Ministry of Textiles runs Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Weavers for people working in the powerloom sector across India. This scheme gives insurance cover for natural death, accidental death and disability, and it also supports children's education through a yearly grant.
Since 2017, the insurance part of this scheme has been linked with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), so weavers get ₹2 lakh life cover and ₹2 lakh accident cover through these national schemes. As per the Ministry of Textiles reply in Lok Sabha on 21 March 2025, the scheme was extended with modifications till 2019-20, and the education grant under Shiksha Sahayog Yojana continues for enrolled workers.
Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Weavers was launched on 1 July 2003. It is a combination of Janshree Bima Yojana and Add-on Group Insurance Scheme, and it works with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for claim handling and policy service. The scheme was revised from 1 January 2008 and continues under the same name.
The scheme covers every powerloom weaver, including workers doing pre-weaving jobs like winding, warping, sizing and twisting. Both lone workers and small family units can join. Even a weaver family that owns up to 4 looms can enrol, and the yearly premium is kept low so that workers from any income group can take part.
Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Weavers - Introduction
This scheme works as a safety net for powerloom families when something unexpected happens. If a member passes away due to natural reasons, the nominee gets a sum assured of ₹60,000. For accidental death, the cover is ₹1,50,000, and the same amount is paid for permanent total disability caused by an accident. Permanent partial disability gets ₹75,000. On top of this, enrolled workers get an education grant of ₹1,200 per child per year, which is paid as ₹600 every half year, for two children studying from Class IX to Class XII for up to 4 years.
Since 2017, the life and accident benefits under this scheme are given through PMJJBY and PMSBY. PMJJBY gives life cover of ₹2 lakh on death from any reason at a yearly premium of ₹436, and PMSBY gives accident cover of ₹2 lakh at just ₹20 per year. This integration gives bigger cover at a lower premium compared to the earlier standalone structure of the scheme.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Weavers |
| Launched By | Ministry of Textiles, Government of India |
| Launch Date | 1 July 2003 |
| Eligible People | Powerloom weavers between 18 and 59 years |
| Insurance Cover | ₹2 lakh life cover (PMJJBY) and ₹2 lakh accident cover (PMSBY) since 2017 |
| Education Grant | ₹1,200 per child per year under Shiksha Sahayog Yojana |
| Department Running the Scheme | Office of the Textile Commissioner and LIC of India |
| Application Mode | Offline through Nodal Agency or Powerloom Service Centre |
| Official Website | txcindia.gov.in |
Benefits
This scheme gives financial support to the family when the member dies or becomes disabled. If the member dies due to natural reasons, the nominee gets ₹60,000.
For accidents, the payment depends on the condition:
| Condition | Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| Death due to accident | ₹1,50,000 |
| Permanent total disability due to accident | ₹1,50,000 |
| Permanent partial disability due to accident | ₹75,000 |
Also, children of enrolled workers get an education grant under Shiksha Sahayog Yojana. The grant is ₹1,200 per child per year, paid as ₹600 every half year, for two children studying in Class IX to XII for a maximum of 4 years.
Since 2017, the life and accident cover under this scheme is provided through PMJJBY and PMSBY. PMJJBY gives ₹2 lakh life cover at ₹436 per year, and PMSBY gives ₹2 lakh accident cover at ₹20 per year. This keeps the cover strong and the premium low for weavers.
Eligibility
This scheme is open to powerloom weavers and their families across India. The main conditions are given below.
- Age: The weaver should be between 18 and 59 years of age at the time of joining.
- Income status: BPL or APL status does not matter, everyone can apply.
- Work type: Families doing weaving and pre-weaving work like twisting, winding, warping and sizing are covered. For example, if Ramesh works in warping, he is eligible.
- Looms: Self-employed weaver families owning up to 4 looms can join.
- Family cover: The scheme covers the member and the spouse, and only one of them can be covered at a time.
- Renewal: Enrolment is for one year, and the member can renew by paying the premium every year until the age of 59.
Application Process
Joining this scheme is done through the Powerloom Service Centres and the Office of the Textile Commissioner. Here is how to apply.
STEP 1 - Get the application-cum-nomination form from the official website of the Textile Commissioner or from the nearest Powerloom Service Centre. Fill it with your details and keep your share of the premium ready.
STEP 2 - Submit the filled form along with your share of the premium to the local Nodal Agency. The Powerloom Service Centres and Regional Offices collect these forms and send them to the jurisdictional LIC branch by the 25th of every month.
STEP 3 - Pay the premium through a demand draft drawn in favour of LIC. Once LIC receives the details and premium by the end of the month, the master policy starts from the first day of the next month.
Note: Regional Offices of the Textile Commissioner act as the main nodal agencies. In Karnataka, the Karnataka State Textile Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (KSTIDC) handles this work.
Claim Procedure
If something happens to the member, the nominee has to file a claim with LIC through the Nodal Agency. Required documents include a death certificate, FIR for accidents, or medical certificates. The Nodal Agency sends the claim to LIC, and LIC pays the amount directly to the nominee's bank account through NEFT, RTGS or account payee cheque.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for enrolment and claims under this scheme.
- Photo identity card
- Any valid proof of age
- Death certificate (for claims)
- Police complaint or FIR (for accidents)
- Post-mortem report (if applicable)
- Medical certificate (if applicable)
- Discharge certificate (for injuries)
- Self-certification document
References
Official links for this scheme are given below.
- Guidelines of the scheme
- Application Format
- List of LIC Offices
- Scheme Details
- PM Shram Yogi Maandhan official website
FAQ's
Is the Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Weavers still active in 2026?
Yes, the scheme continues for powerloom weavers. Since 2017, the life and accident cover under this scheme is given through PMJJBY and PMSBY, and the Shiksha Sahayog Yojana education grant continues for enrolled workers. As per the Ministry of Textiles reply in Lok Sabha on 21 March 2025, the scheme was extended with modifications till 2019-20.
What is the main aim of this scheme?
The scheme gives insurance cover to powerloom weavers for natural death, accidental death and disability, and it also gives an education grant for children.
Who can join this scheme?
Powerloom weavers between 18 and 59 years of age can join, and BPL or APL status does not matter.
Does the scheme cover pre-weaving workers?
Yes. Workers doing twisting, winding, warping and sizing are also covered.
Are self-employed weavers eligible?
Yes. If you own 4 or fewer looms, you can apply.
What is the life cover through PMJJBY?
PMJJBY gives life cover of ₹2 lakh on death from any reason at a yearly premium of ₹436.
What is the accident cover through PMSBY?
PMSBY gives accident cover of ₹2 lakh at a yearly premium of ₹20. It covers accidental death and total disability.
How much education grant do children get?
Children get ₹1,200 per child per year, paid as ₹600 every half year, under Shiksha Sahayog Yojana. The grant is for up to two children studying in Class IX to XII for a maximum of 4 years.
Can a member rejoin after a gap?
Yes. A member can rejoin in any later year by paying the required premium.
Is the premium refundable?
No. Once the premium is paid, it is not refunded.
Can powerloom weavers get a pension?
Yes. Powerloom workers can also join PM Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM), which gives a monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60. The official website is maandhan.in.