Medical costs have been increasing at an alarming rate in India. As per reports, healthcare inflation in our country is rising at double the overall retail inflation rate. At such times, not having adequate medical insurance cover for yourself and your family members can prove to be a significant financial drawback for you.

In the absence of health insurance, even a single medical emergency in the family has the potential to wipe years' worth of savings. Health insurance policies provide a protective shield against the hefty medical expenses you may incur if you or your family member needs hospitalisation.

However, with many insurance companies offering a wide array of mediclaim policies in India, selecting the right health insurance plan can sometimes become difficult. To tell you how to buy health insurance for yourself, we've collated some critical factors regarding health policies in this article.

By being aware of these factors, you can make an informed decision while purchasing a medical insurance policy. Let's get started.

Types of health insurance plans

The first thing you need to know before buying a mediclaim policy is the types of health insurance plans available in the market. Typically, there are two types of health insurance policies:

1. Individual health policy

As the name suggests, this type of health insurance policy caters to an individual. The premium amount for these health plans is calculated based on an individual's age, medical history, present health condition and inherent risks. You can choose to purchase a standalone individual health policy for yourself or buy separate individual health policies for different family members.

2. Family floater policy

Also known as a group health insurance plan, this policy is designed to cover the entire family under a single medical insurance plan. The sum insured of a family floater policy is shared by all family members covered under the policy. A family floater plan usually covers the policyholder, his/her spouse, dependent children and parents.

The sum insured

The sum insured is the maximum amount of money the insurance company is liable to pay to the policyholder in a year. It means that if a health insurance policy offers a sum insured of Rs. 5 lakhs, it's the maximum claim amount that you'll get in a year. In case your claim amount exceeds the sum insured of the policy, you will have to bear the extra expenses out of your pocket.

It would be best to opt for the right combination of premium and sum insured while buying a health insurance policy. A policy with a lesser sum insured can prove inadequate during a medical exigency whereas, a policy with a very high sum insured may lead to a higher premium.

The waiting period clause

Being aware of the waiting period clause can help you make the right decision while purchasing a health insurance policy. The waiting period refers to the period you have to wait for before the insurer can cover your existing health conditions. Usually, the waiting period ranges between two to four years, depending upon the insurer and policy type.

This waiting period applies to all pre-existing illnesses, including thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, etc., that the policyholder may have before buying the policy. Some policies may also extend the waiting period clause to certain specific treatments and illnesses such as cataract, arthritis, varicose veins, etc.

Hence, you must check the policy document's waiting period clause while buying a health insurance plan. It's best to choose the policy with a minimum waiting period.

Cashless treatment facility

Generally, all health insurance plans offer cashless treatment facility to the policyholders. The policyholder is not required to pay anything out of his/her pocket during hospitalisation at a cashless facility. All he/she needs to do is show the policy document at the hospital, and the bills are settled directly between the insurance provider and the hospital.

However, this facility may not always be available at a hospital of your choice. Health insurance companies have tie-ups with the network hospitals where the policyholders can avail this facility. Thus, while buying a health insurance policy with a cashless treatment facility, you should always check for the network hospitals in your vicinity.

It goes without saying that you should opt for the insurer which has partnered with the maximum number of hospitals and all major hospitals in your city. For instance, you can go for health insurance, which offers cashless treatment at more than 6500 network hospitals across the country.

By taking good care of your health and body, you can avoid serious ailments during the winters

It's that time of the year when you sip hot cups of coffee or ginger tea while enjoying the foggy mornings and chilly evenings. While you look forward to being bundled up in your favourite winter outfits and relishing cosy nights under the blanket, you cannot ignore the fact that this season has a downside to it as well.

If you fail to take proper care of your health and body, you can end up with severe ailments during the frigid winter months. A sudden drop in temperature can cause significant health issues such as bronchitis, pneumonia etc. What seems like a common cold or flu, in the beginning, can progress into a more severe illness if not taken care of properly.

Read on to know about a few common winter ailments, their symptoms and prevention tips.

Common cold

This is one of the most common winter diseases, and most of us often ignore it, thinking it's due to the changing season. Though we are right to an extent, if this common cold or viral infection doesn't subside in two to four days, we need immediate medical help. Common cold can affect anyone, but children and senior citizens are more vulnerable to severe disease symptoms.

The common cold symptoms include headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing. However, if the condition worsens, you may also experience high fever, chest congestion and breathing difficulties.

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids
• Get adequate rest and sleep
• Wash your hands frequently to avoid infection
• Avoid outside food as much as possible
• Wear multiple layers of clothing
• Gargle with hot water or inhale steam

Flu

Flu is often mistaken for the common cold by most people. However, that may not be the case every time. Flu, also known as influenza, is an infectious health disease that mainly affects the infected person's respiratory tract. The leading cause of flu is the contamination of the body with the influenza virus. It can last from 2 to 7 days, depending upon the severity.

Most of the symptoms of flu are similar to that of the common cold. A person suffering from flu may experience mild to high fever, sore throat, body ache, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and cold. In some cases, patients may also experience pain in their ears and redness or itchiness in their eyes.

• Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing
• Maintain a safe distance from people showing flu symptoms
• Wash your hands frequently
• Maintain respiratory hygiene
• Exercise daily and consume immunity-boosting food

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infection in the person's respiratory tract, caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Children or toddlers below the age of two and people with weak immunity are mainly affected by this disease. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties. If the symptoms persist for more than ten days, medical intervention is required.

As mentioned above, the person suffering from bronchitis experience difficulty breathing due to the inflammation of airway passage in the lungs. Other symptoms of bronchitis include mild fever, wheezing, coughing, nasal congestion and dehydration.

• Get adequate rest and sleep
• Drink lots of fluids to keep yourself hydrated
• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke, firecrackers etc.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is another common lung disease which can occur during the winter season. Unlike other winter diseases, pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection. You can usually treat it at home, but hospitalisation is necessary if symptoms get severe. Pneumonia can prove to be a life-threatening disease for children below five years of age and senior citizens.

A person suffering from pneumonia experiences constant cold and high fever for several days. Other pneumonia symptoms include excessive coughing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, heavy sweating, and shortness of breath. Though pneumonia symptoms can vanish in one or two weeks, weakness and fatigue can last for a month or so.

• Wash your hands frequently
• Eat lots of fruits and leafy vegetables
• Avoid smoking and exposure to smoke
• Exercise daily to boost your immunity
• Visit your physician if the symptoms persist

Norovirus

Among the several bottlenecks that have slowed the adoption of health insurance, complexity of products deserves a special mention. This is because the common man, more often than not, is not aware of the jargons used in health insurance or understands their implications in the working of a plan.

To bridge this knowledge gap, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has issued a fresh instruction to insurers, asking them to colour code policies based on their level of complexity. The diktat is aimed to aid consumers to know how easy or difficult it is to understand the policy.

What is the Colour Code?

The colour code of health insurance plans will be akin to traffic signals – red, orange and green. While a green colour implies that the policy is easy to understand, orange represents moderate complexity. Red, on the other hand, reflects that the policy is complex. The colours are based on a score ranging from 0 to 6.

Health insurance plans with a score of 2 or less will have green colour, while those having a score of more than 2 but less than 4 will be coloured orange. A health insurance policy with a score of more than 4 and up to 6 will be red.

How do Insurers Calculate the Score?

To calculate the score, insurers take into account seven parameters:

• Number of optional covers
• Waiting period
• Percentage of co-pay
• Number of treatments where sub-limits are applicable
• Simplicity of terms
• Deductibles
• Number of permanent exclusions

All the seven parameters mentioned above would get an equal weightage of 14.28%.

Score for Optional Cover and Co-pay

A score of 0.6 would be allocated to one optional cover. So, if a health insurance policy has 6 optional covers, this parameter would get a score of 3.6. For co-pay, which represents the percentage of payment that the policyholder has to pay from his pocket, a score of 0.3 is given for every 1% rise in co-payment beyond 5%.

Score for Waiting Period

Every one-month waiting period would get a score of 0.15%. So, if the maximum waiting period is 24 months, then the score on this parameter would be 3.6. Waiting period refers to the time where the insurer doesn’t entertain claims for pre-existing ailments.

