Government urges higher enrollment in PMJJBY and PMSBY social security schemes
A senior Ministry of Labour official urged state governments on May 12 to intensify efforts to enrol informal sector workers in the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) insurance schemes. The call comes as enrollment figures have plateaued, with only 30 percent of eligible workers covered nationwide.
Both schemes, launched in 2015, provide low‑cost life and accident insurance respectively, targeting low‑income earners who typically lack formal social security. The PMJJBY offers a death benefit of ₹2 lakh, while PMSBY provides accidental death and disability coverage of ₹2 lakh, each for an annual premium of just ₹330 and ₹95. Despite their affordability, awareness remains a hurdle, especially in rural and semi‑urban regions.
The Hindu reported that the ministry’s spokesperson, Anil Kumar, said, “We must bridge the protection gap for informal workers; these schemes are a safety net for millions of families.” The Ministry of Finance’s recent data indicates that as of March 2026, PMJJBY has 96 million enrollees, while PMSBY stands at 81 million, far below the target of 150 million for each.
Policy experts argue that increasing enrollment requires coordinated outreach, digital facilitation, and partnership with microfinance institutions. Dr. Priya Menon, a social security researcher at the Centre for Policy Research, remarked, “Embedding enrollment in existing welfare delivery systems—like the Jan Dhan bank network—can streamline registration and ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.”
The ministry plans to launch a nationwide drive in the upcoming quarter, leveraging mobile applications and employer‑facilitated enrollment. Stakeholders will monitor the effectiveness of these measures, with the next progress review scheduled for September 2026, when the government hopes to achieve 50 percent coverage across both schemes.