Bima Sakhi Scheme by LIC empowers over 2 lakh women as insurance agents with stipend and career opportunities. Know eligibility, budget, and benefits.
Empowering Rural Women: LIC’s Bima Sakhi Scheme Enrolls Over 2 Lakh Women
The Government of India, through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), has successfully enrolled 2,05,896 women under its Bima Sakhi – Mahila Career Agent (MCA) Scheme, marking a swift rollout of a flagship women‑centric initiative Launched on December 9, 2024, the programme provides structured income and insurance outreach roles to rural and semi‑urban women
How the Scheme Functions
Under the Bima Sakhi model, women aged 18–70 years, with at least a Class X qualification, are enlisted as LIC agents. They receive monthly stipends for the first three years: ₹7,000 in Year 1, ₹6,000 in Year 2, and ₹5,000 in Year 3, subject to performance criteria like in‑force policies retention These stipends supplement sales commission income as the agents build their clientele.
Financial Disbursements & Budget Allocations
In FY 2024–25, LIC disbursed ₹62.36 crore in stipends, covering the newly inducted Bima Sakhis For FY 2025–26, a total of ₹520 crore has been allocated, of which ₹115.13 crore has already been disbursed up to July 14, 2025
Career Advancement Opportunities
The scheme offers upward mobility: graduate Bima Sakhis who complete five years of service and meet eligibility criteria can apply for LIC’s Apprentice Development Officer (ADO) positions—providing long‑term professional prospects
Policy Objectives and Reach
The Bima Sakhi initiative aligns with government priorities like the Insurance for All by 2047 mission, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, JanDhan se Jan Suraksha, and Digital India It targets the deployment of Self‑Help Group (SHG) women as local agents at the Gram Panchayat level, expanding insurance access in remote areas
Social and Economic Impact
By onboarding women in Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 regions, the Bima Sakhi programme promotes gender equity, economic empowerment, and financial literacy. Women not only earn a stable income but also act as grassroots ambassadors of insurance, fostering awareness and trust in financial products Achieving the enrollment target within six months highlights both the demand and potential of this scalable model
B) Why This News Is Important
Relevance for Government Exam Aspirants
Understanding the Bima Sakhi Scheme is essential for exams under GS Paper‑III (Inclusive growth and social sector initiatives) and current affairs sections. The initiative showcases how public policy addresses women’s employment, rural insurance penetration, and financial inclusion.
Policy Significance
The scheme is a practical example of the government’s commitment to Insurance for All by 2047 and reflects its objectives under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Skill India, and financial inclusion missions. It demonstrates how national schemes are tailored for grassroots impact—vital in explaining policy implementation and outcomes.
Career Scope & Empirical Learning
For banking, railways, defence, PCS, and civil services aspirants, details like budget allocation, performance metrics, stipend structure, and eligibility norms offer ready examples of welfare scheme design and monitoring mechanisms. These insights reflect how financial inclusion and gender equality can be pursued simultaneously via administrative programs.
C) Historical Context
Genesis and Evolution of the Scheme
The Bima Sakhi (MCA) Scheme was officially launched on 9 December 2024, as a LIC‑driven, government‑backed programme. It emerged under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM) to channel rural women into insurance careers. LIC signed a formal MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development during the Anubhuti conclave in Goa (July 2025) to expand outreach in rural India
Precedents and Related Initiatives
The scheme builds on prior efforts like SHG‑based livelihood schemes, Lakhpati Didi Mission, and Jan‑Dhan se Jan Suraksha, but marks a departure by integrating performance‑based stipends with insurance agency roles, enabling both income and skill development.
D) Key Takeaways from Bima Sakhi Scheme
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Over 2,05,896 women enrolled under LIC’s Bima Sakhi (MCA) scheme as of July 2025. |
| 2 | Monthly stipends: ₹7,000 (Yr 1), ₹6,000 (Yr 2), ₹5,000 (Yr 3) plus commission income. |
| 3 | LIC disbursed ₹62.36 crore in FY 2024‑25 and allocated ₹520 crore for FY 2025‑26, with ₹115.13 crore spent by mid‑July 2025. |
| 4 | Career pathway: Graduate Bima Sakhis who complete five years can apply for recruitment as LIC Apprentice Development Officers (ADO). |
| 5 | The scheme supports broader government objectives: Insurance for All by 2047, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, women’s empowerment via SHGs, and grassroots financial inclusion. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Bima Sakhi Scheme?
The Bima Sakhi Scheme is an initiative by LIC under the Ministry of Rural Development to recruit rural and semi-urban women as Mahila Career Agents (MCAs), offering income and training to promote insurance penetration.
2. Who is eligible to become a Bima Sakhi?
Any woman between 18–70 years of age with a minimum Class X qualification is eligible to apply under the Bima Sakhi Scheme.
3. How much stipend do Bima Sakhis receive?
Bima Sakhis receive ₹7,000 in Year 1, ₹6,000 in Year 2, and ₹5,000 in Year 3 along with commission income on insurance policies sold and maintained.
4. How many women have been enrolled so far under the scheme?
As of July 2025, a total of 2,05,896 women have been enrolled under the scheme.
5. What is the long-term career benefit for Bima Sakhis?
Women who serve for five years and meet LIC’s eligibility criteria can apply for the Apprentice Development Officer (ADO) post, offering a full-time government opportunity.
6. What government objectives does this scheme support?
It aligns with “Insurance for All by 2047”, “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, “Jan Dhan se Jan Suraksha”, and “Digital India”.
7. What budget allocation has been made for FY 2025–26?
₹520 crore has been allocated for FY 2025–26, with ₹115.13 crore disbursed till mid-July 2025.
8. Where was the MoU for this scheme signed?
The LIC–MoRD MoU was signed during the Anubhuti Conclave held in Goa in July 2025.
9. Is prior experience required to apply as a Bima Sakhi?
No prior insurance experience is required. Women are trained post-enrollment by LIC.
10. Which ministry supports the Bima Sakhi Scheme?
The Ministry of Rural Development supports this scheme in collaboration with LIC.
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