India has 163 million+ goats and 74 million sheep — primary assets of pastoral communities, nomadic herders, and small farmers. A PPR (Goat Plague) outbreak can kill 50%–80% of your flock within days. the insurer Sheep/Goat Insurance covers disease, predator attacks (leopard, wolf), drowning, flash flood, and avalanche. RPBY government subsidy: 50%–70% of premium.
Rural Insurance
The the insurer Sheep / Goat Insurance Scheme is a livestock mortality insurance product protecting owners of sheep and goats against financial loss from animal death due to disease, accident, predator attack, or natural calamity. India has ~163 million goats and ~74 million sheep — the primary livestock assets of Gujjars, Bakkarwals, Raikas, Dhangars, Changpas, and millions of small farmers. These animals are "walking banks" — liquidated in emergencies. A single PPR outbreak can destroy ₹8 lakh of flock value in days. Probitas Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. (IRDAI Lic. No. 528) is your licensed broker.
Jamunapari, Barbari, Black Bengal, Beetal, Mehsana, Osmanabadi — meat (chevon) & dairy
Deccani, Bellary, Nellore, Mandya, Marwari, Merino cross — wool & mutton production
Changthangi goats — Ladakh; world's finest pashmina wool; highest per-animal SI
Premium stud males — key genetic assets of pastoral herds and organised farms
Rashtriya Pashu Bima Yojana (RPBY) provides premium subsidies of 50% for general category farmers and 70% for BPL / SC / ST farmers and nomadic / pastoral communities. NABARD provides refinance and premium support through rural banks and cooperatives. State Animal Husbandry Departments provide additional subsidies in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Jammu & Kashmir. Call Probitas on 022 4302 0000 to check current subsidy eligibility for your state, community category, and flock size.
Who Can Apply
Every insured sheep / goat must be individually identified by a unique ear tag (metal / plastic) or ear tattoo number at inception. The identification must match the policy schedule and the veterinary certificate. Animals without a valid ear tag cannot be claimed — even if the death is clearly covered. For group policies: a complete ear tag register listing all insured animals must be maintained and submitted at inception.
Every insured animal must be vaccinated against PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) and FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease). Vaccination records must be submitted at inception. PPR vaccination lapse at the time of a PPR outbreak may void the claim for that animal. Enterotoxaemia / Pulpy Kidney and Goat Pox vaccination are strongly recommended in endemic areas.
For pastoral / nomadic flocks undergoing transhumance (seasonal migration from lowland winter pastures to highland summer pastures), the migration route, seasonal grazing areas, and approximate movement dates must be declared at inception. Deaths during undeclared routes or grazing areas may not be covered. Bakkarwals (J&K), Gujjars (Himachal), Raikas (Rajasthan), and Dhangars (Maharashtra) must declare their annual migration route.
| Farmer Category | RPBY Premium Subsidy |
|---|---|
| General Category Farmer | 50% |
| BPL / SC / ST Farmer | 70% |
| Nomadic / Pastoral Community | 70% |
Subject to current RPBY notification. Per-animal SI caps and flock size limits apply. Verify eligibility with state AH Dept. registration. Contact Probitas on 022 4302 0000.
| Animal Type / Breed | SI per Animal |
|---|---|
| Indigenous goats (Black Bengal / Barbari / Jamunapari) | ₹3,000–₹12,000 |
| Improved / crossbred goats (Beetal cross / Sirohi) | ₹8,000–₹25,000 |
| Pashmina goats (Changthangi — Ladakh) | ₹15,000–₹40,000+ |
| Indigenous sheep (Deccani / Bellary / Nellore) | ₹3,000–₹8,000 |
| Fine wool sheep (Merino cross / Rambouillet) | ₹8,000–₹25,000 |
| Breeding ram / buck (stud male) | ₹15,000–₹50,000+ |
SI = market value certified by a government-licensed / registered veterinarian at inception. Reassessed at each annual renewal.
Plan Comparison
Compare Individual Animal, Group Flock, Nomadic/Pastoral, and Pashmina Premium plans across covered perils, identification requirements, RPBY subsidy, and special conditions.
| Points of Difference | Individual Animal | Flock Group Policy | Nomadic / Pastoral | Pashmina Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPR (Goat Plague) death | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| FMD, Enterotoxaemia, CCPP | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Anthrax, Brucellosis, Haem. Septicaemia | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Predator Attack (Leopard / Wolf / Wild Dog) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Road Accident / Drowning | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Flash Flood / Cyclone / Earthquake | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Avalanche / Heavy Snowfall (Himalayan zones) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes (Ladakh) |
| River Crossing Drowning (transhumance) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes (declared route) | ✘ No |
| SI per Animal | ₹3,000–₹50,000+ | ₹3,000–₹25,000 | ₹3,000–₹15,000 | ₹15,000–₹40,000+ |
| Identification Requirement | Individual ear tag | Ear tag register | Ear tag register + route declaration | Individual ear tag + GPS location |
| RPBY Subsidy Eligibility | 50%–70% | 50%–70% | 70% (nomadic) | 50%–70% |
| PPR + FMD Vaccination | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Forest Dept. Panchanama (predator) | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Transhumance Route Declaration | ✘ Not required | ✘ Not required | ✔ Mandatory | ✘ Not required |
Coverage Under Sheep / Goat Insurance
Coverage spans three categories: disease death, predator attack, and accident / natural calamity. Critical: 24-hour notification, do NOT dispose of carcass before vet exam, and for predators — Forest Dept. panchanama required.
