PLI Suraksha, Santosh, Suvidha, Sumangal, & Yugal Suraksha Scheme Comparison
Disclaimer: values are approximate for illustration only. Use official PLI rates for exact figures.
Disclaimer: The data provided here is collected from publicly available sources.
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some typographical, coding, or other errors may exist.
Please verify details with the relevant official website.
Comparison of 5 PLI Schemes — Which Post Office Policy Fits Your Goals?
By Uttam Pradhan • HD News Live •
Post Office insurance comes in many flavors: some are savings-first, some protection-first, and some a clever mix of both. If you’ve ever felt like choosing a PLI plan is akin to choosing which mango to buy at the fair — sweet, promising, but suspiciously similar — this guide will be your tasting plate. We compare five popular schemes (Gram Santosh, Gram Suraksha, Gram Sumangal, Gram Priya, Gram Bal Jeevan Bima), show what each is best at, and explain how a simple comparison calculator can save you time and headaches.
🔎 The five schemes — quick snapshot
Gram Santosh
Type: Endowment assurance (maturity lump-sum + bonus)
Best for: Long-term corpus building and guaranteed maturity.
Gram Suraksha
Type: Whole life assurance (lifetime cover)
Best for: Lifelong protection for dependents; estate planning.
Gram Sumangal
Type: Anticipated endowment (periodic money-back)
Best for: People who want periodic payouts during the term plus maturity.
Gram Priya
Type: 10-year money-back plan
Best for: Short-term goals with milestone payouts (education, wedding funds).
Gram Bal Jeevan Bima
Type: Children policy
Best for: Parents who want disciplined savings and protection for children.
🧾 How to compare — what matters
When comparing PLI schemes, consider these practical factors:
- Sum Assured vs premium — affordability and cover
- Cashflow needs — interim payouts vs final lump sum
- Duration — short (10 yrs) vs long (20+ yrs) vs whole life
- Loan and surrender provisions
- Bonus history and how conservative you want to be with projections
📊 Side-by-side illustrative comparison
Below is a simple illustrative table (use a calculator for exact numbers based on current RPLI rates):
| Scheme | Primary purpose | Cashflow pattern | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gram Santosh | Endowment — build corpus | Maturity lump sum + bonuses | Those seeking lump-sum savings at end of term |
| Gram Suraksha | Whole life — lifelong protection | Death benefit any time; no fixed maturity | Estate planning and lifetime family protection |
| Gram Sumangal | Anticipated endowment — periodic money-back | Interim payouts at milestone years + maturity | People needing liquidity during term + maturity |
| Gram Priya | 10-year money-back | Scheduled payouts (e.g., years 4,7) + maturity at 10 | Short-term planners (education, small business seed) |
| Gram Bal Jeevan Bima | Children policy | Milestone payouts timed for child’s needs | Parents/guardians planning for a child’s future |
🧮 How a Comparison Calculator helps (and what it should do)
A good RPLI comparison calculator accepts age, sum assured, premium mode and selected schemes. It should output:
- Annual premium for each scheme (exact using RPLI tables)
- Cashflow timeline (interim payouts and maturity)
- Estimated total benefit (SA + sample bonuses)
- Estimated surrender value and loan eligibility
🔍 Real-life decision guide (short)
- Need money periodically: choose Gram Sumangal or Gram Priya.
- Need lifelong cover: Gram Suraksha.
- Want final big corpus: Gram Santosh.
- Protect and plan for a child: Gram Bal Jeevan Bima.
❓ Frequently Asked Question – FAQs
A: Endowment plans like Gram Santosh typically aim for higher maturity values (sum assured + bonuses). However, exact maturity depends on declared bonuses and policy term.
A: No. Bonuses are declared annually and depend on the surplus. Use conservative bonus projections for planning.
A: Yes — many PLI/RPLI schemes permit loans against accrued surrender value after a minimum period. Exact terms vary by scheme.
A: Premiums for eligible policies may qualify for deduction under Section 80C. Maturity benefits may be tax-exempt under Section 10(10D) subject to conditions. Consult a tax advisor for specifics.
🔗 Share & Help Someone Decide
If this cleared the fog around PLI schemes for you, share it with family, neighbours or that one cousin who always asks, “Which plan is best?”
Disclaimer: Figures and examples in this article are illustrative. Always verify premiums, payout schedules and bonus declarations with official PLI/RPLI tables or your post office before making financial decisions.
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