Maharashtra Pashudhan Bima Yojana

Pashudhan Bima Yojana is a livestock insurance scheme implemented by the Government of Maharashtra under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). The scheme provides financial protection against the death of insured livestock due to accidents, diseases, and specified natural calamities. Under the scheme, the Government bears 85% of the insurance premium, while beneficiaries pay only 15%, making livestock insurance affordable for farmers across the state.

Introduction of Maharashtra Pashudhan Bima Yojana: A Brief Insight

The Pashudhan Bima Yojana is a livestock insurance scheme implemented by the Government of Maharashtra under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). The scheme protects livestock owners against the financial loss arising from the death of insured animals by providing insurance coverage at a highly subsidised premium. It was approved by the Government of Maharashtra through a Government Resolution dated 5 August 2026, followed by a corrigendum issued on 6 August 2026.

Livestock plays an important role in the income of many farming families across Maharashtra. The sudden death of a milch animal or other productive livestock can seriously affect a household’s livelihood. Through the Pashudhan Bima Yojana, the Government aims to reduce this financial burden by making livestock insurance affordable and ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive compensation within a defined timeframe whenever a valid claim arises.

The scheme is administered by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of Maharashtra, while the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board, Nagpur functions as the State Implementing Agency. The insurance cover is provided through the insurance company selected by the Government under the prescribed tender process.

Under the scheme, the Government bears 85% of the insurance premium, leaving beneficiaries to pay only 15%. Farmers can insure eligible cows, buffaloes, bulls, male buffaloes, goats, and sheep for a period of 1, 2, or 3 years. The scheme also offers defined insurance coverage for each category of animal, with the claim amount transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after successful claim approval.

To avail the benefits, the animal must satisfy the prescribed age criteria, carry a valid 12-digit ear tag registered under the Bharat Pashudhan – National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), and be certified healthy by an authorised veterinary officer before the insurance policy is issued. A family can avail the subsidised insurance benefit for up to 10 livestock units, while additional animals may also be insured by paying the full premium.

The enrolment process is carried out through the Animal Husbandry Department, where the animal is examined, tagged (if required), and insured after payment of the beneficiary’s premium share. In the event of the insured animal’s death, the beneficiary must report the incident to the insurance company within the prescribed time limit and submit the required documents to receive the claim amount.

Livestock owners may also find our detailed guides on the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana, which provides financial assistance in case of accidental death or disability of farmers, the Namo Shetkari Maha Sanman Nidhi Yojana, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, and the List of All Maharashtra Government Welfare Schemes for information on other government welfare programmes available in the state.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Pashudhan Bima Yojana of the Government of Maharashtra offers subsidised livestock insurance, financial protection against animal loss, and a time-bound claim settlement process to reduce the financial burden on livestock owners.

Financial Protection Under the Scheme

• The Government pays 85% of the insurance premium, while the beneficiary contributes only 15%.
• Farmers can choose an insurance policy for 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years.
• Insurance Premium Rates
  • 1-year policy: 4.30%
  • 2-year policy: 7.50%
  • 3-year policy: 10.50%
• Maximum Sum Insured
  • Milch Cow: ₹70,000
  • Milch Buffalo: ₹80,000
  • Bull: ₹70,000
  • Male Buffalo: ₹80,000
  • Goat/Sheep: ₹7,000

Risks Covered

• Death due to accidents.
• Death caused by natural calamities such as floods, lightning, drought, storms, wildfires, heatwaves, and earthquakes.
• Death due to diseases, including contagious diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease.
• Claims remain admissible even if a vaccine is unavailable for the disease, irrespective of the animal’s vaccination status.

Claim Processing Benefits

• Insurance coverage for accidental death starts immediately after premium payment.
• Insurance companies must process complete claim proposals within 5 days.
• The approved claim amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 15 days.
• If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, the insurance company must pay 12% annual interest on the delayed amount.
• Beneficiaries can track their claim status online through the insurer’s web portal or mobile application available in Marathi and English.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

To enrol under the Pashudhan Bima Yojana of the Maharashtra Government, both the livestock owner and the insured animal must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Government of Maharashtra.

Who Can Apply

• Any livestock owner or farmer in Maharashtra rearing eligible cows, buffaloes, bulls, male buffaloes, goats, or sheep can apply.
• The scheme covers both indigenous and crossbred cattle and buffaloes.
• A family can avail the subsidised insurance benefit for up to 10 livestock units.
• Animals beyond the 10-unit limit can also be insured, but the owner must pay the full premium without government subsidy.

Animal Eligibility Conditions

• Cows and Bulls Age should be:
  • 1-year policy: 2 to 8 years
  • 2-year policy: 2 to 7 years
  • 3-year policy: 2 to 6 years
• Buffaloes and Male Buffaloes Age should be:
  • 1-year policy: 3 to 10 years
  • 2-year policy: 3 to 9 years
  • 3-year policy: 3 to 8 years
• Goats and Sheep Age should be:
  • 1-year policy: 1 to 3 years
  • 2-year policy: 1 to 2 years
  • 3-year policy: 1 year
• The animal must have a valid 12-digit ear tag registered under the Bharat Pashudhan – National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM).
• The animal must be certified healthy by a Government Veterinary Officer or a registered veterinary practitioner before enrolment.
• For migratory goats and sheep, insurance coverage is available only within the geographical limits of Maharashtra.

What Is Not Covered Under Pashudhan Bima Yojana?

Although the Pashudhan Bima Yojana provides insurance protection against the death of eligible livestock, certain situations and losses are specifically excluded from coverage. Applicants should keep these exclusions in mind before purchasing the policy.

