Introduction
In India’s vast rural landscape, financial security for children often takes a backseat amidst daily struggles and limited access to financial services. To bridge this gap, the Department of Posts, Government of India, introduced the Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana under its Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) program. This unique child insurance plan empowers parents to safeguard their child’s future while cultivating the habit of long-term savings.

The Baal Jeevan Bima policy serves as a dual-purpose tool: it provides life insurance coverage for children and ensures financial stability even in the unfortunate event of the parent’s demise. Tailored specifically for rural and semi-urban families, this government-backed scheme offers peace of mind and financial assurance where private insurers often fail to reach.
This guide takes you through every aspect of the Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana — from its origins and eligibility to its benefits, exclusions, and application process.
Background and Origin
The Baal Jeevan Bima policy is part of a larger initiative — Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI), launched in 1995 to extend life insurance benefits to rural India. Before RPLI, life insurance services were largely limited to urban populations, leaving rural households vulnerable.
Recognizing the financial uncertainty faced by children in low-income families, the government introduced the Baal Jeevan Bima as an add-on policy. It allows parents already insured under RPLI to extend coverage to their children, ensuring their financial plans continue uninterrupted in all circumstances.
This initiative has proven especially valuable for rural parents like farmers, teachers, and small traders, who aspire to secure their children’s futures with minimal investment.
Objectives of the Baal Jeevan Bima Scheme
The Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana was created with a set of clear objectives:
- ✅ To provide financial security to children of RPLI policyholders.
- ✅ To ensure continuity of savings and financial planning even in the parent’s absence.
- ✅ To encourage rural families to adopt savings habits and improve financial literacy.
- ✅ To offer affordable life insurance coverage to children with a small premium.
- ✅ To promote long-term financial stability for dependents.
These goals make Baal Jeevan Bima more than just an insurance plan—it’s a socio-economic safety net for rural households.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure the scheme reaches its intended beneficiaries, strict eligibility guidelines apply:
Eligibility Factor | Requirement |
---|---|
Child’s Age | 5 to 20 years |
Parent’s Age | Up to 45 years at entry |
Parent’s RPLI Status | Must hold an active RPLI policy |
Maximum Children Covered | Up to 2 children per policyholder |
Residency | Must reside in a rural/semi-urban area |
The child’s policy is tied to the parent’s RPLI, and no independent Baal Jeevan Bima policies are issued.
Key Features of Baal Jeevan Bima
Here’s what makes Baal Jeevan Bima a standout child insurance product:
- ✅ Policy in the child’s name, but premiums are paid by the parent.
- ✅ Available only if the parent holds an active RPLI policy.
- ✅ No medical examination is required for the child.
- ✅ Premium waiver benefit in case the parent dies during the policy term.
- ✅ Maximum Sum Assured: ₹1,00,000 or equal to the parent’s RPLI coverage (whichever is lower).
These features make the policy accessible, affordable, and highly beneficial for rural households.
Sum Assured and Bonus
Sum Assured
- Minimum: ₹20,000
- Maximum: ₹1,00,000 (cannot exceed the parent’s RPLI sum assured).
Bonus
- India Post declares an annual bonus for RPLI policies.
- Current bonus rate: ₹48 per ₹1,000 sum assured annually.
- For a ₹1 lakh sum assured, the yearly bonus works out to ₹4,800.
This bonus significantly enhances the maturity value of the policy.
Premiums and Payment Modes
One of the major attractions of Baal Jeevan Bima is its ultra-low premium cost, making it affordable even for low-income families.
Example Premium Table for ₹50,000 Sum Assured:
Child’s Age | Monthly Premium |
---|---|
5 years | ₹10 |
10 years | ₹15 |
15 years | ₹20 |
Payment Options:
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Half-yearly
- Annually
Families can choose the mode that best fits their cash flow.
Benefits of Baal Jeevan Bima
- ✅ Life insurance coverage for children aged 5 to 20 years.
- ✅ Premium waiver facility if the parent dies during the policy term.
- ✅ Maturity amount + accrued bonus on survival of the policy term.
- ✅ Government-backed savings instrument with zero investment risk.
