Health, life insurance mandatory for Bangalore varsity students

Bangalore University has made health insurance and life insurance mandatory for students from the current academic year.

The decision to this effect was taken in a syndicate meeting following recent incidents of accidents and death by suicide of students on the campus. The university has also decided to direct all affiliated colleges to register students under the PM Jan Suraksha Yojana.

An official of the university said that around two years ago, a postgraduate student met with a road accident on the campus and the parents were unable to pay the hospital bill. “There are several such instances - not just the accident. It is so in any kind of health emergency. It is safe to have health insurance.”

The officials mentioned about the recent death of a student in the hostel. “There was an incident of suicide recently at the girls hostel. Paying compensation and bearing hospital bills from university funds has become a burden. Instead, it is good to provide health insurance and if possible even life insurance to students,” official opined. 

Though it was a case of suicide, the university had decided to pay compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the girl’s parents on humanitarian grounds. 

In the year 2017, a similar decision was taken to provide health insurance to all students, but it was not implemented subsequently. However, during the 2024-25 academic year, the university registered students under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and the cards have been issued to all students. “As the coverage under Ayushman Bharat is limited, we have decided to provide health and life insurance to students,” added the officials.

University is yet to decide on the premium and the insurance company. The plan is to add insurance premium amount in the annual fees. 

Over 4,000 students across 54 postgraduate departments study on Jnanabharati campus.