Independent guide. Money Schemes is not a government website and does not take applications or payments. Apply only on the official portal, at a post office, a bank branch or a Common Service Centre.
The PMJJBY scheme (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana) pays 2 lakh rupees to your nominee if you die from any cause while covered, for a premium of 436 rupees a year collected once a year from the savings account you hold at a bank or post office. Anyone aged 18 to 50 with such an account can join, and the cover can be renewed every year up to age 55.
It is a one year term life cover, renewed every year from 1 June to 31 May. There is no maturity amount and no money back; the premium buys protection for that year only. The Department of Financial Services runs it through life insurers tied up with each bank.
At a glance
Cover
2 lakh rupees on death from any causePremium
436 rupees a year, auto debitedJoin at age
18 to 50; cover continues to 55Cover year
1 June to 31 MayWaiting period
30 days from joining, except accidental deathOfficial site
PMJJBY scheme details in one table
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is spelt many ways online, such as pradhanmantri jeevan jyoti bima yojana or the pmjjy scheme, but the rules are the same everywhere.
| Point | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who can join | Savings account holders, bank or post office, aged 18 to 50 |
| Benefit | 2 lakh rupees to the nominee on death |
| Premium | 436 rupees a year, about 1.20 rupees a day |
| Renewal | Automatic each year by auto debit, until 55 |
| Number of policies | Only one, through one account, even if you have several |
| Tax | Premium may be claimed under section 80C under the old regime; claim amount is not taxed in the nominee's hands |
Pradhan mantri jeevan jyoti bima yojana benefits and limits
The main benefit is a flat 2 lakh rupee payout for death from illness, accident or any other cause. Two limits matter:
- Lien period: for the first 30 days after you join, only accidental death is covered. A death from illness in that window is not paid.
- Cover ends at age 55, when the account is closed, or when the balance is too low on the debit date. If the premium cannot be debited, you can join again later, but a new 30 day lien applies.
There is no medical test; you sign a declaration of good health.
Pradhan mantri jeevan jyoti bima yojana online apply and offline
- Online: log in to your bank's net banking or mobile banking, open the insurance or social security section and pick PMJJBY. Confirm the nominee and auto debit with an OTP.
- In person, at a branch or post office counter: fill the PMJJBY consent cum declaration form, available on jansuraksha.gov.in and at the counter.
- Give your account number, Aadhaar, mobile and nominee name with relation.
- Keep the acknowledgement slip as proof of insurance.
A bank business correspondent in your village can also enrol you.
How a family claims the money
- The nominee goes to the branch or post office where the account was held.
- Submit the claim form, the death certificate, the discharge receipt and a copy of the nominee's bank passbook.
- The bank checks the account and forwards the papers to the insurer.
- The insurer pays 2 lakh rupees into the nominee's account.
Submit the claim as early as possible after the death. If there is no nominee, legal heirs can claim with a succession document.
Pairing with accident cover
PMJJBY covers death only. For accident disability as well, many people also take PMSBY, which costs 20 rupees a year. For a regular income in old age, Atal Pension Yojana is another scheme you can join at the same bank. The overview of pensions and cover sets the three out together.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Premium debited twice | Enrolled through two accounts | Ask one bank to cancel and refund |
| Cover lapsed | Low balance in May end | Re enrol; keep 436 rupees in the account before 31 May |
| Claim delayed | Nominee name differs from ID | Give an affidavit or ID matching the record |
State wise toll free numbers for these schemes are listed on the Jan Suraksha portal.
Frequently asked questions
What is jeevan jyoti bima yojana in simple words?
It is a cheap yearly life cover. You pay 436 rupees a year from your savings account and your family gets 2 lakh rupees if you die during the cover year.
Can I get back the PMJJBY premium if nothing happens?
No. It is pure term cover. The premium pays for one year of protection and is not returned.
How do I stop PMJJBY?
Hand a signed letter to the office that holds your account, or use the stop option in net banking. The auto debit then stops from the next renewal.
Can I join pm jeevan jyoti bima yojana at 52?
No. Entry is only up to 50. If you joined before 50 and kept renewing, the cover continues until 55.
What does pradhanmantri jeevan jyoti yojana not cover?
It pays nothing for injury, hospital bills or disability, and nothing for a death from illness in the first 30 days. For accident disability, PMSBY is the matching scheme.
Does a post office account work for pmjjby yojana?
Yes. Post office savings account holders can join at their post office.
Official sources
- Jan Suraksha portal: PMJJBYwww.jansuraksha.gov.in
- PIB: revised PMJJBY and PMSBY premiumpib.gov.in
- Department of Financial Servicesfinancialservices.gov.in
Rules, amounts and portals can change. Check the official source before you apply or deposit.