Sub-limit Score

When it comes to sub-limit, a score of 0.6 is allotted for every disease under sub-limit. So, in case a health insurance policy has 8 diseases under sub-limit, then the score allotted for this parameter would be 4.8.

Scores for Deductibles and Permanent Exclusions

For deductibles, which is the amount a policyholder needs to pay before the insurer starts paying, a score of 0.3 is given for every 1% of deductible in a policy. Hence, if a health plan has a 5% deductible, this parameter's score would be 1.5.

A score of 0.6 is given for every permanent exclusion. Therefore, if a policy has 10 exclusions, the score for this parameter would be 6.

For the final of the score towards a policy, the weighted average score of all the seven parameters would be added.

The insurance regulator has also said that health insurance companies need to indicate the colour code on their websites for products they are selling and do the same while advertising so that customers can make an informed choice.

A comprehensive health insurance plan will help cover your parents’ medical expenses as they age.

As your parents grow older, they become more prone to illnesses and infections, and hence health insurance becomes a necessity.

Your parents strive hard throughout their lives to provide a comfortable lifestyle and quality education to you. However, in their quest to provide for the family, they may end up ignoring their own needs. As a result, they may be left with minimal savings during the golden years of their lives.

Therefore, as a responsible son/daughter, it becomes your duty to purchase a reliable health insurance policy for your parents. Many insurance companies in India offer dedicated health insurance plans for senior citizens, keeping in mind the unique medical needs of older people.

So, if you haven't yet purchased health insurance for your parents, you should do so without any delay. Let's have a look at some of the benefits of procuring health insurance for parents.

Tackle the increasing healthcare costs

As the medical inflation rate goes up globally, healthcare costs are rising every year in India too. It means that in case your mother or father falls ill in the near future, you may incur greater expenses for their treatment that what you would assume as per today's treatment rates.

However, a health insurance policy for your parents may help you tackle these costs. It typically covers healthcare expenses such as hospital room-rent, doctor's consultation fees, costs for buying medicines and other medical supplies, ambulance charges, etc.

Medical coverage for elderly people

Most standard health insurance policies provide medical coverage for people only up to the age of 65. It means that after this age, your elderly parents may be left without any medical coverage, which can be very risky.

By buying a senior citizen health insurance policy, which offers coverage for senior citizens even after the age of 65, you can ensure optimal health coverage for your elderly parents. Some insurers even provide health insurance for senior citizens with an option of lifetime renewability.

A high sum insured

The healthcare needs of your parents might be very different from yours. They usually require some extra medical care since their bodies are more prone to infections and illnesses. Therefore, a sum insured sufficient for younger people might not be enough for their older counterparts.

A senior citizen health insurance policy generally comes with a high sum insured, keeping in mind the additional healthcare needs of older adults. It allows the policyholders to get coverage of up to ₹25 to 30 lakhs. Some insurers even allow their customers to top-up their sum insured to ensure adequate coverage all the time.

You must take your family size into consideration, to get a health insurance plan that suits best.

Hectic professional schedules, lifestyle, pollution and accidents are few of the several grim factors that can affect your family's health. The continually rising medical inflation and skyrocketing healthcare prices have made health insurance a must-have for everyone.

Family health insurance plans protect you from high medical expenses you may incur due to unforeseen hospitalisation of any of your covered family members. Such plans typically take care of hospital bills during medical emergencies or planned medical procedures.

However, before buying a health insurance plan for your family, you must know the impact of a family's size on the cost of the medical insurance policy. Although a larger family size may escalate the health insurance cost, it does not necessarily mean you will spend more to secure your loved ones.

How to secure your family's health

Below are the ways through which you can get your family's health secured:

The first option is to buy separate individual health plans for different family members. Below are the features of such plans:

• The medical coverage is steady and well-defined. It will not be affected by the claims made by other family members.
• Coverage is based on the age, health and habits of each member of the family.
• You can avail medical coverage for anyone in your family with individual policies.

However, having a separate health insurance plan for each family member can break your bank. Here, your family size directly impacts the premium amount as the number of policies you need to buy increase.

The other and more prudent option is to buy a family floater plan for your entire family. Below are the features of a family floater plan:

• The medical coverage of other members can change in a particular policy term if one member claims expenses.
• Children above a certain age cannot be included in family floater plans.
• The premium is based on all the members covered in the plan.
• New members can be added to a floater plan with at the time of renewal.

Impact of family size on the cost of health insurance

Larger family size does not necessarily mean higher medical expenses. A family of six people may incur lesser medical costs than a family of two, depending on the individual's current health condition. It means a healthy family of six people may utilise its health insurance only once during a year, whereas, a family of two people with existing health issues may need to use their health insurance multiple times.

However, the size of a family does indeed impact its health insurance premium. The cost of a family health insurance policy goes up every time a new member is added.

For a better understanding of how family health insurance works, let's study an example.

Mr X wants to take a health insurance policy that gives coverage to himself, his spouse and two minor children. He gets an insurance coverage of ₹50 lakhs for the four family members combined. The insurance premium is based on Mr X's age since he is the oldest member of his family. It also factors in the other three members he is adding to the plan.

Suppose, during a policy term, Mr X's wife requires a gall bladder stone removal. She utilises the family medical insurance policy, and the insurance company pays the bill of ₹3 lakhs for it. For the rest of that particular policy term, all Mr X's family members will be eligible for medical claims of up to Rs. 47 lakhs.

During the same policy term, say Mr X experiences a cardiac event and has to undergo an operation. The insurance company pays the hospital bill of Rs. 7 lakhs for it. So, for the rest of that particular policy term, Mr X's entire family remains eligible for medical claims up to ₹40 lakh.

In this way, the remaining sum insured continues for the family on floater basis.

India has started its COVID-19 vaccination drive on 16th January, with healthcare workers getting the first jabs.

2021 started on a promising note with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approving two vaccines for coronavirus for restricted emergency use. This news brought a sigh of relief, given the virus's toll on all of us last year. With India starting one of the biggest vaccination drives globally, here are some of the finer aspects that you should know.

Who Will Get Priority in the COVID-19 Vaccination Drive?

Given our country's vast population, administering the Covid vaccine to all is undoubtedly a challenging task. However, the Government had set its priorities as per the following vaccination sequence:

As per the National Expert Group for Vaccine Administration on COVID-19, public and private healthcare workers will get the vaccine first. These workers have been further divided into several sub-categories such as frontline healthcare workers, nurses and supervisors, support staff, paramedical staff, medical officers and students.

The Government has collected and fed data on all these workers on its CoWIN platform, which it seeks to scale up in the coronavirus vaccination drive.

Next in the vaccination line come the workers associated with armed forces, state and central police department, municipal workers, revenue officials, home guards, disaster management, and prison staff. Note that all these officials are associated with the containment of COVID-19 and its surveillance.

Vaccine for coronavirus will also be administered to workers associated with ministries of home, defence, housing and urban affairs.

Population Above 50 Years

Next in the line for COVID-19 vaccination comes people above 50 years of age. This group has also been sub-divided into two categories – above 50 and 50-60 years. The Government will use electoral rolls for identifying people in this age group.

High COVID-19 Infection Areas

States and union territories will have the flexibility to administer vaccines among identified priority groups in geographical areas with high COVID-19 infection prevalence.

Rest of the Population

After covering the above categories, the rest of the population will be inoculated. To avoid overcrowding, everyone will receive the vaccine in a staggered manner.

Registering for Coronavirus Vaccination

In the later phase of the vaccination drive, mainly while covering the rest of the population, a self-registration module will be available. To self-register, you need to:

• Register yourself on CoWIN app
• Authenticate using any Government ID proof or Aadhaar
• Once you register, you will get a time and date for vaccination

Note that there will be no spot registration. Only, if you are a pre-registered beneficiary, can you proceed for vaccination.

COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Depending on the priority groups, sites have been identified where you will receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The sites are:

This is a health facility (Government or private) where a medical officer or doctor is present.

Session sites other than health facilities, such as community halls, schools, etc., fall under this category.

Several locations in India are remote and hard to reach. Special mobile teams, planned by the district administration, will reach out to such areas.

