Short answer
Under the old regime, life premium counts under 80C, up to ₹1,50,000 a year shared with PF, PPF and the rest. Health premium counts under 80D, up to ₹25,000 for self, spouse and children, or ₹50,000 if a senior citizen, and the same again for parents. The new regime gives neither.
The limits
| Deduction | Limit |
|---|---|
| 80C, life premium with PF, PPF and other items | ₹1,50,000 in all |
| 80D, self, spouse and dependent children | ₹25,000, or ₹50,000 if a senior citizen |
| 80D, parents | ₹25,000, or ₹50,000 if a senior citizen |
| Preventive health check-up | Up to ₹5,000, inside the limits above |
| Medical bills of a senior citizen with no health insurance | Up to ₹50,000 per group |
A worked example
| Item | Paid | Can be claimed |
|---|---|---|
| Life premium, with ₹1,20,000 of other 80C already used | ₹60,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Health premium: self, spouse, children | ₹30,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Health premium and check-up: senior citizen parents | ₹43,000 | ₹43,000 |
| Total deduction | ₹98,000 |
Only ₹30,000 of 80C room is left, so only that much of the life premium counts. The self group hits its ₹25,000 limit. These figures come from the same function as the tax saving tool.
This is the amount that can be claimed, not the tax saved. The tax depends on the client's income and slab, which is a question for a tax adviser.
The section numbers are changing
The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 01-04-2026. Returns for FY 2025-26 still use the old Act. Press reports say 80C becomes section 123 and secondary sources give new numbers for 80D, but we have not checked these against the Act, so this guide keeps the names 80C and 80D. Those reports say the limits are unchanged.
What this guide leaves out
Conditions on how large a life premium can be against the sum assured, and the tax treatment of maturity proceeds, were not researched. So nothing here says a maturity is tax-free.
Common questions
Can I claim 80C or 80D under the new tax regime?
No. The Income Tax Department lists them only under the old regime.
Is the ₹5,000 health check-up on top of the 80D limit?
No. It sits inside the limits, not on top of them.
Do parents have a separate 80D limit?
Yes. ₹25,000, or ₹50,000 if a senior citizen, on top of the self, spouse and children group.
Is the life premium limit only for insurance?
No. The ₹1,50,000 is shared with PF, tuition fees and other 80C items.
Sources
- Income Tax Department: which return applies, with the deductions in each regime Official. Opened again on 08-11-2026.
- ClearTax on section 115BAC, the new tax regime Secondary source, agrees with the Income Tax Department page.
- Business Today, 24-03-2026: section 80C becomes section 123 from 1 April 2026 Press report. Not checked against the text of the Act.
- TaxGuru: Chapter VI-A deductions reorganised in the Income-tax Act, 2025 Secondary source. Not checked against the text of the Act.
Last checked 08-11-2026. General information for agents, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change: the insurer's documents and the regulator's current text decide.
