Lok Sabha Question No. 4137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Employment to Women under Bima Sakhi Initiative
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh, Shri Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4137

ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2025/SRAVANA 27, 1947 (SAKA)

## EMPLOYMENT TO WOMEN UNDER BIMA SAKHI INITIATIVE

4137. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA: SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- a)  whether  any  initiatives  has  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  employment  to women especially under Bima Sakhi in Life Insurance Corporation;
- b)  the details of the core objectives, estimated outcomes and the implementation status of the Bima Sakhi initiative and the manner in which it aligns with the Government's vision of 'Insurance for all" by 2047;
- c)  the  role  to  be  played  by  the  Bima  Sakhi  initiative  in  promoting  entrepreneurship  and financial independence among women with particular reference to the State of Rajasthan and Punjab;
- d)  the details of the process adopted for the selection, training and capacity-building of Bima Sakhis  at  the  grassroots  level  and  the  measures  taken  to  ensure  that  women  from SCs/STs and OBCs are given adequate representation in this initiative; and
- e)  whether the stipend fixed under the scheme is very low and if so, the steps taken by the Government to increase the same?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

- (a): Bima Sakhi- 'Mahila Career Agents (MCA) Scheme' of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) was launched on 9 th  December, 2024. The scheme aims to provide employment opportunities and financial independence to women. Further, performance-based incentives are offered by LIC in furtherance of the career of Bima Sakhis.
- (b)  and  (c):  The  scheme  promotes  financial  literacy,  insurance  awareness  and  insurance coverage including in rural areas & women therein, which aligns with the vision of Insurance for all.

The scheme provides stipend in addition to commission pay-outs to bima sakhis which help them build entrepreneurship skills apart from financial stability and regular source of income. As on 07.08.2025, total number of Bima Sakhis (MCAs) engaged are 2,20,339 and the total number of Bima Sakhis engaged in Rajasthan and Punjab are 16,176 and 4,202 respectively.

(d):  Any  woman applicant can be appointed as 'Mahila Carrer Agent-LIC's Bima Sakhi' upon fulfilling age, qualification and pre-recruitment test conditions along with eligibility criteria. Further, all Bima Sakhi agents go through training within three months of their appointment as per the provisions of the scheme. This scheme is open to women beneficiaries of all sections including SC/ST and OBC.

(e): LIC pays stipend to Bima Sakhis for first 3 years from their appointment to support them build a life insurance agency career. The amount of the stipend ranges from Rs 7000/- per month in the first year to Rs 5000/- in the third year. This is in addition to the commission they receive on the policies sold by them.

*****