Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
- Quick Summary
- Benefits
- Eligibility Criteria
- Who is NOT Eligible
- Financial Assistance
- Premium Rates (Farmer's Share)
- Who Pays the Rest?
- Claim Payouts
- Documents Required
- How to Apply
- Online Process
- Offline Process
- Important Links
- About the Scheme
- What is PMFBY?
- Why Was It Launched?
- Key Objectives
- Latest Updates (2026)
- Comparison
- Common Mistakes While Applying
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) |
| Launched On | 13th January 2016 |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Ministry/Department | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Scheme Type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
| Beneficiaries | All farmers (landowners, tenants, sharecroppers) |
| Financial Assistance | Subsidised crop insurance — premium as low as 1.5% |
| Application Mode | Online (Portal & App) / Offline (Bank & CSC) |
| Official Website | pmfby.gov.in |
Benefits
- Extremely low premiums — Farmers pay only 2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for commercial/horticulture crops. The government subsidises the rest.
- No cap on claims — If crop loss is high, the full assessed claim amount is paid. There is no upper limit on payouts.
- Comprehensive coverage — Covers natural calamities (floods, drought, hailstorm, cyclone), pest attacks, disease outbreaks, prevented sowing, and post-harvest losses.
- Post-harvest protection — Crops left in the field for drying are covered for up to 14 days after harvest against cyclone, unseasonal rain, and cyclonic rain.
- Prevented sowing compensation — If you cannot sow due to bad weather, you can receive up to 25% of the sum insured.
- Mid-season relief — On-account payment of up to 25% of sum insured during the season for immediate relief.
- Direct payment via DBT — Claims are deposited directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- Voluntary enrollment — No farmer is forced to take insurance, including crop loan holders.
Eligibility Criteria
- All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas during the season.
- Both landowner farmers and tenant farmers/sharecroppers are eligible.
- Loanee farmers (those who have crop loans from banks) can enroll voluntarily — auto-enrollment is no longer mandatory.
- Non-loanee farmers can also enroll on their own.
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) can enroll collectively.
- Aadhaar card is mandatory for enrollment and claim settlement.
- Enrollment must be done before the season deadline — July 31 for Kharif, December 31 for Rabi (dates may vary slightly by state).
Who is NOT Eligible
- Farmers growing crops that are not notified for PMFBY in their district for that particular season.
- Farmers in states that have opted out of PMFBY (some states run their own crop insurance schemes — check the PMFBY portal for the current list).
- Applications submitted after the enrollment deadline are not accepted.
- Farmers who cannot provide valid land records or tenancy proof for the area being insured.
Financial Assistance
Premium Rates (Farmer's Share)
| Crop Type | Farmer's Premium |
|---|---|
| Kharif Crops (Rice, Maize, Soybean, Cotton, etc.) | 2% of Sum Insured |
| Rabi Crops (Wheat, Gram, Mustard, Barley, etc.) | 1.5% of Sum Insured |
| Commercial / Horticulture Crops | 5% of Sum Insured |
Who Pays the Rest?
The remaining actuarial premium is subsidised by the Central and State Governments on a 50:50 basis. For North-Eastern states, the ratio is 90:10 (Central:State).
Claim Payouts
- Prevented sowing: Up to 25% of sum insured.
- Mid-season adversity: Up to 25% of sum insured as on-account payment.
- Full crop loss: Based on the difference between threshold yield and actual yield — no cap on amount.
- Localised calamity: Individual farm-level assessment and payout.
- Post-harvest loss: Full coverage for 14 days post-harvest against specific perils.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked account)
- Land Records — Khasra, Khatauni, RoR, or Land Possession Certificate
- Sowing Certificate / Crop Declaration (self-certified)
- Tenancy Agreement (for tenant farmers/sharecroppers)
- Identity and Address Proof (Voter ID, PAN, etc.)
- Passport-size Photograph
- Crop Loan Documents (for loanee farmers only)
How to Apply
Online Process
- Visit pmfby.gov.in.
- Click on "Farmer Corner".
- Register as a "Guest Farmer" using your mobile number. Create a password.
- Log in and fill in your personal details — name, Aadhaar, mobile, age, gender.
- Enter bank details — account number, IFSC, bank name.
- Enter land and crop details — district, block, village, crop, area (hectares), Khasra/Khatauni.
- Upload documents — land records, sowing certificate.
- The system calculates your premium automatically.
- Pay the premium online.
- Download the policy receipt and save it.
You can also use the PMFBY mobile app for registration and crop loss reporting.
Offline Process
Through a Bank Branch:
- Visit the bank where you have your crop loan or savings account.
- Fill in the PMFBY form and attach required documents.
- Pay the farmer's share of premium.
- Loanee farmers can authorise the bank to deduct the premium from the loan account (written consent required).
- Collect the acknowledgment receipt.
Through a Common Service Centre (CSC):
- Visit your nearest CSC with all documents.
- The operator completes enrollment on the PMFBY portal.
