Karnataka Livestock Insurance Scheme

Introduction of Karnataka Livestock Insurance Scheme: A Brief Insight

For a small farmer in Karnataka, a dairy cow or buffalo often provides daily milk and a regular source of income. If the animal dies due to disease or an accident, the family may lose an important part of its livelihood. The Livestock Insurance Scheme helps farmers reduce this financial loss by providing insurance coverage for their animals.

The Government of India runs the scheme as a centrally sponsored programme under the National Livestock Mission, while the Government of Karnataka implements it in the State. Livestock owners pay only their share of the insurance premium, and the Government provides the remaining amount as a subsidy.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Karnataka, implements the scheme. Government veterinary hospitals help owners insure their animals, while insurance companies handle eligible claims.

The main objective is to protect livestock owners from financial losses caused by the sudden death of insured animals. This support encourages farmers to maintain dairy activities and rear good-quality milch animals with less financial risk.

The scheme covers dairy cows and buffaloes that are above 1 year and not more than 8 years old. The insurance premium is 2% of the animal’s market value for a 1-year policy and 6% for a 3-year policy. The insurance value can go up to ₹70,000 per animal.

The Government provides a 70% premium subsidy to BPL, SCP and TSP category owners, while APL owners receive a 50% subsidy. Members of milk producers’ cooperative societies can also receive a premium subsidy for up to 5 cattle under the Pashu Bhagya scheme.

According to a reply given by the Government of India in the Lok Sabha, Karnataka insured about 1,66,872 animals under the National Livestock Mission in 2024-25. Sheep and goat owners can also explore the Anugraha Koduge scheme, which provides ₹5,000 for an eligible sheep or goat above 6 months of age that dies due to an accident or a confirmed epidemic disease.

To apply, the livestock owner must reside in Karnataka and have an eligible dairy cow or buffalo. The animal must also receive a health certificate from a government veterinary officer. Applicants can approach their nearest government veterinary hospital, complete the required formalities, pay their share of the premium and collect the insurance policy.

For assistance, livestock owners can contact the veterinary officer at their nearest government veterinary hospital or approach the Commissioner’s office in Bengaluru. They should confirm the applicable premium, documents and claim conditions before applying. No one should pay an additional amount to obtain insurance.

Farmers looking for livestock insurance coverage at the national level can also read about the Rashtriya Pashudhan Bima Yojana. Those who need regular income support for their families can explore the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.

Farmers who want to protect their standing crops can learn about the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Those who need credit for agricultural expenses can check the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, while dryland farmers interested in rainwater conservation can explore the Karnataka Krishi Bhagya Scheme.

Farmers, dairy owners, shepherds and other rural residents can explore more agriculture, animal husbandry and welfare programmes through our Welfare Schemes List of the Karnataka Government page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Dairy cows and buffaloes are an important source of income for many farmers. If an insured animal dies unexpectedly, the owner may suffer a significant financial loss. The Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Karnataka Government helps protect farmers against this risk by providing insurance coverage and reducing the premium burden through government subsidies.

Financial Benefits

• Insurance coverage against the death of an insured dairy cow or buffalo.
• Insurance premium of 2% of the animal’s market value for a 1-year policy and 6% for a 3-year policy.
• Insurance coverage based on an animal value of up to ₹70,000 per animal.
• BPL, SCP and TSP category livestock owners receive a 70% premium subsidy and pay the remaining 30%.
• APL category livestock owners receive a 50% premium subsidy and pay the remaining 50%.
• Members of milk producers’ cooperative societies can receive a premium subsidy for up to 5 cattle under the Pashu Bhagya scheme.

Example of Insurance Premium and Subsidy

• For an animal valued at ₹70,000, the 1-year insurance premium at 2% comes to ₹1,400.
• After a 70% subsidy, a BPL, SCP or TSP category owner pays approximately ₹420.
• After a 50% subsidy, an APL category owner pays approximately ₹700.
• These amounts are illustrative. The actual premium depends on the market value assessed for the insured animal.

Related Financial Assistance for Sheep and Goat Owners

• Under the Anugraha Koduge scheme, eligible owners receive ₹5,000 for the death of a sheep or goat above 6 months of age due to an accident or a confirmed epidemic disease.
• For the death of a sheep or goat aged between 3 and 6 months, the assistance amount is ₹3,500.
• This assistance covers eligible cases that do not fall under livestock insurance or natural calamity relief provisions.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Government of Karnataka’s Livestock Insurance Scheme provides insurance coverage to livestock owners who rear dairy cows and buffaloes. Applicants must meet the following conditions to insure their animals and receive the applicable premium subsidy.

Basic Eligibility Conditions

• The applicant must be a livestock owner residing in Karnataka.
• The animal must be a dairy cow or buffalo.
• The animal must be more than 1 year and not older than 8 years at the time of insurance.
• The animal must have a valid health certificate issued by a government veterinary officer.
• Livestock owners belonging to BPL, SCP and TSP categories receive a 70% premium subsidy, while APL owners receive a 50% subsidy.
• Members of milk producers’ cooperative societies can receive a premium subsidy for up to 5 cattle under the Pashu Bhagya scheme.

