**Summary:**
The Ministry of Rural Development and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand the Bima Sakhi Yojana, promoting financial inclusion and women's empowerment in rural India. Under this initiative, women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be trained and appointed as Bima Sakhis at the Gram Panchayat level to function as insurance agents. Aligned with the Prime Minister's vision of "Insurance for All by 2047" and the goal of "Atmanirbhar Bharat," the scheme aims to provide affordable insurance solutions to rural households, leveraging the Bima Sakhis' local knowledge and community connections to raise awareness about insurance and financial security. The key benefits of the scheme include economic empowerment of women through entrepreneurship, increased female workforce participation in rural areas, and the creation of a flexible, inclusive, community-based insurance network. The Bima Sakhi Yojana is designed to advance economic inclusion across India's rural landscape by interlinking social security and women empowerment. The Ministry plans to expand this partnership into a national movement through state government support, coordination with skill development programs, and active community participation. This information was released by PIB Delhi on July 24, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Rural Development: Government ministry that signed an MoU with LIC to promote financial inclusion in rural India.
Bima Sakhi Yojana: A scheme focused on social security and women empowerment through insurance inclusion in rural areas.
Life Insurance Corporation of India: A major insurance company that partnered with the Ministry of Rural Development for the Bima Sakhi Yojana.
Self Help Groups: Groups from which women will be selected and trained as Bima Sakhis.
Gram Panchayat: The village-level council where Bima Sakhis will be appointed.
Shri Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India, whose vision includes 'Insurance for All by 2047'.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A vision for a self-reliant India, aligned with the goals of the Bima Sakhi scheme.
Delhi: Location where the press release was issued.
Ministry of Rural Development
Bima Sakhi Yojana: A unique model of social
security and women empowerment
The reach of ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ will be expanded
to promote insurance inclusion in rural areas
Women to secure employment, villages to benefit
with social security
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi
A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Rural
Development and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), aimed at promoting financial inclusion in rural
India and empowering women. As per this partnership, trained women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) across
the country will be appointed as ‘Bima Sakhis’ at the Gram Panchayat level.
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’ and the
goal of a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat). The ‘Bima Sakhi’ scheme aims to not only make women
financially independent but also ensure the effective delivery of social security schemes to rural communities.
‘Bima Sakhis’, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, will function as insurance agents, providing
affordable insurance solutions to millions of households. Leveraging their local knowledge and social
connections, they will raise awareness about the importance of insurance, LIC products, and financial security
within their communities.
Key benefits of the scheme:Economic Empowerment of Women: ‘Bima Sakhis’ will become self-reliant through
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entrepreneurship.
Job Creation and Female Workforce Participation: Increased participation of women in the rural
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workforce.
Flexible and Inclusive Insurance Network: Community-based, trustworthy, and affordable
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insurance services will become accessible.
By interlinking social security and women empowerment, the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ is emerging as a landmark
initiative in advancing economic inclusion across India’s rural landscape. Moving forward, efforts will
continue to expand this partnership into a national movement through state government support, coordination
with skill development programs, and active community participation.
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RC/ KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2147858)