Bihar Rajya Patrakar Bima Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

To provide financial security and healthcare support to working journalists, the Government of Bihar launched the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme, 2014 under the Information and Public Relations Department. The scheme offers eligible accredited and non-accredited journalists a ₹5 lakh Personal Accident Insurance cover along with a ₹5 lakh Family Floater Mediclaim Insurance, ensuring protection against accidental death, permanent disability, and hospitalization expenses.

One of the key features of the scheme is that the State Government bears 80% of the insurance premium, while the journalist contributes only 20%, making comprehensive insurance coverage affordable. The health insurance also extends to the journalist's eligible family members, including the spouse and up to two dependent children, subject to the prescribed conditions.

The scheme is implemented through a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy and a Group Family Floater Mediclaim Policy. The insurance company is selected every year through a competitive tender process, and the policy is awarded to the lowest eligible bidder. Therefore, the premium amount may vary from one policy year to another. Eligible journalists are required to complete the prescribed online application process and submit the printed application form, Demand Draft for their 20% premium contribution, and supporting documents to the District Public Relations Officer within the notified timeline.

Scheme Benefits

Under the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme, eligible journalists and their families receive the following benefits:

• ₹5 lakh Personal Accident Insurance is provided to the insured journalist in case of accidental death or permanent disability, as per the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.
• ₹5 lakh Group Family Floater Mediclaim Insurance is provided for hospitalization expenses of the insured journalist, spouse, and up to two eligible dependent children.
• Cashless hospitalization facility is available at empanelled hospitals under the Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy.
• Reimbursement of admissible medical expenses can be claimed if treatment is taken at a non-empanelled hospital, subject to the policy terms and conditions.
• The Government of Bihar bears 80% of the insurance premium, while the eligible journalist contributes only 20%, making insurance coverage affordable.
• The scheme is implemented through Group Personal Accident Insurance and Group Family Floater Mediclaim Insurance, with the insurance company selected every year through a competitive tender process.
• Eligible journalists can renew their insurance coverage annually by completing the prescribed renewal process and depositing their share of the premium within the notified timeline.

Eligibility Requirements

To avail of the benefits under the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme, 2014, an applicant must fulfill the following eligibility conditions prescribed by the Information and Public Relations Department:

• Must be a resident of Bihar.
• Must be working as a journalist in Bihar.
• Must be an accredited journalist or an eligible non-accredited journalist.
• Must be between 21 and 70 years of age.
• Must have passed at least the 10th examination or an equivalent examination recognized by the Government.
• Must have a minimum of five years of continuous journalism experience.
• Must submit all the prescribed documents along with the application.
• Must deposit the prescribed share of the insurance premium within the notified period.
• Enrollment under the scheme is subject to verification and approval by the competent authority.

Eligible Media Organizations

Under the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme, journalists associated with the following eligible media organizations can avail of the scheme benefits, subject to fulfillment of the prescribed conditions.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents while applying for enrollment or renewal under the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme:

• Duly filled application form
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Aadhaar Card
• Proof of residence in Bihar
• Valid Journalist Identity Card
• Accreditation Certificate (for accredited journalists)
• Employer Certificate (for non-accredited journalists)
• Educational Qualification Certificate
• Documentary proof of at least five years of journalism experience
• Proof of premium payment
• Documents of eligible family members (Spouse and dependent children, if applicable)
• Any other document prescribed by the Information and Public Relations Department

Steps to Apply

Online

• Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
  • Visit the Information & Public Relations Department Portal and open the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme application page.
• Step 2: Register/Login
  • New users should register using their mobile number.
  • Verify the mobile number through the OTP received.
  • Existing users can log in using their registered credentials.
• Step 3: Fill in the Application Form
• Complete the online application by providing the required information, such as:
  • Personal details
  • Residential details
  • Employment details
  • Accreditation details (if applicable)
  • Educational qualification
  • Journalism experience
  • Details of eligible family members to be covered under the Mediclaim policy
• Step 4: Upload Documents
  • Upload scanned copies of all the prescribed documents in the required format.
• Step 5: Preview the Application
  • Carefully review all the information entered in the application form. If any correction is required, edit the details before final submission.
• Step 6: Submit the Application
  • After verifying all the details, submit the application online.
• Step 7: Download & Print the Application
  • Download the submitted application form and take a printout for future reference.
• Step 8: Pay the Premium
  • Deposit your prescribed 20% share of the insurance premium through the notified payment method and complete any additional formalities prescribed by the department.