Who Is Not Eligible?

• Owners of cows or buffaloes below 1 year or above 8 years of age.
• Livestock owners who cannot provide the required animal health certificate.
• Applicants who are not residents of Karnataka.
• Non-members of milk producers’ cooperative societies, for the premium subsidy available under Pashu Bhagya.

Documents Required to be Attached

The Karnataka Government’s Livestock Insurance Scheme, implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, provides insurance coverage to dairy cows and buffaloes against death. The department has not published a single fixed list of documents on its public portals. However, applicants may need the following documents to complete the insurance process. Contact your nearest government veterinary hospital to confirm the exact requirements before applying.

• Aadhaar Card of the livestock owner.
• Mobile number of the livestock owner.
• Copy of the owner’s bank passbook.
• BPL ration card, if applicable.
• Caste certificate for livestock owners belonging to the SC or ST category, if applicable.
• Details of the cow or buffalo, including its breed, age and estimated value.
• Health certificate issued by a government veterinary officer.
• Membership proof of a milk producers’ cooperative society, if claiming the premium subsidy available under Pashu Bhagya.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Livestock owners in Karnataka can approach the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services to insure their dairy cows and buffaloes. You can start the process online through the Seva One portal or visit your nearest government veterinary hospital for offline assistance. Follow the steps below to understand how to apply.

Apply Online Through the Seva One Portal

Step 1: Visit the official Seva One Portal of the Government of Karnataka.

Step 2: Register on the portal if you are a new user. If you already have an account, log in using your registered details.

Step 3: Look for the Livestock Insurance Scheme or the relevant service offered by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

Step 4: If the service is available online, open the application form and enter your personal details, address and other information asked by the portal.

Step 5: Enter the details of your dairy cow or buffalo, including its breed, age and other required information.

Step 6: Upload the required documents, such as your Aadhaar card, bank passbook and applicable BPL card or caste certificate.

Step 7: Review the information carefully and submit the application. If the portal asks you to pay your share of the insurance premium online, complete the payment through the available option.

Step 8: Save the application reference number or acknowledgement receipt. You can use these details to check your application status or contact the concerned department.

Important: If you cannot find the Livestock Insurance Scheme or its application service on the Seva One portal, contact your nearest government veterinary hospital. The veterinary officer can guide you about the available application process.

Apply Offline at the Veterinary Hospital

Step 1: Check that your animal is a dairy cow or buffalo, is above 1 year old and is not more than 8 years old.

Step 2: Collect your Aadhaar card, bank passbook and BPL card or caste certificate, if you want to claim the applicable 70% premium subsidy.

Step 3: Visit the nearest government veterinary hospital or veterinary dispensary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in your area.

Step 4: Tell the veterinary officer that you want to insure your cow or buffalo under the Livestock Insurance Scheme.

Step 5: Ask the officer to examine your animal and issue the required health certificate.

Step 6: The officer will record details such as the animal’s breed, age and estimated value. Ask whether you can choose a 1-year or 3-year insurance policy.

Step 7: Submit the required documents and fill out the application form provided by the officer.

Step 8: Pay your share of the insurance premium. BPL, SCP and TSP category owners pay 30% of the premium, while APL category owners pay 50%. Collect the payment receipt.

Step 9: Collect your insurance policy and keep it safely along with the payment receipt. These documents will help you when you need to make an insurance claim.

Take the Premium Subsidy Through Your Milk Society

Step 1: Check whether you are a member of a milk producers’ cooperative society.

Step 2: Meet the secretary of your society and ask about the premium subsidy available under the Pashu Bhagya scheme.

Step 3: Submit the required documents and details of your cattle. Eligible members can receive the applicable subsidy for up to 5 cattle.

Step 4: Ask the secretary how the subsidy will be provided and keep the acknowledgement or receipt for future reference.

If Your Animal Dies

Step 1: Inform the veterinary officer immediately after your insured animal dies. Also contact the insurance company and follow the instructions given by the officer.

Step 2: Ask the veterinary officer to examine the animal and issue the required post-mortem report.

Step 3: Submit your insurance policy, post-mortem report and bank details along with any other documents requested for the claim.

Step 4: The insurance company will examine your claim and process the payment according to the insured value and the policy conditions.

Step 5: Ask the veterinary officer or insurance company about the exact documents and claim submission deadline. Follow their instructions to avoid delays.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Karnataka Livestock Insurance Scheme and Premium Subsidy
• Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department Official Portal
• Pashu Bhagya Scheme and Livestock Insurance Subsidy
• Pashu Bhagya Scheme: Benefits and Eligibility
• Cattle Insurance and INAPH Portal: Government of India
• National Livestock Mission: Livestock Insurance in Karnataka
• Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services: Government Services Portal

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Department: Commissioner of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Karnataka, 1st Floor, Pashupalana Bhavana, Opposite CBI Office, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bengaluru – 560024
• Phone: 080-23414988, 080-23418075
• Email: commissionerahvs@gmail.com
• Local Help: The veterinary officer of your nearest veterinary hospital or dispensary
• Milk Society: The secretary of your milk producers’ cooperative society, for the Pashu Bhagya premium subsidy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.