The Bima Sakhi Yojana is a government-backed scheme launched by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to empower women, especially in rural areas, by training them to become insurance agents.
The program aims to promote financial literacy, increase insurance penetration in underserved communities, and provide women with a sustainable career path.
The scheme focuses on three main goals: providing women with stable income and career opportunities, educating communities about financial planning and insurance, and bridging the gap in insurance awareness in rural and semi-urban areas through trained local women agents.
The Role and Responsibilities of a Bima Sakhi
A Bima Sakhi works as a trained insurance agent, connecting LIC with her local community. She helps people understand insurance and supports them throughout their policy journey.
- Community Education: Conducting workshops on financial literacy and explaining the importance of life and health insurance importance
- Policy Sales: Introducing and selling various LIC insurance plans to individuals and families in the area
- Customer Support: Helping policyholders with premium payments, policy renewals, and answering their questions regularly
- Claim Assistance: Guiding policyholders through the claim settlement process and providing necessary support when needed
- Documentation Work: Managing paperwork for new policies and renewals while maintaining accurate records properly
These responsibilities help Bima Sakhis build trust in their communities while earning a steady income from their work.
How to Earn a Monthly Income as a Bima Sakhi
The Bima Sakhi Yojana offers two main ways to earn money. Women get a fixed monthly payment for three years plus commissions from selling policies.
| Income Stream | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | ₹7,000 | ₹6,000* | ₹5,000* | – |
| Commission | Variable % | Variable % | Variable % | ✓ Continues |
| Bonuses | Available | Available | Available | Available |
Requires 65% policy retention from previous year
Key Benefits of Becoming a Bima Sakhi
Building sustainable livelihoods for rural women agents while bridging the insurance gap in underserved communities through personalized, culturally-sensitive service delivery.
For the Individual (The Bima Sakhi):
- Financial independence and self-reliance through a steady income
- Skill development in financial literacy, communication, and sales
- Flexible working hours allow a good work-life balance
- Social respect and recognition within the local community
- Career growth opportunities, including potential Development Officer roles
For the Community:
- Improved financial literacy and insurance awareness among families
- Improved social security and financial stability for households
- Increased access to essential insurance products in underserved areas
- Trust-based relationships with local trained insurance agents
Eligibility and Application Process
The Bima Sakhi Yojana has simple eligibility requirements that most women can meet. The application process is completely online and straightforward.
Eligibility
The following table shows who can apply for the Bima Sakhi Yojana:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Gender | Female only |
| Age | Between 18 and 70 years old |
| Education | Minimum 10th grade pass |
| Residence | Preference for rural area women |
Women are not eligible to apply if they are close relatives of existing LIC agents or employees. This includes spouse, children, parents, siblings, or in-laws of current LIC staff.
Note: Retired LIC employees, ex-agents, and current LIC agents are not eligible for this scheme.
Application Process
Step 1: Visit the official LIC website portal
Step 2: Guide to the Bima Sakhi application section
Step 3: Fill out the online application form with personal and educational details
Step 4: Upload required documents (age proof, address proof, 10th certificate, photograph)
Step 5: Pay the application fee of ₹650 and submit the form
Conclusion
The Bima Sakhi Yojana presents a valuable opportunity for women to earn a steady monthly income while contributing to their communities.
The scheme provides fixed monthly payments for three years plus commissions from policy sales. Women receive proper training, flexible work hours, and opportunities to advance their careers.
This program helps both individual women become financially independent and communities get better access to insurance services.
It’s a win-win situation that creates lasting benefits for everyone involved.
