Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Working at heights to climb coconut trees, harvest coconuts and tap Neera involves considerable risk. Accidents during these activities can cause serious injuries, permanent disability or even death, creating financial difficulties for workers and their families. To provide financial protection against such risks, the Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme (KSIS) offers personal accident insurance to eligible coconut tree climbers and other workers engaged in the coconut sector. The scheme's established coverage includes ₹5 lakh for accidental death or permanent total disability and hospitalisation expenses of up to ₹1 lakh. A revised benefit structure reported from 15 August 2025 increases the coverage to ₹7 lakh for accidental death or permanent total disability, ₹3.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and up to ₹2 lakh for accident-related medical expenses. However, the revised benefit schedule should be confirmed with the implementing agency because the older figures remain on its published scheme information.

The Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme is implemented by the Coconut Development Board (CDB), an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The Board coordinates with an insurance company to provide accident coverage to eligible workers in coconut-growing states. The scheme covers traditional coconut tree climbers, coconut harvesters and Neera technicians, along with other eligible workers such as hybridisation workers and specified coconut-sector labourers. The published eligibility age is 18 to 65 years. Under the revised arrangement announced in August 2025, the beneficiary contribution was reduced to ₹143, with the Board bearing the remaining 85% of the applicable premium. The Board also bears the first-year premium for eligible trainees under its Friends of Coconut Tree and Neera Technician training programmes, subject to the applicable scheme conditions.

Eligible workers generally apply by submitting the prescribed application form, age proof and beneficiary premium payment details to the Coconut Development Board. The form must be countersigned by an authorised official, as specified in the application instructions. Since the available application form and the Board's published scheme details may reflect an earlier policy period, applicants should confirm the current premium, application window and required documents before applying. For assistance, they can contact the Coconut Development Board at Kera Bhavan, SRV Road, Kochi – 682011, Kerala, by calling 0484-2377266 or 0484-2377267 and asking for the Statistics section handling Kera Suraksha insurance matters.

Workers and families looking for other insurance-related welfare schemes can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), which provides personal accident insurance to eligible bank or post office account holders. Kerala residents may also find the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi Scheme useful for understanding government-supported hospitalisation coverage. These schemes have different eligibility rules and benefits, so applicants should check their respective conditions before relying on them.

Scheme Benefits

The Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme provides accident insurance to eligible coconut tree climbers and other workers engaged in the coconut sector. It helps workers and their families manage the financial difficulties that may arise from accidental injuries, disability or death. The main benefits reported under the revised scheme are as follows:

• Provides insurance coverage of up to ₹7 lakh in case of accidental death or permanent total disability under the revised scheme.
• Offers compensation of up to ₹3.5 lakh for permanent partial disability caused by an accident.
• Covers accident-related hospitalisation expenses of up to ₹2 lakh under the revised benefit structure.
• Provides weekly compensation of ₹3,500 for temporary total disability, subject to the applicable policy conditions and a maximum period of six weeks.
• Includes reported provisions for ambulance charges, bystander expenses and funeral expenses. The exact amounts and conditions should be confirmed from the current insurance policy.
• Reduces the beneficiary's annual contribution to ₹143 under the revised arrangement reported in August 2025, with the Coconut Development Board bearing the remaining 85% of the applicable premium.
• Provides first-year insurance premium support for eligible trainees enrolled in the Board's Friends of Coconut Tree and Neera Technician training programmes, subject to scheme conditions.
• Offers accident protection throughout the day, including accidents occurring outside working hours, subject to the insurance policy's terms and exclusions.
• Extends protection to eligible coconut-sector workers, including coconut tree climbers, harvesters, Neera technicians and specified hybridisation and coconut-processing workers.

Insurance Coverage and Compensation

The Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme provides financial protection to eligible coconut-sector workers against covered accidents, including accidental death, disability and hospitalisation. The following table presents the revised compensation amounts listed on the Government of India's myScheme portal. The Coconut Development Board's older operational guidelines still show earlier coverage amounts, so applicants should confirm the applicable benefits under their current insurance policy.

Note: The insurance benefits listed above are specified in the Coconut Development Board's operational guidelines for the period December 2024 to November 2026. Coverage is subject to the applicable policy terms and conditions. Applicants should confirm any updated benefits, premium details and policy conditions with the Coconut Development Board before applying or filing a claim.

Eligibility Requirements

The Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme is intended for people who perform coconut climbing, harvesting and other eligible activities in the coconut sector. Applicants must meet the prescribed age and occupation requirements to receive insurance coverage under the scheme.

• The applicant must be a coconut tree climber, coconut harvester, Neera technician or eligible trainee.
• The applicant must be between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Eligible trainees enrolled in the Coconut Development Board's Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT) or Neera Technician training programmes can receive first-year insurance coverage paid for by the Board.
• Eligible coconut hybridisation workers and other specified coconut-sector workers may also be covered under the applicable scheme provisions.
• Applicants must provide proof of age and the documents required to establish their occupation or training status.
• The application form must be completed in the prescribed format and countersigned by an authorised Agriculture Officer, Panchayat President, CPF office-bearer or CPC Director, as applicable.
• The applicant must pay the applicable beneficiary share of the insurance premium, unless the Board or another authorised government arrangement covers that contribution.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit the prescribed application form along with the necessary documents to enrol in the Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme. Keep the following documents ready before sending your application to the Coconut Development Board.