Death of any insured sheep / goat must be notified to Probitas on 022 4302 0000 within 24 HOURS. Do NOT dispose of, bury, or remove the carcass before the veterinarian examines and certifies cause of death. Photograph the animal and its ear tag clearly. For predator attack: also notify the Forest Department / gram panchayat for a panchanama. For PPR suspected: also notify the state Animal Husbandry Department.
The carcass must NOT be disposed of, buried, or removed before a government / registered veterinarian examines it and issues a cause-of-death certificate. Photograph the animal and its ear tag clearly before any disposal. The ear tag must be visible in at least one photograph. Early disposal voids the claim.
PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) is a notifiable disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act. If PPR is suspected in the flock, notify the state Animal Husbandry Department immediately. PPR may trigger government movement restrictions and mass vaccination orders. PPR vaccination compliance throughout the policy period is critical for claim validity.
For predator attack claims — leopard, wolf, jackal, wild dog / stray dog attack — a Forest Department or Revenue Department PANCHANAMA / CERTIFICATE confirming the predator attack is required along with the veterinary cause-of-death certificate. Photographs of the carcass showing claw / bite marks are also required. Notify the local forest beat officer and gram panchayat immediately after a predator attack.
PPR vaccination is mandatory. PPR vaccination lapse at the time of a PPR outbreak may void the claim for that specific animal. FMD vaccination lapse similarly may affect FMD-caused death claims. Submit updated vaccination records at inception and at each annual renewal. Keep a vaccination register for all insured animals.
How Claims Are Calculated
Claim = Sum Insured (agreed market value per animal at inception) − Compulsory Excess
Each insured animal is claimed individually by its ear tag number. SI = market value certified by a government-licensed / registered veterinarian at inception. Full SI is paid on death (minus excess).
For group / flock policies: each dead animal is claimed separately by its ear tag number from the ear tag register.
For group / flock policies, each dead animal is claimed individually by its unique ear tag number from the ear tag register submitted at inception. The ear tag number must match the deceased animal (visible in photographs). Claims for animals without matching ear tag records in the register are not payable. Maintaining an accurate, up-to-date ear tag register throughout the policy period is critical.
This policy pays the sum insured on death — it does NOT cover any consequential losses: milk production loss, wool / pashmina income loss, breeding fees / stud fees, kid / lamb production income after the parent's death. Only the agreed SI per animal (minus excess) is payable on death.
| Parameter | PPR Outbreak — Pastoral Goat Flock | Predator Attack — Sheep Flock | Flash Flood — Pashmina Goats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Type | Jamunapari × Barbari cross goats | Deccani × Merino crossbred sheep | Changthangi pashmina goats (Ladakh) |
| Flock / Animals Insured | 100 goats (individual ear tags) | 50 sheep (individual ear tags) | 30 goats (individual ear tags) |
| SI per Animal | ₹ 8,000 | ₹ 10,000 | ₹ 25,000 |
| Total Flock SI | ₹ 8,00,000 | ₹ 5,00,000 | ₹ 7,50,000 |
| Event / Cause | PPR outbreak — 18 goats die; state AH Dept. confirms PPR; vaccination current | Leopard attack during night grazing — 5 sheep killed; Forest Dept. panchanama confirms leopard attack | Flash flood during summer grazing — 8 goats drowned; Revenue Dept. + vet confirm flash flood death |
| Animals Dead / Claimed | 18 goats (ear tags verified) | 5 sheep (ear tags verified) | 8 goats (ear tags verified) |
| Gross Claim | 18 × ₹8,000 = ₹1,44,000 | 5 × ₹10,000 = ₹50,000 | 8 × ₹25,000 = ₹2,00,000 |
| Compulsory Excess | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 2,000 |
| Claim Payable | ₹ 1,43,000 | ₹ 49,000 | ₹ 1,98,000 |
| Special Document Required | State AH Dept. PPR investigation report | Forest Dept. panchanama + carcass photographs with bite/claw marks | Revenue Dept. flash flood certificate |
* Illustrative only. Actual settlement depends on veterinary cause certification, ear tag verification, vaccination records, and policy excess as per policy schedule. For PPR — vaccination must be current. For predator — Forest Dept. panchanama mandatory.
