2 Lakh Women Empowered: How LIC’s Bima Sakhi Scheme is Changing Lives

In a bold step toward bridging gender gaps in financial services, the Government of India’s Bima Sakhi – Mahila Career Agent (MCA) Scheme has empowered over 2.05 lakh women to build thriving careers in the life insurance sector. Backed by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), this transformative initiative is not just offering jobs—it’s unlocking long-term financial independence and dignity for women, especially in rural and semi-urban India.

From Stipends to Success Stories: Inside the Numbers

Launched on December 9, 2024, the Bima Sakhi scheme is already delivering measurable results. According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, LIC has disbursed ₹62.36 crore in stipends to Bima Sakhis during the fiscal year 2024–25. For 2025–26, the government has allocated a massive ₹520 crore, of which ₹115.13 crore has been released as of July 14, 2025.

But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about narratives—of women reclaiming agency over their lives, incomes, and futures.

How Bima Sakhi Scheme Works: A Launchpad for Careers in Insurance

At its core, the Bima Sakhi initiative is designed to professionalize women as licensed insurance agents under LIC. Each woman, once onboarded, receives a monthly stipend for the first three years, easing the financial burden as she establishes her client base.

• Year 1: ₹7,000/month
• Year 2: ₹6,000/month
• Year 3: ₹5,000/month

This stipend is over and above the commissions they earn through insurance sales, making the role both sustainable and rewarding. The payouts are linked to clear performance metrics, nudging Bima Sakhis towards goal-oriented growth.

Career Ladder with LIC: From Agent to ADO

In a strategic move to ensure upward mobility, LIC has introduced a career progression path. Graduate Bima Sakhis who successfully complete five years of service and meet certain eligibility conditions may appear for the ADO (Apprentice Development Officer) recruitment exam—an opportunity that opens doors to leadership roles within the organization.

Why Bima Sakhi Scheme Matters: More Than Just Employment

The significance of the Bima Sakhi scheme goes beyond financial inclusion. It represents a multi-dimensional empowerment model, touching upon:

• Gender Equity: By onboarding women into a traditionally male-dominated sector, the scheme challenges social norms.
• Economic Resilience: Regular income and commission-based incentives help women become primary breadwinners.
• Rural Upliftment: A large number of Bima Sakhis hail from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, where opportunities are otherwise scarce.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: With performance-linked incentives, Bima Sakhis operate like micro-entrepreneurs—managing clients, targets, and their own income streams.

As these women go door-to-door spreading insurance awareness, they are not just selling policies—they’re becoming ambassadors of financial literacy, risk planning, and economic security in their communities.

A Model for Inclusive Economic Growth

With over 2 lakh women already trained and earning, the Bima Sakhi scheme stands out as a replicable model for women-led development. It aligns seamlessly with national priorities like:

• Digital and Financial Inclusion
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
• Skill India Mission
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

The success of the Bima Sakhi programme also reflects the evolving face of India’s insurance sector, which is now becoming more diverse, grassroots-driven, and socially impactful.

In an economy where women’s participation in the formal workforce remains below global averages, initiatives like the Bima Sakhi Scheme act as critical interventions. By combining livelihood creation with skill development and social dignity, the scheme is quietly but powerfully scripting a new narrative of economic self-reliance for Indian women.

As more states scale up the programme and more women join its ranks, Bima Sakhis are set to become the new face of India’s grassroots financial revolution.