Three Rooms of Vaccination

There are three dedicated rooms for COVID-19 vaccination. They are:

You need to wait your turn in this room.

You will be given the vaccine in this room.

After receiving the vaccine, you will be kept under observation in this room for half an hour, post which you can go home.

5-Member COVID-19 Vaccination Team

A five-member vaccination team will conduct the vaccination process. The team includes:

• Officer 1: This officer will be in charge of pre-checking registration.
• Officer 2: This officer will be responsible for authentication.
• Officer 3: The third vaccination officer will be in charge of administering the vaccine.
• Officer 4 and 5: These two officers will be in charge of managing the crowd and observation.

With an aim to provide social security to the people belonging to the low-income groups, the Government of India launched AABY on 2nd October 2007.

As per the Ministry of Labour and Employment data, approximately 93% of India's total workforce is employed in the unorganised sector. Workers belonging to these occupational groups often shy away from buying health insurance coverage due to their poor financial state. However, in case of accidental injuries, illnesses, or death, their families may have to face the excessive financial brunt.

To provide social security to this section of the population, India launched "Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)" on 2nd October 2007. The literal translation of the name is the common man's insurance scheme. It provides coverage against natural or accidental death and disability to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families' breadwinners.

What is the AABY scheme?

As specified above, the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) is a social security scheme, launched on 2nd October 2007. It provides health insurance coverage against contingencies such as death or disability. It is targeted towards the breadwinners of low-income families in India, and benefits those working in the unorganised sector, such as daily wage labourers, fishermen, cobblers, auto drivers, etc.

The AABY scheme started operating successfully from 2013 under the supervision of the Finance Ministry of India.

Features & benefits of the AABY scheme

The scheme covers family heads or lone earning members of the families belonging to the low-income groups.

The coverage amount remains fixed throughout the policy period. The policyholder gets a lump sum in case of a claim.

In case of the insured person's natural death during the coverage tenure, the nominee or surviving family members will be paid ₹30,000.

In case of accidental death or total permanent disability (loss of both eyes or both limbs), the policyholder or his/her nominee gets ₹75,000.

In case of partial permanent disability (loss of one eye or one limb), the policyholder or his/her nominee gets ₹37,500.

The scheme is designed to cover the members of 48 occupational groups identified by the Government.

The premium amount that's charged to provide the benefits of AABY scheme is ₹200 per annum. While 50% of this premium will be subsidised from the Social Security Fund, the State Government or Nodal Agency will bear the remaining 50% amount.

The AABY scheme also offers a free scholarship of ₹100 every month to the eligible children (maximum of two children per person) to ensure that they receive uninterrupted education. The children must be studying between class 9th to class 12th to avail of this benefit.

By availing the AABY scheme's benefits, the insured person will also be eligible to claim certain tax benefits under Section 80(D) and Section 10(10D) of The Income Tax Act, 1961.

Insured members can approach their nearest Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) branch to solve their queries or issues regarding this scheme.

Eligibility criteria for AABY

As mentioned above, the AABY scheme is meant to benefit the low-income families of India. Below is the basic eligibility requirement for an individual to avail the benefits of this scheme:

• The applicant should be between 18 to 59 years of age.
• The applicant should be the head of the family or its lone earning member, belonging to the EWS, i.e. Below the Poverty Line (BPL), or slightly above the poverty line.
• The individual must belong to a rural landless household.
• The individual must belong to one of the 48 vocational groups, identified as beneficiaries under this scheme.
• Only one member per family can be covered under the scheme.

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to make some changes to your lifestyle. By making the right health resolutions and sticking to them, you can stay fit all year long.

Finally, 2020 is gone, and 2021 is here. You must have welcomed the new year with lots of hope and vigour. Keeping behind the sufferings endured by the world due to the pandemic, it's time to be optimistic and think about the future. A new year signals a new beginning and provides an opportunity to take firm steps for a better tomorrow.

One of the ordinary things that most of us do before starting a year is making new year resolutions. After all, each one of us wants to improve our lives in the upcoming year. However, it's essential to keep our new year resolutions manageable and strategic so that we can strictly follow them.

According to Nielsen's survey, new year resolutions are mostly centred on staying fit and healthy. So, if you also want to improve your health in 2021, here are some practical new year's resolution ideas you can actually follow:

Make exercising a daily routine

There is no better way to stay fit than through daily exercise daily. It will not only help you in keeping your muscles active but in reducing your stress levels. It would help if you made it a habit to exercise daily for at least 40 minutes. What you can do is block a time in your daily calendar, possibly in the morning or evening, to tackle some fitness activities.

You can start with a simple morning walk and evening walk and gradually move on to activities such as weight lifting, squats, push-ups, etc. If you find it difficult to do these exercises at home, you can join a gym near your residence.

Start eating a healthy diet

It's one of the most common new year resolutions that most of us take but often fail to follow. Eating a healthy diet is one of the simplest and sustainable methods to keep yourself fit. It significantly reduces the chances of developing heart diseases and keeps your blood sugar level in check. On the contrary, an improper diet can hamper your development and may cause irreparable damage to your body.

You should strictly avoid eating junk foods such as chips, soft drinks, candies, etc. Instead, go for whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, milk and fish, as they are rich in nutrients required by your body to function at an optimal level. You can also consult a dietician to get a healthy diet chart for yourself.

Quit smoking and minimise drinking

You must be well aware of the ill effects of alcohol and tobacco on your health. They can cause some severe health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, bronchitis, and pulmonary diseases. Hence, if you have a habit of smoking and drinking frequently, you must try to quit it without any delay.

It may seem like an uphill task in the beginning, but you can start with baby steps. It would help if you aimed to completely give up on smoking and minimise the intake the alcohol.

Reduce your sitting time and start walking more

According to health experts, sitting for a prolonged period is considered as bad for the body as smoking. Sitting or lying down for too long can increase the risk of chronic health problems such as heart diseases, diabetes and even cancer. Whether it's because of a sedentary job or inactiveness, most of us prefer to sit more than we should.

Hence, it would be best if you made it a resolution to reduce your sitting time and instead, indulge in more physical activities. If your job requires you to sit for an extended period, take frequent 10-minute walking or standing breaks.

Sleep for at least seven to eight hours a day

Getting adequate sleep is vital for your overall health. Sleep deprivation or inadequate sleep may lead to serious health consequences such as obesity, heart diseases and depression. There can be many reasons for a person not to get enough sleep. It can be due to stress or a sedentary lifestyle. It's crucial to fix these issues and sleep for at least seven to eight hours a day.

Healthcare costs are constantly rising in India. Reports say India's medical inflation is increasing at 15% every year; almost double the overall inflation rate. It means that a heart surgery that costs ₹2 lakh today will cost approximately ₹5 lakh after seven or eight years.

Hence, a health insurance policy becomes a necessity for every individual. It protects the insured person from incurring exorbitant healthcare expenditures and ensures that he/she gets necessary medical treatment when required. For senior citizens, a health plan becomes even more crucial since their bodies are weak and more prone to illnesses, infections and injuries.

If statistics are to be believed, around 47% of India's senior citizens suffer from at least one chronic disease, such as diabetes, depression, asthma, arthritis or angina. To protect the elderly from incurring hefty medical expenses, many insurance companies in India have started offering unique mediclaim policies known as senior citizen health insurance plans. 

These plans are designed to address the precise healthcare needs of senior citizens, i.e. people above the age of 60. Read on to know why health insurance for senior citizens is necessary.

Tackle skyrocketing healthcare costs

A medical emergency often comes unannounced. A single instance of hospitalisation can wipe out the entire life’s savings of a person. For example, bypass surgery can cost anywhere between ₹2 to ₹5 lakh, depending upon the hospital. Add to it, the charges for medicines, diagnostic tests, hospital’s room rent, and it can become a mountain of expenses.

A senior citizen medical insurance policy helps the insured person to tackle unforeseen medical expenditures with ease. It ensures that the policyholder does not have to worry about skyrocketing healthcare expenses and focus only on his/her recovery at the time of a medical emergency.

Medical coverage for elderly people

As per the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) guidelines, all standard health insurance policies mandatorily provide medical coverage for people up to the age of 65. It means that after this age, senior citizens might be left without any medical coverage, which can be very dangerous.