Policy Conditions
The following 12 conditions are binding under the insurer Sheep / Goat Insurance. Conditions 1 (Ear Tag Mandatory), 3 (PPR Vaccination), 4 (24-hour notification), 7 (Predator panchanama), and 8 (Transhumance declaration) are the most critical.
Ear Tag / Ear Tattoo Identification Mandatory: Every insured sheep / goat must be individually identified by a unique ear tag or ear tattoo number at inception. Identification must match the veterinary certificate. Animals without ear tag cannot be claimed.
Veterinary Health Certificate Mandatory: A health certificate from a government-licensed / registered vet — confirming breed, age, health condition, and assessed market value — is mandatory at inception for every insured animal.
PPR & FMD Vaccination Mandatory: All insured animals must be vaccinated against PPR and FMD. Records must be submitted at inception. PPR vaccination lapse at the time of a PPR outbreak may void the claim for that animal.
Notification Within 24 HOURS: Death must be notified to Probitas (022 4302 0000) within 24 HOURS. Do NOT dispose of the carcass before vet examination. For predator: notify Forest Dept. For PPR: notify state AH Dept. immediately.
Do NOT Dispose of Carcass Before Vet Examination: Carcass must NOT be disposed of, buried, or removed before a government / registered vet examines it and issues a cause-of-death certificate. Early disposal voids the claim. Photograph animal and ear tag clearly.
PPR — Notifiable Disease: PPR is notifiable — notify state AH Dept. immediately if suspected. PPR may trigger government movement restrictions and mass vaccination orders. State AH Dept. investigation report required for PPR claims.
Predator Attack — Forest Dept. Panchanama Required: For leopard / wolf / wild dog attack claims, a Forest Dept. or Revenue Dept. panchanama / certificate is required along with vet cause-of-death certificate and carcass photographs showing claw / bite marks.
Transhumance — Migration Route Declaration: For pastoral / nomadic flocks, the migration route, seasonal grazing areas, and movement dates must be declared at inception. Deaths during undeclared routes / grazing areas may not be covered.
Annual Renewal — Fresh Valuation: At each annual renewal, a fresh vet certificate confirming the animal's current health condition and revised market value is required. SI is reassessed annually (generally declining with age).
Group Policy — Ear Tag Register: For group / flock policies, a complete ear tag register listing all insured animals (tag number, breed, age, SI) must be submitted at inception. New animals added mid-year require a fresh endorsement.
RPBY / Government Scheme Compliance: For RPBY-linked policies, premium subsidy eligibility, per-animal SI caps, and coverage limits are per current government notification. Farmers must be registered with state Animal Husbandry Dept.
Cancellation: Either party may cancel on 7 days' written notice. Premium refunded on short-period scale for unexpired term (pro-rata in some states for livestock). No refund if claim has been paid during the policy period.
How to File a Claim
All sheep / goat death claims require veterinary cause-of-death certification. For PPR: state AH Dept. report. For predator attack: Forest Dept. panchanama. 24-hour notification is critical. Call 022 4302 0000.
PPR claims: notify Probitas (022 4302 0000) AND state Animal Husbandry Dept. within 24 hours. State AH Dept. vet conducts official PPR investigation and issues a disease investigation report — required along with the claim form. Predator attack claims: notify Probitas AND the local forest beat officer / gram panchayat within 24 hours. Forest Dept. or Revenue Dept. issues a panchanama / certificate confirming predator attack. Photographs of the carcass showing claw / bite marks are also required.
Call Probitas on 022 4302 0000 within 24 hours of death. Do NOT dispose of the carcass. Photograph the animal and ear tag clearly. For PPR: also notify state AH Dept. For predator: notify forest beat officer / panchayat for panchanama.
A government / registered veterinarian examines the carcass and issues a Cause of Death Certificate — certifying breed, ear tag number, and cause (disease / predator / accident / calamity). For PPR / notifiable disease: state AH Dept. investigation report also required. For predator: Forest Dept. panchanama.
Claim Form, Policy doc, Ear tag / tattoo number of deceased, Vet Health Certificate (inception), Vet Cause of Death Certificate, PPR & FMD vaccination records, Photographs of deceased animal (showing ear tag), Forest Dept. panchanama (predator), State AH Dept. report (PPR), Bank details for NEFT.
Claim = Sum Insured (per animal at inception) − Compulsory Excess. Each animal claimed individually by ear tag number. Payment by NEFT within 30 days of complete documents per IRDAI TAT norms.
Common Questions about Sheep / Goat Insurance
Get Instant Quotes in 3 click*
Fill in your flock details. Our rural livestock specialist will contact you within one working day — including RPBY subsidy eligibility check and ear tag guidance.
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Insurance is subject to terms and conditions of the policy wordings issued by the insurer.