What this scheme offers
A milch cow or buffalo is frequently a rural household's single largest productive asset, worth more than most of what else the family owns, and its sudden death from disease or accident is a genuine financial shock, not just a loss of future milk income. Livestock Insurance Scheme exists to absorb that shock: subsidised insurance against death for cattle, buffalo and other milch and draught animals, with the premium subsidy ranging from 50% for general category farmers up to 80% for farmers in North Eastern states and those from SC/ST or BPL backgrounds, so the actual out-of-pocket premium is a fraction of the animal's value. On a covered loss, the payout reflects the animal's assessed market value at the time of insuring, not a fixed low figure, which is what makes the difference between a setback and a genuine crisis for a family that depends on that animal.
Who is eligible
- Owner of cattle, buffalo, or other eligible milch/draught animals.
- Animal must be healthy and tagged/identified at the time of insurance (typically requires a veterinary health certificate).
- Premium subsidy tier (50-80%) depends on category — general, SC/ST, BPL, or North Eastern state farmer.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Animal ownership proof / purchase receipt
- Veterinary health certificate confirming the animal's fitness at insurance time
- Bank account details
How to apply
- Contact your local veterinary hospital, Animal Husbandry department office, or an empanelled insurance company's local agent to initiate coverage.
- Have your animal examined by a veterinarian, who issues a health certificate and assesses its market value — this valuation determines both your premium and your payout coverage.
- Pay your subsidised share of the premium (the rest is covered by the central/state subsidy); the exact amount depends on your eligibility category.
- Your animal is tagged for identification, and the policy is issued for a specified period (commonly 1-3 years).
- In case of the animal's death during the policy period, report it immediately to the insurer and your local veterinary office, as claims typically require prompt post-mortem documentation to be processed.