However, a senior citizen medical insurance policy provides coverage for older people up to 85. It means that by buying such policies, senior citizens can ensure optimal health coverage for themselves, even if the standard health plans refuse to cover them. Some insurers even provide health insurance for senior citizens with an option of lifetime renewability.

Comprehensive medical coverage

As specified above, a senior citizen health insurance policy is designed to cover the specific healthcare needs of older adults. It provides comprehensive medical coverage by covering various healthcare expenses, including hospital’s room-rent, doctor’s consultation fees, costs for buying medicines and other medical supplies, ambulance charges, etc.

Additionally, health insurance for senior citizens also provides a cashless hospitalisation facility, which means that the insured person can avail of treatment at any network hospital without paying anything out of his/her pocket at the time of a medical emergency. This saves him/her or his/her children from the hassles of paying hefty hospital bills and then seek reimbursement from the insurer.

Coverage for pre-existing ailments

As people grow old, their bodies become frail and start losing their immunity power. Pre-existing diseases may be prevalent in senior citizens while buying a mediclaim policy. A senior citizen health insurance policy provides coverage for most pre-existing ailments in the elderly, albeit with a waiting period.

It means that after the completion of this waiting period, which is usually two to four years from the policy inception date, the insured senior citizen will be financially covered for the treatment of pre-existing ailments, including diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney problems etc.

Coverage for critical illnesses

Senior citizens are more susceptible to catching life-threatening diseases or illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, heart attack, anaemia, liver failure, stroke etc. Treatment of such diseases is usually costly, which be sometimes beyond one’s financial capability.

Health insurance for senior citizens provides financial coverage to them against treating critical illnesses mentioned in the policy document. Hence, it helps them save lakhs of rupees they may otherwise incur in the absence of a medical cover.

The food you eat plays a significant role in your overall health and fitness. Unhealthy fast foods can have a detrimental effect on your body, making it weak and prone to diseases. On the other hand, a balanced diet supplies the required nutrients to your body and mind to keep you strong and healthy. It also helps in maintaining good body weight and improves metabolic functions.

Various pulses, including lentils, dried peas, kidney beans and chickpeas, constitute an essential part of a balanced diet. They are a rich source of vitamins and nutrients such as protein, fibre, calcium etc. Pulses also supply minerals such as iron, zinc, folate and magnesium into the body and hence, their addition to your diet may help you live a healthy lifestyle.

The United Nations (UN) has dedicated 10th February as International Pulses Day to make people aware of the importance and benefits of pulses and legumes as a global food. In this article, we have listed down a few nutritional and health benefits of beans and pulses. Read on.

#1 Pulses are a great source of vitamins and minerals

By consuming pulses and dals daily, you can get your required quota of essential vitamins and minerals. Pulses are a great source of fibre, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium and folate. They are also abundant in Vitamin B, thiamine and niacin. Our body needs these vitamins and minerals to function efficiently.

#2 Pulses are a rich source of proteins

Pulses are high on amino acids, which make them a rich source of proteins. Proteins play a vital role in enhancing our body's overall strength and improving its repairing and maintenance power. Hence, if you engage in a lot of physical activity daily, adding pulses to your diet can be very beneficial. You can also combine dairy products, grains and nuts in your meal to ensure the optimum dose of proteins in your body.

#3 Pulses possess antioxidant effects

Pulses, beans, and lentils are abundant in polyphenols, making them good antioxidants. Antioxidants are necessary to protect your body cells against free radicals produced as a by-product during metabolism. In the absence of antioxidants, your body may become prone to ill health. This makes the consumption of lentils and pulses all the more critical.

#4 Pulses are good for the heart

One of the most primary health benefits of beans and pulses is keeping your heart in good shape. Consumption of pulses reduces your body's cholesterol level and thus helps improve your heart's health. Also, pulses usually contain high potassium and low sodium, which aids in regulating blood pressure.

#5 Pulses reduce the risk of diabetes

Pulses and legumes are ranked lower in the glycemic index, meaning they cause a minimal rise in your blood sugar level. Therefore, people who consume pulses regularly may have a lower chance of getting diabetes. And in case you already have diabetes, you can add pulses to your daily diet to regulate blood sugar level.

#6 Pulses are a good source of folate

Pulses, beans, and lentils are a rich folate source as they contain Vitamin B, which helps produce new cells. Hence, eating pulses can be very good during rapid growth stages, such as infancy and pregnancy. Growing children and pregnant women should thus include a fair amount of pulses in their daily diet.

#7 Pulses may reduce the risk of cancer

As mentioned above, pulses, beans, and lentils act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, reducing cancer risk. Lentils also contain an element known as selenium, which decreases the rate at which a tumour grows. They also boost immunity and stimulate T cells' production, which helps in fighting diseases.

India started one of the most extensive vaccination drives in the world on January 16, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world towards the end of 2019. People from all walks of life were affected by the disease, and medical experts worldwide worked relentlessly to discover a vaccine to curb the virus. While Pfizer and Moderna introduced new corona vaccines, India, too, was ahead in the race with its Bharat Biotech International Limited's Covaxin.

On January 16, 2021, India conducted one of the world's largest vaccination drives with Covaxin and Oxford University-AstraZeneca's Covishield. Our fight against the virus continues, and India's corona vaccine is undoubtedly a ray of hope in this battle.

To many of us, India's COVID vaccine may seem like returning to the old, everyday life without masks. But is this true? Does COVID vaccine translate to a mask-free life? The answer is no. Medical experts have stated that vaccinated people will still need to wear a mask.

Here's why.

The vaccine doesn't show instant effect.

The corona vaccine has two doses. Don't expect to get immediate immunity from the disease right after the first shot of corona vaccine. The first shot itself will need two weeks for the body to develop antibodies to fight the virus. The second dose of corona vaccine, India (Covishield), is administered only after four weeks of the first dose. This means that your body will need a couple of weeks to develop immunity to the virus.

There's no 100% protection from coronavirus.

The corona vaccine has been a breakthrough in fighting the pandemic. However, the clinical trials of the vaccine have been conducted in a controlled environment. Vaccine efficacy can only be determined in the real world when it's administered to people. Whether it's the corona vaccine of India, Pfizer or Moderna, the vaccine's efficacy rate reaches around 90-95% only after the second dose.

The vaccine doesn't provide 100% immunity from the disease. Besides, the vaccine storage also affects efficacy. It means that you may have a slight chance of contracting the illness despite being vaccinated.

Vaccination may make you an asymptomatic carrier.

Pizer and Moderna vaccine trials had found vaccinated people get the viral infection without the symptoms. This proves that vaccinated people can be asymptomatic carriers of the disease. Besides, the corona vaccine is injected into the muscle. If the virus enters your respiratory tract, the vaccine aids the body to develop antibodies to avoid the virus from entering your system.

However, the virus may still exist in your nose or mouth, and thus you may spread the disease to others through sneezing or coughing.

You may spread the virus to low-immunity people.

Continuing the above point, despite vaccination, you may still pose a threat to those who have not been vaccinated. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may avoid the vaccine. People who develop allergic reactions to the vaccine ingredients will also be instructed not to take the second dose. Besides, the vaccine trials didn't include people with chronic illness such as cancer and heart disease.

The efficacy of the vaccine on these people may not be certain. So, cancer patients and low-immunity people may get infected with the virus even from a vaccinated person. Hence, after vaccination, you should be wearing the mask to ensure you don't infect people who are not vaccinated or belong to the low-immunity category.

We are not yet closer to herd immunity.

The COVID-19 virus may eventually be curbed after we achieve the 'herd immunity'. This means a maximum number of people would require the corona vaccine for immunisation against the disease. However, we are still in the nascent stage of the vaccination drive. We still have miles to walk in terms of distributing and administering vaccines across the country.

You need to protect yourself and others from the new COVID variant.

A new variant of coronavirus has been identified and is claimed to be more contagious by the medical experts worldwide. If you are vaccinated but don't wear a mask, you may transmit the coronavirus's new variants to others. Hence, after vaccination, you need to wear a mask to avoid possible infections to yourself and others from the new strain of coronavirus.