- ✅ Simplified claim process and minimal documentation.
This combination of benefits makes it one of the most robust child-focused policies in the public sector.
Death and Maturity Benefits
If the Child Dies Before Maturity:
The parent receives:
- Full Sum Assured + Accrued Bonus
If the Parent Dies During the Term:
- Future premiums are waived off.
- Policy continues till maturity.
- On maturity, the child receives:
- Full Sum Assured + Accrued Bonus
On Maturity:
- The child (or parent, if the child is still a minor) receives:
- Full Sum Assured
- Plus, accumulated bonuses
Exclusions and Restrictions
While the scheme is highly beneficial, it does come with certain limitations:
- ❌ No loan facility against the policy.
- ❌ No surrender value before completing 5 years.
- ❌ Policy cannot be taken independently—must be tied to the parent’s RPLI.
- ❌ Coverage limited to two children per family.
Application Process
How to Apply
- Visit your nearest post office offering RPLI services.
- Fill out the Baal Jeevan Bima application form.
- Submit the following documents:
- Parent’s RPLI policy proof.
- Child’s birth certificate.
- Parent’s and child’s identity proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.).
- Passport-size photographs.
- Pay the initial premium.
Online Process (In Select Regions)
- Visit India Post’s official portal.
- Navigate to RPLI > Children Policy section.
- Register and fill in details online.
- Pay the premium.
- Submit a hardcopy at the post office for verification.
Filing Claims
For Maturity Claims:
- Claim form.
- Child’s identity proof.
- Original policy document.
- Bonus statement.
For Death Claims:
- Death certificate.
- Policy documents.
- Proof of relationship with the child.
- Bank details for NEFT payment.
Example Case Studies
Case 1: Ravi’s Family
Ravi, a rural postmaster, enrolled his 7-year-old son under Baal Jeevan Bima for ₹50,000. Tragically, Ravi passed away in an accident three years later. The child’s premiums were waived off, and upon maturity, he received ₹50,000 + bonus (₹4,800 × 13) = ₹112,400.
Case 2: Sita’s Daughters
Sita, a farm laborer, insured both her daughters under BJB. She paid ₹20/month for 15 years. Upon maturity, each daughter received over ₹70,000, helping fund their higher education.
Comparison with Other Child Insurance Schemes
Feature | Baal Jeevan Bima | LIC Child Future | Sukanya Samriddhi |
---|---|---|---|
Age Limit | 5–20 | 0–12 | 0–10 (Girls only) |
Tax Benefits | 80C & 10(10D) | Yes | Yes |
Loan Facility | No | Yes | No |
Premium Waiver (Parent) | Yes | Yes | No |
Maturity + Bonus | Yes | Yes | Interest-based |
Advantages and Disadvantages
✅ Advantages
- Low-cost, government-backed insurance.
- Premium waiver on parent’s death.
- Attractive bonus rate.
- Tax-free maturity benefits.
- Simple application process.
❌ Disadvantages
- No loan facility.
- Limited to two children per family.
- Cannot be availed without the parent’s RPLI policy.
- Sum assured capped at ₹1 lakh.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I buy this policy if I live in a city?
No, Baal Jeevan Bima is exclusively for rural and semi-urban residents under RPLI.
Q2: What happens if my child dies during the policy term?
The parent receives the full sum assured along with the accrued bonus.
Q3: Is Aadhaar mandatory for application?
No, but it helps in faster processing.
Q4: Can I increase the sum assured later?
No, the sum assured is fixed at the time of purchase.
Summary
The Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana is a thoughtfully designed scheme for rural families seeking affordable, reliable insurance for their children. With low premiums, assured returns, and a premium waiver feature, it provides a safety net for vulnerable families.
Conclusion
In a country where millions of children face financial uncertainty, the Baal Jeevan Bima Yojana stands out as a life-transforming initiative. Managed by India Post and backed by the Government of India, this policy is ideal for parents who want to secure their children’s future even in their absence.
If you are a rural farmer, teacher, or small vendor with an RPLI policy, opting for Baal Jeevan Bima for your children is a prudent step. The nominal cost is far outweighed by the financial peace of mind it offers.