Maharashtra Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana

Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana is a welfare scheme of the Government of Maharashtra that provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and their family members in cases of accidental death or permanent disability. Initially introduced as an insurance-based scheme, it now operates as a direct ex-gratia assistance programme, ensuring that the approved financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s or legal heir’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. Eligible applicants can submit their claims online through the MahaDBT Portal or offline through the concerned Taluka Agriculture Office.

Introduction of Maharashtra Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana: A Brief Insight

The Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana is a welfare scheme of the Government of Maharashtra that provides financial assistance to eligible farmers and their family members in the event of accidental death or permanent disability. Instead of operating through an insurance company, the scheme now functions as a direct ex-gratia assistance programme, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive financial support directly from the State Government after approval of their claim.

The scheme was originally introduced in 2019 as the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Vima Yojana, under which compensation claims were processed through insurance companies. However, following repeated issues relating to delayed settlements and rejection of genuine claims, the Government of Maharashtra replaced the insurance-based model with the present ex-gratia assistance system through a Government Resolution issued on 19 April 2023. This change was made to simplify claim processing and enable eligible families to receive financial assistance more efficiently.

The scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, under the supervision of the Commissioner of Agriculture. Claims are scrutinised at the taluka level and approved by the competent committee before the sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s or legal heir’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Financial assistance under the scheme depends on the nature of the accident. A sum of ₹2,00,000 is provided in cases of accidental death, permanent loss of both eyes, both limbs, or one eye along with one limb. Where the accident results in the permanent loss of a single eye or one limb, the eligible beneficiary receives ₹1,00,000. The scheme covers a wide range of accidental incidents, including road and railway accidents, drowning, pesticide poisoning, electric shock, lightning strikes, snake or scorpion bites, animal attacks, falls from height, murder, riots, and several other notified accidents. However, incidents such as natural death, suicide, self-inflicted injuries, and other exclusions specified in the scheme guidelines are not eligible for assistance.

Initially, the scheme covered landholding farmers registered under the Agriculture Census along with limited eligible family members. The Government has subsequently widened its scope to include eligible landless agricultural labourers, certified women farmers recognised under the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, and their eligible family members. The earlier restriction on the number of beneficiaries from a single family has also been removed under the revised provisions, allowing broader coverage for eligible farming households.

Eligible beneficiaries or the legal heirs of the deceased farmer can submit their claim either online through the MahaDBT Portal or offline through the concerned Taluka Agriculture Office. After document verification, the claim is placed before the Taluka Committee headed by the Tehsildar for approval. Once sanctioned, the financial assistance is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through DBT.

Farmers looking for similar welfare schemes may also find our detailed guides on the Namo Shetkari Maha Sanman Nidhi Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, and PM Fasal Bima Yojana useful. Together, these schemes support different aspects of agricultural income security, risk management, and financial assistance for farming families.

Latest Updates on Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana

The Government of Maharashtra has recently expanded the scope of the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana to cover more beneficiaries and has also released fresh details regarding fund allocation and claim disbursement under the scheme.

Recent Update: 2026 Extension and Fund Disbursement

• On 4 August 2026, the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the extension of the scheme for another three years. The revised decision also brought landless agricultural labourers and certified women farmers within the scheme’s ambit, while removing the earlier restriction of covering only two members from a family. Under the revised provisions, all eligible family members can now receive coverage, subject to the notified conditions.
• For the financial year 2025-26, the State Government earmarked ₹120 crore for implementing the scheme. Out of this allocation, approximately ₹88.19 crore had already been released to 4,359 beneficiaries, reflecting the Government’s continued financial support for eligible farming families.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana provides financial assistance to eligible farmers or their legal heirs in the event of accidental death or permanent disability caused by specified accidents. The amount of assistance depends on the nature and severity of the accident and is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Financial Assistance Provided

• Accidental Death: ₹2,00,000.
• Permanent loss of both eyes or both limbs due to an accident: ₹2,00,000.
• Permanent loss of one eye and one limb due to an accident: ₹2,00,000.
• Permanent loss of one eye or one limb due to an accident: ₹1,00,000.
• The sanctioned financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s or eligible legal heir’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Scope of Coverage

• The scheme provides round-the-clock coverage throughout the notified scheme period and is not restricted to accidents occurring during agricultural activities.
• Covered incidents include road and railway accidents, drowning, pesticide poisoning or chemical exposure, electric shock, lightning, murder, falls from height, snake or scorpion bites, Naxalite attacks, animal attacks or bites, death during childbirth, riots, and other eligible accidental incidents specified under the scheme.
• The scheme does not cover natural death, suicide or self-inflicted injuries, accidents occurring under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances, accidents arising from unlawful activities, insanity, internal haemorrhage, motor racing, war, or military service.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

To avail benefits under the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana, the applicant must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Government of Maharashtra. The scheme primarily covers eligible farmers and their family members. However, following the 2026 expansion, its scope has also been extended to include eligible landless agricultural labourers and certified women farmers, subject to the conditions notified by the State Government.