The above reasons justify the need for people to wear a mask even after getting the vaccine. However, despite Government warnings and reiteration of safety guidelines, many people avoid wearing masks in public places. If vaccinated people travel without face covers, it can make it difficult for the Government to control the pandemic.

Hence, even if you take the corona vaccine in India, make sure you follow these safety measures:

• Maintain six feet of social distance from everyone
• Wear your mask when you step out of your home
• Clean your hands frequently with soap or hand sanitiser
• Avoid going to crowded places as much as possible

Till we receive guideline changes from the medical experts, it's best to not consider the corona vaccine as the permanent protection from the disease.

The term "cancer" strikes fear in the minds of most people. Cancer is a life-threatening health condition in which body cells starts to mutate and multiply uncontrollably, affecting standard cell mechanisms. As a result, the vilified cells start spreading to other body parts and damage the tissues, which may prove to be fatal in certain cases.

It's crucial to spread awareness about cancer, and it is equally important to stay away from cancer myths and misconceptions. The internet is flooded with misinformation related to cancer that can stop people from getting diagnosed on time and availing proper treatment. It can also trigger panic and contribute to social stigma and taboo that usually surrounds this disease.

In this article, we've tried to present cancer myths vs facts to make you more aware of this disease. So, here are some common cancer myths debunked by us:

Cancer Myth #1: Cancer means a death sentence.

One of the most common misconceptions regarding cancer is that it may prove to be fatal. However, this is not true in most cases. With modern medicines and advanced technology, cancer can be treated if detected during the early stages. According to the estimates, about 40% of cancer patients get cured and become disease-free within 5 years.

Cancer Myth #2: Cancer is a contagious disease.

This is another prevalent cancer myth among some people. However, the fact is that cancer is not at all a communicable disease. Unlike other contagious diseases, which are caused by the spread of virus or bacteria, cancer is caused by cellular changes in the body. It means that though cancer can spread within the infected person's body, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Cancer Myth #3: Cancer is hereditary.

Many people believe that if someone in a family gets diagnosed with cancer, his/her off-springs will also develop the disease. However, it's not entirely true. Although there is a possibility of cancer transfer due to genetic mutation, its chances are very narrow. In fact, only 5 to 10 per cent of cancer cases occur due to genetic mutation.

Cancer Myth #4: I won't get cancer as I have no family history of cancer.

As mentioned above, a genetic mutation can cause cancer in the off-springs, albeit very rarely. However, this does not mean that you will never get this disease if you have no family history of cancer. Cancer is caused by cellular changes in the DNA, which may be due to specific environmental and lifestyle factors such as excessive air pollution, exposure to harmful radiations, smoking, drinking etc.

Cancer Myth #5: Consuming sugar aggravates cancer.

Although studies have shown that cancer cells absorb more sugar (or glucose) than normal cells, there is no scientific evidence to prove that consuming sugar or sweet foods can aggravate cancer. Nevertheless, it's best to avoid a high sugar diet, as it can lead to obesity, increasing the risk of developing several types of cancer.

Cancer Myth #6: Surgery or biopsy may cause cancer to spread.

Many cancer patients undergo surgery to remove the cancer-causing tumour or biopsy to collect a small tissue specimen for laboratory testing. Although it's theoretically possible that surgery can cause cancer to spread in the body, the chances of this eventuating are meagre. Modern-day doctors are equipped with sufficient technology and medical procedures to prevent this from happening.

Cancer Myth #7: Negative attitude reduces the chances of recovery.

Though negativity is never a good thing, it does not reduce the chances of recovery for a cancer patient. At least, there is no scientific evidence to validate such a statement. It's normal for a person who has cancer to experience myriad negative emotions, including anger, frustration, sadness etc. However, by keeping a positive attitude, he/she can avoid stress during the treatment.

Cancer Myth #8: Cancer treatment will make you bankrupt.

Though cancer treatments are very costly, they will certainly not make you bankrupt if you plan your finances. Many NGOs and Government schemes can provide financial assistance to cancer patients and help them through difficult times.

You can also purchase a health insurance plan with a cancer cover to keep yourself financially secured. If you opt for an add-on cover, you may receive a lump sum amount, which can help tackle the astronomical treatment costs.

Cancer Myth #9: If I feel a lump in my breast, it's cancer.

If you feel a lump in your breast, it's not necessarily a tumour or cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation says, "Only a small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancer". However, it does not mean that you should ignore such conditions. In case you notice a lump in your breast, you should visit a doctor and get yourself checked.

Health is wealth - this is what we've grown up learning. However, many working women end up compromising their health due to stress at work or the constant effort to juggle home and office duties. As a result, many women are becoming victims of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension etc. That's why this International Women's Day, we thought of helping out by putting together a few helpful health tips.

In this article, we've listed tips for working women, which can help improve overall fitness and enhance productivity at the workplace. If you're a working woman, you do not have to disturb your busy schedule to follow these tips. All you need to do is make small adjustments to your daily lifestyle and habits.

1. Don't skip breakfast 

Working women may be hard-pressed for time in the morning, which may lead to skipping breakfast at times. However, a healthy breakfast with ample inclusion of fibre, protein and carbs is imperative. Also, breakfast is the first thing you eat in the morning, and therefore, it should be healthy and nutritious.

Ideally, your breakfast should include foods that can provide energy and also keep you full till lunch. For example, eggs, milk, oats, fruits, cereals, etc.

2. Avoid junk food

Working women may have very tight schedules with lesser free time. This means no time to prepare healthy snacks; ergo, eating junk food becomes common when hunger pangs strike. However, this can lead to health issues since they usually contain fewer nutrients and more unhealthy ingredients.

Hence, you must remove oily or sugary snacks from your daily routine. Instead, it would help if you switched to healthy snacks like nuts and dry fruits, roasted makhana, fruits, or homemade energy bars. This will help you maintain optimum body weight, and minimise the risk of several diseases.

3. Take breaks to stay active

Sitting for prolonged hours can have a detrimental effect on your body. Besides being bad for your mental health, it increases the risk of chronic health problems such as diabetes, and heart diseases. Hence, it's crucial to take breaks between your working hours and involve yourself in some physical activities to stay active.

For example, you can stand up during meetings or try a stand-up desk while working. You can take short walks with your colleagues at break time. Such activities will not only help you stay fit and healthy but also increase your energy levels leading to better productivity.

4. Drink lots of water throughout the day

Dehydration is common among office goers, who may forget to refill their bottles or sip on water throughout the day while working. However, dehydration can lead to headaches, poor digestion and other issues. Hence, drinking enough water is essential.

If possible, keep a bottle on your desk at work. You can also have other fluids like buttermilk, coconut water or energy drinks to increase your liquid intake. If you forget to drink water, you can try using a mobile app that gives you reminders.

5. Minimise your intake of empty carbs

Cookies, cakes, chocolates, chips, etc., are not suitable for regular consumption. This is because they don't contain much fibre or protein, just empty carbs. They will increase your blood sugar level by producing more insulin in the body, which may lead to obesity and diabetes.

Therefore, you should refrain from including excessive carb-rich foods in your daily diet. Instead, your daily diet should contain food items rich in proteins, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.

6. Follow an effective exercise routine

Exercising daily is a must if you want to stay fit. More so, if you're a working woman, you must never undermine the importance of exercising daily. It will keep you healthy, improve your overall stamina, and reduce the risk of developing several diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular problems. More importantly, it will improve the quality of your life.

Therefore, you must create an effective daily exercise routine for yourself and follow it without fail. Your daily exercise routine must include warm-up exercises along with strength training. If you feel comfortable with time, you can also include high-intensity interval training in your daily fitness regime.

Benjamin Franklin said, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." These wise words have improved our lives in many ways. But we can all agree that adhering to such wisdom and routine has become a lot more difficult in this fast-paced time. Despite getting exercise and following a healthy diet, people fall sick sometimes. Even in the absence of illness, sometimes a minor accident can also land someone in the hospital. And with the rising healthcare expenses, having health insurance becomes more important than ever in such scenarios.

In our ever-changing lives, nothing is permanent. We grow up, meet new people, events in our lives change, and with that, our needs change, demands change. When change is the only constant, why should the health insurance policy be the same? Should it not undergo a review? It should!

Now, if you have any doubts in mind regarding why you must review your health insurance plans annually, we will clear them out. Please keep reading.

