBY status check via the jansuraksha.gov.in (official portal) through chat or call at your convenience.

• Fair charges: Services provided by Jaagruk Bharat can be availed at affordable prices.

The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana offers several benefits. Some of its benefits are laid out below:

• PMJJBY scheme is an extremely affordable insurance cover that starts from a premium amount of Rs. 436 p.a.

• Beneficiaries of the Jeevan Bima Yojana are provided with an insurance coverage worth Rs. 2 lakhs in case of medical emergencies.

• The process of application and renewal of the Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is straightforward, so that people can register quickly without many complications.

If eligible individuals fail to apply for the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, they would be forced to bear all the hefty medical-related expenses themselves, which can have serious implications on their health or their family’s health.

Key differences between the PMJJBY and PMSBY are described below in brief points in a tabular format:

Component	PMJJBY	PMSBY
Full form	Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.	Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Type of insurance	Life insurance.	Accidental insurance.
Main benefit	Provides financial support to the policyholder’s family after their death.	Protects people against accidents.
Covers	Covers the death of the policyholder due to any reason (natural or accidental).	Covers death or disability due to an accident only.
Compensation amount	Rs 2 lakh (on the death of the policyholder).	Rs 2 lakh when one unfortunately gets into an accident.
Annual premium	Rs 436.	Rs 20 per year.
Eligibility	People between the ages of 18 to 50 years (scheme can be renewed till the policyholder attains the age of 55 years).	18 to 70 years.
Is a health declaration required?	Yes, required.	Not needed.

Before getting to the question of ‘what to choose’ or ‘when to choose’, let us help you understand the core components of PMJJBY and LIC’s Term Insurance.

Component	Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana	LIC’s Term Insurance
Offered by	Government of India.	Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
Type of the insurance plan	A government life insurance scheme.	Individual term life insurance policy.
Coverage amount	Rs 2 lakh (fixed).	Ranges from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore (flexible).
Premium amount	Rs 436.	Varies based on specific things, like age and health condition of the policyholder, and others.
Is a medical check-up required?	A basic self-declaration is needed stating that one is in good health.	A complete formal medical checkup by a medical professional is needed.
Eligibility	For people between the ages of 18 to 55 years.	For people between the ages of 18 to 65 years (varies).
Claim amount	Not enough for one’s long-term needs.	Comparatively more.

The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is an ideal option for people who are looking for simple and affordable options. The application process for the scheme is also very easy and does not require a lot of paperwork. The scheme is backed by the government, which makes it much more trustworthy and safe.

On the other hand, one should choose LIC’s Term Insurance plan if they have long-term responsibilities in mind. This insurance policy provides a large amount of coverage (usually going up to crores as well), which makes it a strong protective shield for the policyholder and their family.

Whichever one you ned up choosing, please note that both the life insurance policies aim for one and the same thing, and that is protecting people and their families against life’s uncertainties.