Who Can Apply

• Farmers registered as landholders in the Agriculture Census and possessing a valid 7/12 Extract (Satbara Utara).
• One eligible family member of the farmer who is not a registered landholder, limited to the parent, spouse, son, or unmarried daughter, subject to the provisions applicable under the scheme.
• Applicants must be between 10 years and 75 years of age.
• Eligible landless agricultural labourers and certified women farmers recognised under the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, along with their eligible family members, are also covered following the 2026 extension.
• As per the revised provisions introduced in 2026, the earlier restriction of covering only two members from a family has been removed, allowing all eligible family members to receive coverage under the scheme.

Legal Heirs Eligible to Receive the Benefit

• Spouse of the deceased farmer.
• Unmarried daughter of the deceased farmer.
• Mother of the deceased farmer.
• Son of the deceased farmer.
• Father of the deceased farmer.
• Daughter-in-law of the deceased farmer.
• Any other legal heir, where none of the above-mentioned family members are available.

Additional Condition

• If compensation for the same accident has already been received under any other Government accident compensation scheme, benefits under the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana cannot be claimed for the same incident.

Documents Required to be Attached

To receive financial assistance under the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana, the claimant or the legal heir of the affected farmer must submit the prescribed documents along with the claim application. While a few documents are mandatory for every claim, additional records may be required depending on the nature of the accident or whether the claim relates to accidental death or permanent disability. Submitting complete and accurate documents helps the competent authority process the claim without unnecessary delays.

Basic Documents Required for All Claims

• 7/12 Extract (Satbara Utara) of the affected farmer.
• Death Certificate, in case of an accidental death claim.
• Legal heir record approved under Village Form No. 6-C by the concerned Village Talathi.
• Valid age proof, such as Aadhaar Card, School Leaving Certificate, or Voter ID.
• First Information Report (FIR), Spot Panchnama, or Police Patil Information Report, as applicable.

Additional Documents Based on Type of Accident

• Road or Railway Accident: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and the Driving Licence of the deceased if they were driving at the time of the accident.
• Drowning: Inquest Panchnama and Post-Mortem Report. If the body is not recovered, an FIR along with an indemnity bond is required.
• Pesticide Poisoning or Chemical Exposure: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and Viscera Report.
• Electric Shock or Lightning Strike: Inquest Panchnama and Post-Mortem Report.
• Murder: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, Viscera Report, and the Chargesheet.
• Fall from Height: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and the Police Final Report.
• Snake Bite or Scorpion Sting: Inquest Panchnama and Post-Mortem Report. If death occurs before medical treatment, a medical certificate countersigned by a Government Health Centre may be submitted.
• Naxalite Attack: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and other official records relating to the incident.
• Animal Attack or Bite: Medical treatment records and, where applicable, an indemnity bond if the body could not be recovered.
• Death During Childbirth: Medical certificate countersigned by the concerned Government Health Centre confirming the cause of death.
• Riot: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and relevant official records.
• Any Other Accident: Inquest Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, and the Police Final Report, wherever applicable.

Documents Required for Disability Claims

• Final medical certificate issued by the treating doctor or hospital confirming the disability.
• Permanent Disability Certificate countersigned by the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Sub-Centre, or the District Civil Surgeon.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Eligible farmers or the legal heirs of a deceased farmer can apply for financial assistance under the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana through the MahaDBT Portal. The Government of Maharashtra also provides an offline application facility through the Taluka Agriculture Office. The step-by-step process for both application methods is explained below.