1. Changing lifestyle

Over the last few decades, our lives have gradually become tech-dependent. However, the changes are happening at a tremendous pace in recent times. A global pandemic has disrupted our lives, forcing us to adapt to a sedentary lifestyle. A year-old health insurance policy may not suffice to deal with the present necessities in such a scenario. Therefore, reviewing your health insurance before the time of renewal becomes crucial.

2. Pre-existing diseases

When buying a health insurance policy, you must have noticed that there are waiting periods for some diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. These are called pre-existing diseases (PEDs), and the waiting period for these generally lasts 2-4 years. Within this period, the incumbent or the policyholder doesn't get insurance cover for that disease.

When you review your health insurance plan, it helps you learn and understand the pre-existing waiting period better. If you have been diagnosed with any such disease, you can notify your insurer about the same.

3. Changing life events

As time passed by, some of us grew up, and some grew old. You can probably look back in time and realize how much things have changed in your life. Major life events like getting married, becoming a parent, changing jobs, and changing cities, etc., demand a lot more than there is. For example, after marriage, the number of family members may increase.

The case is quite similar to your health insurance policy; it was probably enough a year ago, but now it's not. Therefore, before the renewal time, you should review your health insurance plan. You can add new members, such as a spouse or child, into your policy at the time of renewal.

4. Ensure adequate cover

As science progressed, the Indian healthcare system witnessed a rise in the use of advanced machinery. Rigorous research in medical science has invented technologies that can diagnose diseases at an early stage. However, such advanced treatments don't come cheap. Review your health insurance policy to ensure that it provides adequate cover, should you ever need them. For instance, you can look at the family health insurance, which covers modern treatments.

Not only advanced treatment, but the overall healthcare service has also become a lot expensive these days. Consider reviewing your health insurance policy before you renew it. It is vital to learn if your health insurance covers most diseases, whether the waiting period is less, or if the premiums are justified.

5. Grab the additional sum insured

Suppose you haven't made a single claim during your insurance cover period. In that case, you are more likely to get an additional sum insured (ASI) upon renewal of your health insurance policy. Every reputed insurance company follows this practice to incentivize the insurance buyer. Every year, you must review your health insurance policy to rip the benefit of ASI, which can go as high as 100% - 150%.

Failing to review your health insurance policy, you will not only lose out on your ASI benefits but may also end up going for a medical check up again.

6. New add-ons and covers

Insurance companies are launching new products and services every year to outperform their competitors. It means you can get improved services, new riders, better cover, etc., by paying the same or a little higher premium. For e.g. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance recently got upgraded with lots of new add-ons, including Air Ambulance, Worldwide Cover, etc. Only an annual review of your health insurance can get you the best deal.

Standing at this point in the article, we hope you have learnt the importance of reviewing your health insurance plans. Nonetheless, to help you further in the cause, here are some quick tips that you should keep in mind:

• Review the health insurance plan your employer provides you and ensure it offers adequate health coverage.
• Check the cost of critical medical care, e.g., treatment for cancer, heart diseases, fractures, childbirth, accidental cover, etc.
• Review the co-payment clauses.
• Check whether the insurance provider has a good claim settlement ratio for the last 5 years.
• Enquire about the network of cashless healthcare facilities, i.e., hospitals, diagnostic centres, etc.
• If you are going to live in another city, consider the cost of healthcare in the new city.

A record 2,16,828 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in India on 15th April, 2021. As a result, many states went into complete lockdown.

The spread of coronavirus during the start of 2020 wreaked havoc in the entire world. More than 100 million people got infected with the virus, resulting in the death of more than 2 million people. India was no different, with more than 10 million cases and around 1 lakh deaths due to coronavirus. India ranked third among the worst affected countries after the USA and Brazil.

When the coronavirus vaccine in India was launched on 16th January 2021, we all thought the pandemic days are gone and started to breathe freely. However, the joy was short-lived. The disease hit the country even harder in the form of the second wave of coronavirus. As a result, the number of coronavirus cases in India started going up rapidly, and this time the symptoms were even more severe.

As per the official records, as many as 2,16,828 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in India on 15th April 2021. This was the highest number of cases recorded in our country in a single day till date. As a result, many state governments, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi, and West Bengal, announced either complete lockdowns or night curfews.

A negative Covid-19 report obtained within 72 hours was also made mandatory by many state governments for air travellers from other states of India. This article explains how this second wave of coronavirus in India is different and more severe than the first wave. Continue reading.

First wave vs. second wave

The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in India is more rapid than the first wave during August to October last year. The cases have been rising at double the pace in the second wave of coronavirus in India. While it took 32 days for cases to rise from 18,000 to 50,000 during the first wave, it took only 17 days to rise from 18,377 to 50,000 during March 2021.

The total number of cases being recorded in a single day is also much higher during the second wave. During the first wave, the highest number of cases recorded in a single day stood a little over 1 lakh. However, the number of cases in a single day during the second wave has already reached the figure of 2 lakh, while many fear the worst is yet to come.

India becomes the second worst-hit country in the world

After the onset of the second wave of coronavirus, India overtook Brazil to become the second worst-hit country in the world. So far, the country has recorded around 1.4 crore Covid-19 cases, which keeps it only behind the USA (3.27 crore cases). India surpassed Brazil in terms of the total number of Covid-19 cases only in April 2021 after staying in the third position for several months.

When it comes to the total caseload, Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state during the second wave as well, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Kerala. Along with the number of active cases, the fatality rate has also gone up during the second wave of coronavirus in India. The death count on 14th April stood at 1,72,085 with 1027 new fatalities, the highest since 18th October 2020.

What's different during the second wave?

According to the experts, the rapid spread of coronavirus in India during the second wave is mainly because of two reasons – first is the presence of new homegrown variants and second is the absence of a lockdown. The laxity in preventive measures coupled with several mass gatherings across the country has resulted in a nationwide crisis.

Also, unlike the first wave, the surge in cases is restricted to only a few states during the second wave. According to the Ministry of Health, five of the worst-hit states cumulatively account for 80% of the fresh coronavirus cases in India. These states have started to witness a shortage of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, medicines, and even spaces in morgues and crematoriums.

Moreover, unlike the previous wave when the vaccine was in its initial stages of development, India now has two coronavirus vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. Even though we are far from achieving herd immunity against this disease, the ongoing vaccination drive can make a big difference in the fight against the Covid-19.

Are more young people getting infected?

Since December 2020, those below the age of 45 accounted for almost 60% of the new covid-19 infection cases in India. In Maharashtra, which the worst-hit state, people below the age of 40 accounted for approximately 48% of the cases recorded between January to March this year. Whereas, in Karnataka, 47% of those who tested positive between this period were aged between 15 to 45 years.

However, the death rate due to coronavirus is still the lowest among this age group. Almost 55% of those who died of this virus were aged 60 or above. There are also concerns about the children getting affected at a higher rate during the second wave. Experts believe that this may be because most people above the age of 45 have received vaccines by now and hence, may have become immune to the disease.

An SSY account can be opened by the parents or legal guardians of a girl child who is below the age of 10.

With an aim to address the declining sex ratio and increasing cases of sexual discrimination, the Government of India launched a social campaign known as "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" on January 22, 2015. The literal meaning of this campaign translates to, "Save daughters, educate daughters".

The main objective of this campaign was to achieve three main concerns:

• Stop gender discrimination and abolish the practice of female foeticide
• Ensure survival and optimum protection of girls in India
• Provide proper education and work opportunities to girls

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) was one of the Government's pet schemes launched under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. The main aim of this scheme was to help parents or legal guardians of girl children to raise corpus for their wedding and higher education. Keep reading to know more details of this scheme.

What is Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)?

As stated above, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is aimed at tackling two main issues associated with a girl child in India – her education and marriage. This scheme focuses on ensuring a bright future for girls in India by helping their parents build sufficient funds for meeting the expenses required for their higher education and marriage.