• Loss or damage occurring during the transportation of the animal is not covered.
• Permanent or partial disability of the insured animal is not covered. The scheme provides compensation only in case of death.
• Claims may be rejected if the insured animal does not have a valid 12-digit ear tag at the time of inspection, except where the death is caused by a notified natural calamity.
• For migratory goats and sheep, insurance coverage is restricted to incidents occurring within the geographical limits of Maharashtra.
• Deaths due to non-accidental causes during the first 15 days of the policy are not covered because the waiting period remains applicable.

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants seeking benefits under the Pashudhan Bima Yojana should submit the prescribed documents along with their application. The required documents are grouped below for easy reference.

Identity and Ownership Documents

• Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving Licence, or the first page of the Bank Passbook as identity proof.
• Bank account details for receiving the claim amount through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Animal Identification Documents

• Clear photographs of the animal from all sides, showing the 12-digit ear tag number.
• Photograph of the animal with its owner, clearly displaying the ear tag.
• Proof of registration on the Bharat Pashudhan – National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) with the 12-digit ear tag.

Veterinary Documents

• Animal health certificate issued by a Government Veterinary Officer or a private veterinary practitioner registered with the Maharashtra State Veterinary Council or the Veterinary Council of India.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Livestock owners can enrol their animals under the Pashudhan Bima Yojana through the Animal Husbandry Department and the authorised insurance company. Since the scheme involves animal inspection, tagging, and health certification, the process begins offline. The complete procedure is explained below.

Step 1: Visit the Nearest Veterinary Officer

Visit the nearest Government Veterinary Dispensary or Animal Husbandry Department office with the animal you wish to insure. The Veterinary Officer will first verify whether the animal meets the prescribed age and eligibility conditions under the selected policy period.

Step 2: Animal Examination and Ear Tag Verification

The Veterinary Officer will examine the animal, assess its health, and verify its market value in the presence of the owner. If the animal is not already registered, it will be tagged with a 12-digit ear tag under the Bharat Pashudhan – National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), as insurance cannot be issued without this identification.

Step 3: Obtain the Health Certificate

After completing the physical examination, the Veterinary Officer issues a health certificate confirming that the animal is fit for insurance coverage.

Step 4: Pay the Beneficiary’s Premium Share

Submit the required documents and pay only the beneficiary’s 15% share of the insurance premium to the authorised insurance company or its authorised representative. The remaining premium is paid by the Central and State Governments. After payment, the insurance policy is issued.

Step 5: Report the Death of the Insured Animal (If Required)

If the insured animal dies during the policy period, inform the insurance company within 24 hours through the prescribed communication channels. Keep the carcass at the location until it is inspected by the authorised officials. In case the ear tag is lost before inspection, immediately report the loss and complete the re-tagging process as required under the scheme.

Step 6: Submit the Insurance Claim

Complete the claim form and submit it along with the required documents, including the insurance policy, post-mortem report, photographs of the animal, and any other documents applicable to the cause of death. For accidental deaths, the prescribed police records must also be submitted wherever required.

Step 7: Claim Verification and Payment

After verifying the claim documents, the insurance company processes the claim. As per the scheme guidelines, complete claim proposals should be decided within 5 days, and the approved claim amount should be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 15 days.

Step 8: Appeal Against Claim Rejection

If a claim is rejected or the beneficiary is not satisfied with the decision, the matter can be taken before the Regional Control Committee. If required, a further appeal may be filed before the State-Level Committee of the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board for final consideration.

Important Links Available

• Maharashtra Pashudhan Bima Yojana Guidelines
• Pashudhan Bima Yojana Corrigendum dated 6 August 2026
• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of Maharashtra

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• State Nodal Agency: Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Livestock Development Board, Nagpur.
• Local Assistance: Nearest Government Veterinary Officer or Taluka Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Officer.
• Department Contact Page: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Pashudhan Bima Yojana?
Ans. Pashudhan Bima Yojana is a livestock insurance scheme implemented in Maharashtra under the National Livestock Mission. It provides insurance coverage against the death of insured livestock due to accidents, diseases, and specified natural calamities.

Q. When was the Pashudhan Bima Yojana approved in Maharashtra?
Ans. The Government of Maharashtra approved the scheme through a Government Resolution dated 5 August 2026, followed by a corrigendum issued on 6 August 2026.

Q. Which department implements the Pashudhan Bima Yojana?
Ans. The scheme is implemented by the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board, Nagpur, under the supervision of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of Maharashtra.

Q. Which animals are eligible for insurance under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme covers indigenous and crossbred milch cows, milch buffaloes, bulls, male buffaloes, goats, and sheep that fulfil the prescribed eligibility conditions.

Q. How much premium does the beneficiary have to pay?
Ans. The beneficiary contributes only 15% of the insurance premium, while the remaining 85% is shared by the Central and State Governments.

Q. What is the maximum insurance coverage available?
Ans. The maximum sum insured is ₹70,000 for a milch cow or bull, ₹80,000 for a milch buffalo or male buffalo, and ₹7,000 for each goat or sheep.

Q. How many animals can be insured under the subsidised scheme?
Ans. A family can insure up to 10 livestock units with government premium support. Animals beyond this limit can also be insured by paying the full premium without subsidy.

Q. Does the Pashudhan Bima Yojana cover disability or transport-related losses?
Ans. No. The scheme does not cover permanent or partial disability of an animal, nor does it provide compensation for losses arising during transportation.

Q. How long does it take to receive the insurance claim amount?
Ans. Complete claim proposals should be processed within 5 days, and the approved claim amount should be credited to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) within 15 days. If the payment is delayed beyond this period, the insurance company is liable to pay 12% annual interest on the delayed amount.

Q. What should a beneficiary do if the insurance claim is rejected?
Ans. The beneficiary may first approach the Regional Control Committee. If the grievance remains unresolved, a further appeal can be filed before the State-Level Committee headed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra Livestock Development Board, Nagpur.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.