- Pay the premium and collect the receipt.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | pmfby.gov.in |
| Farmer Corner (Apply / Check Status) | pmfby.gov.in — Farmer Corner |
| Premium Calculator | Available on the PMFBY portal under Farmer Corner |
| Crop Loss Reporting | PMFBY Mobile App (Google Play Store) |
| Helpline — Krishi Rakshak | 14447 |
| Helpline — Kisan Call Centre | 1800-180-1551 |
| Ministry Page | agricoop.nic.in |
About the Scheme
What is PMFBY?
PMFBY is the Government of India's flagship crop insurance scheme. It replaced the older National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) and Modified NAIS from Kharif 2016. The scheme is designed to offer affordable insurance to every farmer in the country, protecting them from financial ruin when nature damages their crops.
Why Was It Launched?
Indian farming depends heavily on weather. A single drought, flood, or pest attack can destroy an entire season's harvest. Before PMFBY, existing crop insurance schemes had high premiums and capped payouts, which made them unattractive to small farmers. PMFBY was launched to fix these problems — the premium is the lowest in India's crop insurance history, and there is no cap on claim amounts.
Key Objectives
- Provide affordable insurance to all farmers — especially small and marginal farmers.
- Stabilise farmer income by compensating crop losses promptly.
- Encourage adoption of modern farming practices by reducing risk.
- Use technology (satellite data, AI, weather sensors) for faster and more accurate claim settlements.
Latest Updates (2026)
- Kharif 2026 enrollment is open — deadline is 31st July 2026 in most states. The government is observing "Fasal Bima Maah" (Crop Insurance Month) from 1st to 31st July 2026 to boost enrollment.
- Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹12,242 crore for PMFBY.
- YES-TECH (satellite-based yield estimation) is now mandated for major crops like paddy and wheat, with 30% weightage in claim calculations.
- WINDS (Weather Information and Network Data System) provides hyperlocal weather data for automated claim validation.
- DigiClaim module is fully operational — claims are settled directly into bank accounts via PFMS.
- 72-hour crop loss reporting rule is strictly enforced.
- Kisan e-Mitra AI chatbot is available for multilingual support on crop insurance queries.
Comparison
| Feature | PMFBY | Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance (RWBCIS) |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Basis | Yield-based (Crop Cutting Experiments + satellite data) | Weather parameter-based (rainfall, temperature, humidity) |
| Premium Rates | 1.5% – 5% (same as PMFBY guidelines) | 1.5% – 5% (same as PMFBY guidelines) |
| Claim Trigger | Actual yield falls below threshold yield | Weather index deviates from defined threshold |
| Post-Harvest Coverage | Yes (14 days) | Limited |
| Technology | YES-TECH, WINDS, CCE, CROPIC | Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) |
| Best For | Farmers who prefer yield-based assessment | Areas where weather data infrastructure is strong |
Common Mistakes While Applying
- Missing the deadline — The Kharif deadline (July 31) and Rabi deadline (December 31) are strict. Late applications are not accepted.
- Not checking if the crop is notified — PMFBY only covers crops notified by the state government for your district. Always verify before enrolling.
- Assuming auto-enrollment — If you are a loanee farmer, enrollment is no longer automatic. You must give written consent to your bank.
- Not reporting crop loss within 72 hours — Delayed reporting can result in reduced claims or rejection. Use the PMFBY app for instant, geo-tagged reporting.
- Incorrect land or bank details — Mistakes in Khasra numbers, bank account, or IFSC codes cause processing failures.
- Not saving the policy receipt — Without proof of enrollment, you cannot pursue your claim effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PMFBY compulsory?
No. Since Kharif 2020, enrollment is voluntary for all farmers, including those with crop loans.
How much premium does a farmer pay?
2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for commercial/horticulture crops. The rest is paid by the government.
Is there a cap on the claim amount?
No. There is no upper limit. The full assessed claim is paid regardless of the premium you paid.
How do I report crop damage?
Report within 72 hours using the PMFBY app, the PMFBY portal, helpline 14447, or through your local agriculture officer.
Can tenant farmers enroll?
Yes. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers can enroll with a tenancy agreement or relevant proof.
Are post-harvest losses covered?
Yes, for up to 14 days after harvest — but only against cyclone, cyclonic rain, and unseasonal rainfall for crops spread in the field for drying.
What is the Kharif 2026 enrollment deadline?
The standard deadline is 31st July 2026, but dates may vary by state. Check pmfby.gov.in.
Which states participate in PMFBY?
Most Indian states participate. However, some states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Telangana have opted out at various times and run their own schemes. Check the PMFBY portal for the latest list.
Can I insure multiple crops?
Yes. You can enroll for different notified crops on different land parcels. Separate premiums apply for each.
How long does claim settlement take?
The government targets settling 80% of verified claims within 30 days. Actual timelines vary by state and the scale of the calamity.
Conclusion
PMFBY is India's most affordable and comprehensive crop insurance scheme, offering coverage from sowing to post-harvest at premiums as low as 1.5%. With no cap on claims, voluntary enrollment, and technology-driven assessment using satellite and AI tools, the scheme is designed to protect every farmer from the financial devastation of crop failure. If you are growing crops this Kharif season, enroll before 31st July 2026 at pmfby.gov.in or visit your nearest bank branch.
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