For this purpose, the Government of India introduced a particular deposit account known as Sukanya Samriddhi Account.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana details

Before opening an account under Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna, here are a few details that you should know:

1. Minimum and Maximum Deposit Amount- At the time of opening the account, a minimum of ₹250 has to be deposited in it. Once the account is opened, the beneficiary has to make a minimum deposit of ₹250 every financial year. Above that, he/she can deposit any amount in the multiples of ₹50. The maximum amount that one can deposit in a Sukanya Samriddhi Account during a financial year is ₹1.5 lakh.

These deposits can be made till the completion of 15 years from the date of opening the account. In case the beneficiary fails to deposit the minimum amount of ₹250 in any financial year, the given Sukanya Samriddhi Account will be treated as a default account, except if default is due to death of the parent or guardian who opened the account.

1. Duration of Account- The deposits under the Sukanya Samriddhi Account have to be made until the completion of 15 years from the opening date. The account gets matured after the completion of 21 years from the date of its opening. Post which, the maturity amount (accumulated corpus + interest amount) will be paid to the girl on whose name the account is opened.

Premature closure of a Sukanya Samriddhi Account is permitted under the following conditions:

• Death of the parent or guardian
• The girl child is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and needs medical treatment.

1. Documents Required- To open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account, an applicant can approach a post office or the Reserve Bank of India or a public or private sector bank such as ICICI Bank. Below are the documents that he/she needs to carry:

• Duly filled SSY account opening form
• Birth certificate of the girl child
• PAN card of the guardian/parent
• Aadhar card of the guardian/parent

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana age limit and maturity period

The parents or guardians of the girl child can deposit in her Sukanya Samriddhi Account on her behalf till she attains the age of 10. After the age of 10, either the parents or the girl child herself can deposit the amount and operate the account. After the girl attains the age of 18, her Sukanya Samriddhi Account has to be mandatorily operated by herself only.

Tax benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

A Sukanya Samriddhi Account is eligible for EEE or Exempt-Exempt-Exempt status under the Income Tax Act of 1961. It means that the deposits made under the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme, interest earned on these deposits, and the maturity amount are exempted from the income tax under section 80C of The IT Act.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana benefits

In addition to the tax exemptions, the following are some of the key benefits of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna:

• High-Interest Rate: SSY offers a higher interest rate compared to many other small savings schemes.
• Flexible Deposits: Allows flexibility in the amount and frequency of deposits, accommodating various financial situations.
• Government Backing: Being a government-backed scheme, it ensures the safety and security of the investment.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest rate 2025

As with other Government schemes, the interest rate for the Sukanya Samriddhi Account is decided by the Government and is revised every quarter. As of the financial year 2024-25, the interest rate for SSY is 8.2% per annum. This rate is subject to periodic revision by the government. The rate of interest offered on this account is higher than other fixed-benefit savings instruments such as Fixed Deposits, Recurring Deposits, etc.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana interest calculation

The interest on a Sukanya Samriddhi Account is calculated on a yearly compounding basis on the lowest available balance in the account between the fifth day and last day of the month. The actual interest earning is credited into the account after the end of every financial year.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana eligibility

A Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened by a parent or legal guardian of a girl child, below the age of 10. The beneficiaries can approach a post office or a bank (which offers this scheme) to open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account. However, do keep in mind that only one Sukanya Samriddhi Account can be opened for a single girl child.

It means that both the parents cannot open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account under the name of the same girl child. Also, these accounts can be opened for only two girls in a family as per the scheme rules. However, in the case of twins or triplet girls, more than two accounts can be opened by the parents or guardians.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana application form

To open an SSY account, follow these steps:

1. Obtain the Form:

   Available at authorised banks and post offices or can be downloaded from their official websites.

2. Fill in Details:

   Provide accurate information about the girl child and the parent/guardian.

3. Submit Documents:

   Include the child's birth certificate, proof of identity, and proof of residence of the parent/guardian.

4. Make Initial Deposit:

   Deposit an amount between ₹250 and ₹1,50,000.

5. Account Activation:

   Upon verification, the account will be activated and a passbook will be issued.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana vs PPF

While both SSY and Public Provident Fund (PPF) are popular savings schemes, they differ in certain aspects:

• Target Beneficiaries:

  SSY is exclusively for girl children, whereas PPF is open to all Indian citizens.

• Interest Rates:

  SSY generally offers a higher interest rate compared to PPF.

• Deposit Limits:

  Both have similar deposit limits, but SSY requires a minimum annual deposit of ₹250, whereas PPF requires ₹500.

• Maturity Period:

  SSY has a fixed maturity period of 21 years, while PPF matures in 15 years with an option to extend.

Investors should assess their financial goals and choose the scheme that best aligns with their objectives.

Conclusion

Now that you're aware of the Sukanya Yojana details, you can take the right step in the direction of securing your daughter's future. By depositing in an SSY account regularly, you can create a large corpus to fund your daughter's higher studies or marriage when she becomes ready for that.

Compared to other savings schemes like PPF, SSY offers a higher interest rate and long-term benefits. Additionally, investing in SSY alongside a health insurance policy for family ensures overall financial security, covering both future education costs and unexpected medical emergencies. A well-planned financial approach, including SSY and a health insurance plan, can safeguard your family’s future while securing your child’s dreams.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

The Covid-19 pandemic hit India in March last year. As a result, the nation went into a lockdown for months with strict social distancing norms in place. As the year moved towards its end, the situation began to improve, and the number of active cases started going down gradually. Finally, in December 2020, the Government of India introduced the vaccine for coronavirus, and in January 2021, it started the biggest vaccination drive to make its citizens immune to the virus.

During the first phase of the vaccination, healthcare workers and other frontline warriors, who helped fight the pandemic, got the vaccine shot. During the second phase, citizens above 60 and those above 45 with co-morbidities were eligible to get the vaccine. During the third phase, the Government extended the vaccination drive for all citizens between 45 to 59 years of age.

On April 22, the Government of India announced the fourth phase of its vaccination drive, in which people aged between 18 to 45 years would be eligible for the vaccine. As per Government guidelines, pre-registration on the CoWIN app or web portal is mandatory for everyone willing to get the coronavirus vaccine shot.

The registration for the fourth phase of vaccination started on April 28, and from May 1 2021, the eligible citizens can take the vaccine shot. So, in case you fall within the age group of 18 to 45 and haven't yet registered for coronavirus vaccination, you should do it without further delay. In this article, we will tell you how you can do so.

We've also listed valuable tips along with dos and don'ts for successful registration and vaccination. Continue reading.

How to register yourself for the vaccine?

You can register yourself to get your first dose of vaccine through the CoWIN app/website or through the Arogya Setu app. You can then choose a vaccination slot at a centre/hospital near you.

Steps to register yourself on the CoWIN app or website:

• Step 1 – Download the CoWIN app on your smartphone via Google Play Store or Apple's App Store
• Step 2 – Alternatively, visit the CoWIN website and click on "Register/Sign In Yourself"
• Step 2 – Enter your mobile number to receive OTP
• Step 3 – Enter the OTP your received on your mobile number and click on "Verify"
• Step 4 – Fill in your personal details such as name, age, gender etc. on the registration page
• Step 5 – Enter your AADHAR card number and verify it using UIDAI OTP
• Step 6 – Select your vaccination centre and schedule an appointment for any available date

Steps to register yourself Aarogya Setu app:

• Step 1 – Download the "Aarogya Setu" app on your smartphone. In case you've already downloaded the app, make sure it's updated to the latest version.
• Step 2 – Register yourself on the app using your mobile number and OTP
• Step 3 – Click on "Vaccination" tab
• Step 4 – Register yourself for the vaccine by proving your Aadhar card number and verifying it.
• Step 5 – Select your vaccination centre and schedule an appointment for any available date

Tips to follow while registering yourself for the vaccine

Be patient and do not panic

It was reported that due to heavy traffic, the CoWIN app crashed on the first date of the registration. You need to be patient in such circumstances and avoid panicking. Also, to maintain social distancing norms, only a limited number of appointment slots are available at a vaccination centre for each date. Hence, if you're not getting an appointment, don't fret. Wait for your turn, and you'll get it.

Avoid going to the vaccination centre without registration

As we have already mentioned before, online pre-registration is mandatory for all those willing to get vaccinated during the fourth phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive in India. Hence, if you have not done your registration, avoid going to the vaccination centre. Understand that this is for your safety; unnecessary crowding at such places can become dangerous.