Offline

• Step 1: Download the prescribed application form of the Bihar State Journalist Insurance Scheme, 2014 from the official website of the Information and Public Relations Department or obtain it from the concerned office. The application form should be filled in three copies.
• Step 2: Fill in all the required details carefully, including information related to the media organization, personal details, journalism experience, dependent family members, nominee, and premium contribution. Attach all the prescribed supporting documents with the application form.
• Step 3: Get the application form verified and recommended by the Editor, Local Editor, Employer, or Bureau Chief, as applicable.
• Step 4: Submit the completed application form along with the required documents and prescribed premium contribution details to the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) of the concerned district.
• Step 5: The District Public Relations Officer will verify the application and, if found eligible, recommend and forward it to the Information and Public Relations Department for further processing.
• Step 6: The Information and Public Relations Department will forward the application to the concerned insurance company for insurance approval and further necessary action.
• This version is fully based on the official application form and does not mix in the separate online application instructions.

Renewal Process

The insurance policy must be renewed every year to continue receiving the benefits under the scheme.

To renew the policy:

• Visit the Information & Public Relations Department Portal, or you can apply offline as well.
• Log in using your registered credentials.
• Select the Renewal option.
• Update your details, if required.
• Upload the prescribed documents, if applicable.
• Pay your 20% share of the insurance premium.
• Verify all the details and submit the renewal application.
• Download and keep a copy of the acknowledgment for future reference.

Applicants should complete the renewal process within the timeline notified by the Information and Public Relations Department to ensure uninterrupted insurance coverage.

Insurance Claim Process

If an insured journalist or an eligible family member requires hospitalization or suffers an accident covered under the policy, a claim can be submitted as per the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.

The claim can be settled through the cashless facility at empanelled hospitals or through reimbursement, wherever applicable.

Cashless Claim Process

To avail of cashless treatment, follow these steps:

• Visit an empanelled hospital under the insurance network.
• Produce the journalist insurance card or policy details along with a valid identity proof.
• The hospital will verify the beneficiary's details and seek authorization from the insurance company.
• After approval, the insured person can receive cashless treatment for admissible expenses as per the policy terms.
• Any non-admissible expenses or charges not covered under the policy shall be borne by the beneficiary.

Reimbursement Claim Process

If treatment is taken at a hospital where the cashless facility is not available, the insured person may apply for reimbursement.

The claimant should:

• Inform the insurance company within the prescribed time limit.
• Complete the claim form.
• Submit all original medical bills, prescriptions, discharge summary, investigation reports, and other supporting documents.
• Submit any additional documents requested by the insurance company for claim settlement.

The claim will be processed as per the terms and conditions of the insurance policy after verification of the submitted documents.

Personal Accident Insurance Claim

In case of accidental death or permanent disability of the insured journalist, the nominee or claimant should submit the claim along with the prescribed documents to the insurance company within the stipulated time.

Depending on the nature of the claim, the following documents may be required:

• Duly filled claim form.
• Copy of the insurance policy or insurance card.
• Aadhaar Card or other valid identity proof.
• Death Certificate (in case of accidental death).
• FIR, Post-mortem Report, or Police Report, wherever applicable.
• Disability Certificate issued by the competent medical authority (in case of permanent disability).
• Bank account details of the claimant or nominee.
• Any other document required by the insurance company for claim verification.

After successful verification, the admissible claim amount is released as per the policy provisions.

Important Conditions

• Insurance coverage is subject to verification and approval by the Information and Public Relations Department.
• The applicant must ensure that all information and documents submitted with the application are correct and genuine.
• Any false information or forged documents may lead to rejection of the application or cancellation of insurance benefits.
• The insurance policy must be renewed within the prescribed period to continue receiving benefits.
• Claims must be submitted within the timeline specified in the insurance policy.
• The insurance company may ask for additional documents during claim verification, if required.
• Settlement of claims shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Information and Public Relations Department
• Bihar Rajya Patrakar Beema Yojana Guidelines
• Bihar Rajya Patrakar Beema Yojana Application Form
• Bihar Rajya Patrakar Beema Yojana Online Procedure

Contact Information

• Information and Public Relations Department Contact List