Online Application Process

• Visit the MahaDBT Portal using a mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
• Sign in with your existing MahaDBT account. If you are a new user, complete the registration process using your Aadhaar number and registered mobile number before proceeding.
• After logging in, navigate to the list of available farmer welfare schemes and select Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana.
• Complete the online application form by entering the details of the accident, the affected farmer, the claimant or legal heir, and the bank account where the financial assistance is to be credited. Ensure that all information matches the supporting documents.
• Upload clear scanned copies of all required documents, including the 7/12 Extract, death or disability certificate, legal heir record, age proof, FIR or Panchnama, and any other documents applicable to the nature of the accident.
• Carefully review the information entered in the application form and submit it online. After successful submission, download or print the acknowledgement receipt and keep the application reference number safely for future tracking.
• The Taluka Agriculture Officer verifies the application and the uploaded documents. If any information or document is incomplete, the applicant receives an SMS notification requesting the necessary corrections.
• After successful verification, the application is placed before the Taluka Committee headed by the Tehsildar, which examines the case and decides the claim in accordance with the scheme guidelines, generally within 30 days.
• Once the claim is approved, the sanctioned financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s or legal heir’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Offline Application Process

• Immediately report the accident to the nearest Police Station and inform the concerned Taluka Agriculture Office so that the verification process can begin without delay.
• Following the report, a joint verification is carried out by the Revenue Officer, Police Officer, and Taluka Agriculture Officer, who inspect the accident site and prepare the necessary records, generally within 8 days of receiving the information.
• Collect all prescribed documents relevant to the claim, such as the 7/12 Extract, death or disability certificate, legal heir certificate, age proof, FIR, Panchnama, Post-Mortem Report, or any other document required for the specific type of accident.
• Submit the duly completed claim application along with all supporting documents to the Taluka Agriculture Office within 30 days from the date of the accident.
• The Taluka Agriculture Officer scrutinises the application and verifies the submitted documents before forwarding eligible cases to the Taluka Committee for consideration.
• The Taluka Committee, headed by the Tehsildar, examines the claim and decides in accordance with the provisions of the scheme, generally within 30 days.
• After approval, the sanctioned amount is credited directly to the beneficiary’s or eligible legal heir’s bank account through the DBT mechanism.

Important Links Available

• MahaDBT Portal
• Track Application Status
• Government Resolution (GR) dated 19 April 2023

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department: Commissioner of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra
• Address: Central Building, 3rd Floor, Pune – 411001, Maharashtra
• Email: comagri.pune@agri.maharashtra.gov.in
• MahaDBT Helpline: 022-61316429
• Helpline Timings: 9:45 AM to 6:15 PM (Working Days)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana?
Ans. The Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Suraksha Sanugrah Anudan Yojana is a Government of Maharashtra scheme that provides ex-gratia financial assistance to eligible farmers or their legal heirs in cases of accidental death or permanent disability. Unlike its earlier version, the scheme is now funded directly by the State Government without involving any insurance company.

Q. Was this scheme always implemented as a direct Government assistance scheme?
Ans. No. The scheme was initially introduced as the Gopinath Munde Shetkari Apghat Vima Yojana, an insurance-based scheme. Through the Government Resolution dated 19 April 2023, it was converted into a direct ex-gratia assistance scheme to ensure faster settlement of eligible claims.

Q. How much financial assistance is available under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme provides ₹2,00,000 in case of accidental death, permanent loss of both eyes or both limbs, or the permanent loss of one eye and one limb. In the event of the permanent loss of one eye or one limb, financial assistance of ₹1,00,000 is provided.

Q. Who can avail the benefits of this scheme?
Ans. Eligible landholding farmers registered under the Agriculture Census, along with eligible family members fulfilling the prescribed conditions, can avail benefits under the scheme. The eligibility has also been expanded to include eligible landless agricultural labourers and certified women farmers as notified by the Government of Maharashtra.

Q. Has the Government expanded the scope of the scheme?
Ans. Yes. Under the revised provisions introduced in 2026, eligible landless agricultural labourers and certified women farmers have been included within the scheme. The earlier restriction on the number of eligible family members has also been removed, allowing all eligible family members to receive coverage, subject to the notified conditions.

Q. What is the time limit for submitting a claim application?
Ans. The complete claim application, along with all prescribed supporting documents, should ordinarily be submitted within 30 days from the date of the accident.

Q. Can beneficiaries apply online?
Ans. Yes. Eligible applicants can submit their claim online through the MahaDBT Portal. An offline application facility is also available through the concerned Taluka Agriculture Office.

Q. Which authority approves the claim?
Ans. The Taluka Agriculture Officer scrutinises the application and supporting documents before placing the case before the Taluka Committee headed by the Tehsildar, which takes the final decision on the claim.

Q. Which incidents are not covered under the scheme?
Ans. The scheme does not assist with natural death, suicide or self-inflicted injuries, accidents caused while under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances, unlawful activities, insanity, internal haemorrhage, motor racing, war, or military service.

Q. How is the financial assistance released?
Ans. After the claim is approved by the competent authority, the sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s or eligible legal heir’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

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.