Keep multiple options in your hand

When it comes to your preferred vaccination centre, you should not be adamant about a fixed hospital. If you are not getting an appointment at your preferred venue, you can check out at other centres in your vicinity. To know the list of vaccination centres in your locality, you can visit the CoWIN portal, select "Vaccination Centres", and enter your state and district, or simply enter your PIN code.

Don't fret if you miss your appointment date

In case you miss your appointment date for the vaccination due to some unforeseen circumstances, don't think that it's the end of the road for you. You can always reschedule your appointment by logging into the CoWIN app or web portal and clicking on the "Edit" icon below the Action column against registered individuals.

In case you need to move to another city, you can select an appointment at a vaccination centre located in that city as well. Do check the CoWIN portal before going to the vaccination centre. All relevant details regarding a vaccination centre, such as availability of the stock, price per dose, and compliance management, are mentioned on the CoWIN platform. Hence, before you go to the centre for taking your vaccine shot, it's advisable to check the CoWIN portal and make sure the centre is functional, and doses are available there.

Very recently, a thick blanket of smog engulfed Delhi and shot up air pollution in the national capital to hazardous levels. Air quality readings in the city reached alarming figures, surpassing the 1,000 mark on the US embassy air quality index. The World Health Organisation considers anything above 25 to be unsafe.

The above measure is based on the concentration of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, per cubic metre. These particles are smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter and particularly harmful, as they can infiltrate deep into the lungs and spread into other organs to cause severe health dangers.

The demands of daily life compels us to get out of our homes and expose our lungs to harmful pollutants. When their concentration reaches a critical level, it’s no longer safe to breathe outdoors. However, following few easy and affordable practices can help reduce the risk and beat toxic air in any city.

Predictive Outdoor Pollution Apps

Today, there are multiple sites and apps that give us predictive outdoor air quality reports. In early 2015, the Indian government had launched SAFAR-Air, country’s first mobile app to provide current and one to three-day forecast of air quality and related health advisories. The colour-coded system helps to easily comprehend the air quality, and decide on our outdoor plans.

Other apps that help monitor air pollution levels include Plume Air Report and Air Quality: Real time AQI. SatAQ’s website is a useful portal that provides information on air quality, and sources and causes of pollution.

The Right Respirator

Comfort masks made from cloth do not fulfil the purpose of adequate respiratory protection. Proper respirator masks make a seal with the face and have a filter that prevents contaminated air from entering the mouth or the nose.

When the levels of particulate matter touched disturbing levels in Delhi, it became crucial to get a respirator rated N95/N99/FFP3 or one which is ‘NIOSH Approved’, filtering out more than 95% of particles larger than 0.3 microns.

Critical illnesses are termed critical because they can significantly impact your lifestyle, impair your earning ability, and in the worst case, prove fatal. Factors that make critical illnesses even more dangerous are their potential to wipe out your entire savings, slide you and your family into a debt trap, and derail your life goals.

India is fast witnessing a rise in the number of critical ailments, the treatment of which is pushing many into poverty. Here are some of the major critical ailments and an approximate cost of their treatment in India.

Cancer

Slowly becoming a mass killer in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimates more than 17.3 lakh cases of cancer in India with more than 8.8 lakh deaths by 2020. A disease involving abnormal growth of cells, treatment of cancer is emotionally and financially challenging. In case the family’s principal breadwinner is diagnosed with the disease, the suffering is endless.

There are several types of cancer such as blood cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, etc. Treatment costs involve doctor visits, chemotherapy, medicine expenses and pre- and post-hospitalization expenses. A single drug can cost ₹75,000 to ₹1 lakh and a single chemotherapy cycle can cost anything between ₹1 to 2 lakh. Cumulatively, cancer treatment can go upwards of ₹10 lakh in India.

Heart ailments

Heart ailments have seen a significant rise in India in the last few years. According to a study, deaths due to cardiovascular disease rose by 34% between 1990-2016 in India. The study also found Ischemic heart disease and stroke to be the leading cause of death. Smoking, obesity, hypertension, stress, unhealthy food habits and high cholesterol levels are some of the primary reasons for heart ailments.

Congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary stenosis and mitral valve prolapse are some of the common heart ailments. Just like cancer, treating these diseases is an expensive affair. Though the cost of treatment varies, expenses can easily reach ₹3-5 lakh or even more. Follow-up visits along with lab and CT scans further inflate the medical bill.

Kidney diseases

According to statistics, 1 in 10 persons in India is estimated to suffer from some form of chronic kidney disorder. Nearly 1.75 lakh new patients suffer from kidney failure every year and need dialysis or kidney transplant. However, dialysis and kidney transplant are quite expensive. It’s estimated that only 3-4% of people get kidney transplant while only 20-25% can afford dialysis.

While a kidney transplant can cost anything upwards of ₹6.5 lakh, dialysis can set you back by ₹18,000-20,000 per month. Following a successful transplant, lifelong intake of steroids, supplements and immunosuppressants can further cost ₹5,000 per month. For a middle-class household, the expenses are quite high, and many may find it difficult to bear.

Liver Cirrhosis

Obesity-related disorders and intake of alcohol have boosted the cases of liver cirrhosis in India significantly. Around 10 lakh people are diagnosed with liver cirrhosis every year, which is the tenth most common cause of death in India according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Also, once diagnosed, there are very few chances of the disease reversal. Liver transplant is the only way to treat this disease, failing which the patient may succumb within 2-3 years.

Just like the above-mentioned critical ailments, liver transplant is quite expensive and can range anywhere between ₹10-20 lakh. While finding a donor in itself is a critical affair, there are several regulatory issues like authenticating paperwork which delay the process. Following a successful transplant, around ₹8,000-10,000 per month is required for immunosuppressants.

Alzheimer’s disease

With the fast ageing Indian population, the danger of Alzheimer’s gripping the Indian elderly looms large. According to the India Ageing Report 2017, the elderly population in India is increasing at a faster rate of 3%. The cost of taking care of Alzheimer’s can be upwards of ₹40,000 per month.

When tackling tensions of the everyday, it is easy to lose focus and forget about the only constant – life. Sometimes, you need to take a few moments in which you stop, contemplate and plan to take a turn to improve the quality of your life.

Trying to improve the quality of your life doesn’t always include making a major life change or even by completely revamping yourself. It comes with making small choices every single day and realising the goal with every small step. Here are some ways in which you can improve the quality of your life.

Sleep Right

People do not stress enough upon the importance of a good night’s sleep. Ensuring that you get at least seven hours of sleep every night boosts mood and performance, helping you feel better equipped to handle the stresses of your day.

Gratitude is Key

Whether it is writing down your blessings at the end of every day or simply paying more attention to the positive aspects of your life; when you start focusing on the good things, you invite happiness into your life, beginning the process to improve the quality of your life.

Get Organised

A lot of confusion and chaos can be avoided if you take steps towards organising your life. Decluttering by putting your priorities right and taking action upon them can be of great help. Get a journal, plan ahead, try and stick to your plans and get the most out of your day.

Invest in Yourself

We spend thousands of rupees on things like clothes, shoes, gadgets, homeware, etc. While they provide instant gratification, they do little to improve how we feel about our lives and ourselves. If we spend that time, money and effort into acquiring a new skill, creating something or helping someone, it is sure to improve the quality of your life and those around you.

Connect with Nature

An effective way of getting perspective on things and putting your life back on track is by making nature a part of your every day. Go for walks in parks, drive out of the city and take regular breaks into the wild. You will feel rejuvenated and more willing to take on new challenges.

Drop Negative Thoughts

It is easy to stay stuck in a loop of negative thoughts that make situations appear worse than they actually are. When feeling stuck, it is important to reach out for help to improve the quality of your life. It can be in the form of a phone call to your friend, words jotted down in a diary or listening to empowering music.

Learn Self-Worth

Being acquainted with your strengths can help in building confidence and push you towards bigger opportunities. Analyse your strengths, hone your skills and align work-life with your skill set. For example, if you have a knack at organising and handling stressful situations; get educated to improve your organisational skills and get yourself a job that pays for organising.

When you play at your strengths, you increase the feeling of self-worth and improve the quality of your life.