PM Matsya Sampada Yojana — insurance for fishers and support during the fishing ban
Funded in the 2026-27 Union Budget: Union Expenditure Budget 2026-27 (Feb 2026, Demand No. 43 (Department of Fisheries), item 7 Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), BE 2026-27 ₹2,500.00 crore; Notes item 7)
Free accident insurance of ₹5 lakh for fishers and fish farmers, and ₹4,500 for poor active fishers during the fishing ban — ₹3,000 of it from government, ₹1,500 from their own savings.
- Lead benefit
- ₹3,000a year
- Components
- 2each read from the document
- Who can apply
- 7kinds of applicant
- Closing date
- Noneapply any time
What it pays
If you are a full-time active fisher, BPL, aged 18–60 and in a fishers’ cooperative, you get ₹4,500 in the fishing ban/lean season (₹1,500 a month for 3 months): the government adds ₹3,000 to ₹1,500 you save.
What the document says, word for word
Of the ₹4,500 a year, ₹3,000 is government money (Centre and State ₹1,500 each in general states; ₹2,400 and ₹600 in North East and Himalayan states; ₹3,000 from the Centre in UTs) and ₹1,500 is your own contribution (item 13.1(a)). States may add cash or kind such as subsidised ration or fuel (item 13.1(b)(v)).
“The accumulated amount of Rs. 4500/- indicated above would be disbursed to enrolled beneficiary by the respective states/UTs at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per month.”Fishers, fish workers and fish farmers get insurance of ₹5 lakh against death or permanent total disability and ₹2.5 lakh against permanent partial disability, with the whole premium paid by government.
What the document says, word for word
“Fishers” here includes fish workers, fish farmers and anyone directly involved in fishing and allied activities (item 14.1(ii)). Cover is for 12 months and renewed every year (item 14.1(iii)). The Department of Fisheries decides how enrolment is run, together with the states (item 14.1(v)).
“The fishers shall be eligible for insurance and insurance coverage under the PMMSY is as below: (a) Rs.5.00 lakh against death or permanent total disability (b) Rs. 2.50 lakh against permanent partial disability … The entire premium amount will be shared between the centre and state as per the funding pattern of the PMMSY which means that no beneficiary contribution is envisaged.”How much can I claim?
You may get ₹3,000 paid as ₹1,500 a month for 3 months of the ban/lean season, together with your own ₹1,500 saved during the fishing season
₹3,000 a year in 3 instalments
Of the ₹4,500 a year, ₹3,000 is government money (Centre and State ₹1,500 each in general states; ₹2,400 and ₹600 in North East and Himalayan states; ₹3,000 from the Centre in UTs) and ₹1,500 is your own contribution (item 13.1(a)). States may add cash or kind such as subsidised ration or fuel (item 13.1(b)(v)).
Who can apply
- Other farmer
- Small or marginal farmer
- SC farmer
- ST farmer
- Woman farmer
- Tenant or sharecropper
- Landless
Papers you need
- Proof that you are Below Poverty Line (BPL) and aged 18 to 60 — for ban-period support
- Proof of membership of a fishers’ cooperative society, federation or registered body — for ban-period support
How to apply
- Contact your district fisheries office; both activities are run by the State/UT Fisheries Department (Annexure II, items 13.1(b)(iv), 14.1(v)).
- For ban-period support, be a member of a working fishers’ cooperative society, federation or other registered body (item 13.1(b)(ii)).
- Save ₹1,500 over 9 months of the fishing season in the bank your state names — not as one lump sum (item 13.1(b)(iv)).
- In the ban or lean months the state pays the ₹4,500 to you at ₹1,500 a month (item 13.1(b)(viii)).
Applying is free. Never pay anyone to apply for you.
When to apply
The guidelines set no closing date.
Combining with other schemes
The documents do not say whether this can be combined with other schemes. Ask the implementing office before you count on both.