RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2314
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026
PRAVASI BHARATIYA BIMA YOJANA
2314. SHRI SANDOSH KUMAR P
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of policies issued under the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana as on January 31, 2026;
(b) the state-wise details of emigrant workers who are currently covered under the Yojana, as on January 31, 2026; and
(c) the state-wise details of claims settled under the Yojana, as on January 31, 2026?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) Several measures and steps have been taken by the Government of India to ensure the well-being and protection of Indian workers overseas such as Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY). The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme for all Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to ECR countries. The scheme provides an insurance cover of INR 10 Lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and other benefits at a nominal insurance premium of INR 275/- for two years or INR 375/- for three years validity. The Scheme, initially launched in 2003, has been amended in 2006, 2008 and 2017 with the overarching objective of expanding the benefits for emigrant workers. The revised PBBY, operational w.e.f. August 1, 2017, has made settlement of claims simpler for the benefit of our workers and is aimed at ensuring expeditious settlement of claims.
From 2006 up to October 2025, there are a total number of 85,36,398 beneficiaries under PBBY. Details of the number of PBBY beneficiaries covered during the last three years are at Annexure-A.
The total number of claims settled till 31.10.2025 is 2,222.
The state-wise data of emigrant workers who have been issued Emigration Clearances from 2021 to 2025 is at Annexure-B.