• Aadhaar card or a copy of Aadhaar.
• Proof of age to confirm that the applicant is between 18 and 65 years old.
• Caste certificate, if applicable.
• Declaration for Assignment and Declaration Form, as required by the application instructions.
• Certificate from a competent authority confirming that the applicant is working as a coconut tree climber, Neera technician or coconut harvester.
• Certificate of training, where applicable, for applicants trained under the Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT) or Neera Technician training programme.
• Proof of payment of the applicable beneficiary premium, such as a demand draft receipt or online transaction confirmation.
• Any other document requested by the Coconut Development Board or the insurance company.

Note: The application form must be completed in the prescribed format and certified by an authorised official, such as an Agriculture Officer, Panchayat President or another eligible representative specified in the scheme guidelines. Before applying, check the Coconut Development Board's application forms page for the latest form and document requirements.

Steps to Apply

The Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme follows an offline application process. Eligible coconut-sector workers must submit the prescribed application form with the required documents and pay their share of the insurance premium. Follow these steps to enrol in the scheme.

• Download the Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme application form from the Coconut Development Board's Application Forms page.
• Fill in the application form in English using capital letters. Provide your personal details, date of birth, address, contact information and occupation.
• Attach a copy of your Aadhaar card and the front page of your bank passbook, as required by the scheme guidelines.
• Get the completed application form certified by an authorised person. The guidelines list Ward Members, Municipal Corporation Councillors, Panchayat Presidents, Agriculture Officers, Horticulture Officers, office-bearers of Coconut Producers' Societies or Federations, Chairpersons of Coconut Producer Companies and other specified authorities. Different certifying authorities apply to DSP Farm workers, trainees and workers employed by small-scale coconut-based industries.
• Pay the applicable beneficiary premium through an accepted online or offline payment method. The guidelines do not permit cash payments or money orders. For the scheme period covered by the PDF, December 2024 to November 2026, the annual premium is ₹956, of which the beneficiary pays ₹143 and the Coconut Development Board bears the balance.
• Submit the completed and certified form, Aadhaar copy, bank passbook copy and applicable premium payment details to the Coconut Development Board headquarters. Confirm the latest submission and payment instructions before sending your application.

After the submitted documents have been verified and the premium receipt confirmed, the Board forwards the applicant's details to the insurance agency for policy underwriting. Coverage begins on the day the details are shared with the insurance agency. According to the guidelines, the insurer sends the policy to the Board within 20 working days, and the Board then posts it to the beneficiary.

The guidelines cover the period up to November 2026. For the current application procedure and payment details, contact the Coconut Development Board before applying.

How to Claim Insurance Benefits

If an insured worker suffers an accident, the Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme guidelines require the accident to be reported to the Coconut Development Board within three days (72 hours). The claimant must then complete the applicable claim form and submit the supporting documents required for the type of claim.

• Report the accident to the Coconut Development Board within 72 hours.
• After discharge from the hospital, download the relevant claim form from the Coconut Development Board's Application and Claim Forms page. Make sure you use the form applicable to your insurance policy.
• Complete the claim form and obtain the consulting doctor's signature. Submit the duly certified discharge summary, hospital treatment bills, laboratory bills and fitness certificate, as required by the guidelines.
• For a disability claim, submit the disability certificate issued by the doctor.
• For an accidental death claim, submit the post-mortem report, FIR and inquest report. A legal-heirship certificate and no-objection certificate may also be required by the insurance agency.
• For a temporary disability or immobilisation claim, provide a certificate from the treating doctor showing the immobilisation period. The guidelines require at least five consecutive days of disablement for this type of claim.
• Submit the completed claim form and supporting documents to the Coconut Development Board for review and onward transmission to the insurance agency. Provide any additional documents requested by the insurer.

The Board reviews the submitted forms and bills before forwarding them to the insurance agency for settlement. Under the uploaded operational guidelines, once the insurance agency verifies the claim form and required documents, the claim is to be settled through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary within 15 working days.

Address for applications and claim correspondence: The New India Assurance Company Ltd., 36/707, Second Floor, Kandamkulathy Towers, Opp. College Ground, Ernakulam, Kochi – 682011.

Phone: 0484-2377266 Email: [email protected]

Relevant Links

• Coconut Development Board (Official Website)
• Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme Operational Guidelines
• Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme Application Form (English)
• Accident Claim Form – New India Assurance Company Ltd.
• Press Information Bureau – Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme

Contact Information

Coconut Development Board (CDB) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India

• Phone: 0484-2376265 / 0484-2377266
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: The New India Assurance Company Ltd., 36/707, Second Floor, Kandamkulathy Towers, Opp. College Ground, Ernakulam, Kochi – 682011.