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Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana, 2017 

The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme aimed at safeguarding  the interests of Indian emigrant workers falling under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category  going for overseas employment to ECR countries. The Scheme, initially launched in 2003, has been  amended in 2006, 2008 and 2017 with the overarching objective of strengthening the  coverageofemigrantworkers . 

The last comprehensive review of the Scheme has been undertaken during 2017 in consultation with  all stake holders. The revised scheme PBBY, 2017 has become operational w.e.f. August 1,2017.  Presently, the scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakhs in case of accidental  death/permanent disability at an insurance premium of Rs. 275 and Rs. 375 for a period of two and  three years respectively. The revised scheme has also been made compulsory for various professions  falling under work categories under Section 2(o) of Emigration Act, 1983 irrespective of the passport  categories. PBBY, 2017 also includes global insurance coverage irrespective of employer and  location, has facility for online renewal and a simplified process for certification of accidental  death/permanent disability. The scheme is now more beneficial for emigrant workers and is aimed at  ensuring an expeditious settlement of claims. 

Salient features of PBBY, 2017 are as follows : 

•The Insured person shall be covered for a sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs in the event of accidental death or  permanent disability leading to loss of employment while in employment abroad, irrespective of  change of employer/location of insured person. 

•Certification of accidental death or permanent disability by Indian Missions and Posts abroad shall  be accepted by the insurance companies. 

•Medical insurance cover including injuries / sickness / ailment / diseases available upto  Rs.1,00,000/- (up to Rs. 50,000 per hospitalization). 

•Repatriation cover for medically unfit/premature termination of employment: Actual one-way  economy class air fare to the nearest international airport in India. 

•Family Hospitalization in India available upto Rs. 50,000/- for Spouse and first two children upto  21 years of age. 

•Maternity expenses benefit to women emigrants available upto Rs. 50,000/-. •Reimbursement of return economy class air fare to the nearest international airport to one  attendant in case of emigrant’s accidental death or permanent disability. 

•Legal expenses on litigation related to emigrant’s overseas employment admissible upto Rs.  45,000/-. 

•Provision for on-line renewal of PBBY policy. 

Further details available in emigrate website : https://www.emigrate.gov.in/#/emigrate under the  menu : Welfare schemes → PBBY Policy 

Updated on 12.06.2025