30/ Day*By clicking on You, Agreed to our Privacy Policy & Terms of use *Disclaimer
According to the Third Advance Estimates, India produced a record 376.56 million tonnes of foodgrains, which is 5.3% more than last year. This clearly signifies farmers' enhanced efficiency in crop production. Along with their dedication, government support through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has also played an important role in strengthening agriculture.
In this guide, you will learn what Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is, how it works, its benefits, eligibility, premium rates, coverage, claim process, and how to apply in 2026.
Key Highlights of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
| Key Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) |
| Launched On | 18 February 2016 |
| Launched By | Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government of India |
| Purpose | Provides financial protection against crop losses caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases |
| Farmer Premium | 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial & horticultural crops |
| Government Support | The Central and State Governments subsidise the remaining premium |
| Coverage Period | Covers crop losses from pre-sowing to post-harvest for notified crops |
| Risks Covered | Natural calamities, adverse weather, pest attacks, diseases, localized disasters, and specified post-harvest losses |
| Impact So Far | Over 56.96 crore farmer applications insured and Rs 1.54 lakh crore paid in claims (as of February 2024) |
What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-backed crop insurance scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare on 18 February 2016. It provides financial protection to farmers against crop losses caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
Under this scheme, farmers pay a small premium while the Central and State Governments bear the remaining cost, which makes crop insurance affordable and accessible.
Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
The PMFBY aims to:
- Financially support farmers when crops are damaged.
- Maintain a stable income for farmers.
- Encourage the use of modern farming methods.
- Ensure farmers can continue getting agricultural loans and credit.
- Support food security, crop diversification, and the overall growth of the agriculture sector.
How Does PMFBY Work?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) follows a simple process to provide financial support if crops are damaged.
- 1.Apply for the Scheme: Farmers can apply online through the PMFBY portal, at a Common Service Centre (CSC), or at a bank branch.
- 2.Pay the Premium: Farmers pay a small premium based on the type of crop:
- a.Kharif crops: 2% of the sum insured
- b.Rabi crops: 1.5% of the sum insured
- c.Commercial and horticultural crops: 5% of the sum insured
- 3.Crop Insurance Coverage: Once enrolled, the scheme covers crop losses caused by natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, and pest attacks. It also covers post-harvest losses in eligible cases.
- 4.Crop Loss Assessment: If crops are damaged, the authorities assess the loss to determine the compensation amount.
- 5.Claim Settlement: After the claim is approved, the compensation is directly credited to the farmer's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Government formulates the scheme and provides premium subsidies.
- State Governments select insurance companies for each district through a bidding process.
- Empanelled Insurance Companies issue policies, assess crop losses, and settle claims.
- Banks and Common Service Centres (CSCs) help farmers enrol in the scheme.
Who Can Apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
All farmers in India can apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), including:
- Landowner farmers
- Tenant farmers
- Sharecroppers
To be eligible, farmers must:
- Grow a notified crop in a notified area.
- Have valid land ownership or tenancy documents.
- Have an active bank account.
- Apply and pay the premium within the prescribed enrolment period.
- Not claim compensation for the same crop loss under another insurance policy.
What Risks Are Covered Under PMFBY?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) covers crop losses caused by the following risks:
- Weather Conditions: If adverse weather conditions prevent farmers from sowing crops.
- Natural Disasters: Damage caused by drought, flood, cyclone, storm, hailstorm, landslide, inundation, or other natural calamities.
- Pest and Disease Attacks: Losses caused by notified pests and crop diseases.
- Localised Issue: Crop damage due to hailstorms, landslides, cloudbursts, or inundation affecting a specific area.
- Harvest Losses: Damage to harvested crops kept in the field for up to 14 days due to unseasonal rain, cyclone, or hailstorm.
What Is Not Covered Under PMFBY?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) does not cover losses caused by:
- Non-payment of premium: Farmers who do not pay the required premium within the prescribed time are not covered.
- Crops in Non-Notified Areas: The scheme covers only the notified crops grown in notified areas.
- Loss due to Negligent Practices: Crop losses caused by improper care or failure to follow recommended farming practices are not covered.
- Losses Outside the crop season: Damage occurring before sowing or after the insured crop cycle is not covered.
- Uncovered Losses: Compensation is paid only when the crop loss qualifies under the assessment guidelines of PMFBY.
- Damage Beyond the Timeline: Losses reported after the prescribed time limit for claim submission.
How Much Premium Do Farmers Pay Under PMFBY?
Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), farmers pay only a small part of the insurance premium, while the Central and State Governments share the remaining amount.
| Crop Type | Premium Payable by Farmer |
|---|---|
| Kharif Crops | 2% of the sum insured |
| Rabi Crops | 1.5% of the sum insured |
| Commercial & Horticultural Crops | 5% of the sum insured |
How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Here are the steps to apply for PMFBY:
- 1.Visit the official PMFBY portal. Then go to the “Farmer Corner Access.”
- 2.Click Guest Farmer if you are a new user and complete the registration. Existing users can log in using their registered mobile number and OTP.
- 3.Fill in the application form.
- 4.Upload the required documents.
- 5.Review all the details and submit the application.
- 6.Pay the applicable premium online or through your bank, if required.
- 7.Save or print the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.
Documents Required to Register for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Here is the list of documents required to register for PMFBY:
- Aadhaar Card or any other valid Identity Proof
- Land Ownership Certificate (Khata/Khatauni/Patta) or Tenancy/Lease Agreement
- Bank Passbook
- Active Savings Bank Account Details
- Passport-size Photograph
- Mobile Number
- Crop Details (Crop Name and Cultivated Area)
Can You Apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana through Bank
Yes, farmers can apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) through their commercial bank, cooperative bank, or regional rural bank. Visit the nearest branch with your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, land records or tenancy documents, and crop details. The bank will help you complete the application and collect the applicable premium.
The empanelled insurers include:
- Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC)
- ICICI Lombard General Insurance
- HDFC ERGO General Insurance
- IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance
- Cholamandalam MS General Insurance
- Bajaj Allianz General Insurance
- Reliance General Insurance
- Future Generali India Insurance
- Tata AIG General Insurance
- SBI General Insurance
- Universal Sompo General Insurance
Note: The insurance company under PMFBY is decided by the respective state government through a tender process for each crop season. Farmers can check the assigned insurer on the PMFBY portal, at their bank, or with the local agriculture department.
How to Claim PMFBY Insurance?
If your crop is damaged, follow these steps to file a claim under PMFBY:
- 1.Report the Crop Loss: Inform the insurance company, bank, agriculture department, or PMFBY toll-free helpline within the prescribed time.
- 2.Submit the Required Documents: Provide the claim form along with supporting documents, such as proof of crop loss and other required evidence.
- 3.Loss Assessment: The insurance company appoints a loss assessor. He inspects the crop damage with the farmer.
- 4.Claim Verification: The insurance company verifies the survey report and determines the eligible claim amount based on the assessed crop loss.
- 5.Claim Settlement: After claim approval and fulfillment of all requirements, the compensation amount is credited to the farmer's registered bank account.
How to Check PMFBY Application and Claim Status?
Follow these steps to check your PMFBY application or claim status:
- 1.Visit the official PMFBY portal.
- 2.Click the Application Status option.
- 3.Enter your Policy Number and Captcha.
- 4.Click Submit.
- 5.Your application or claim status will appear on the screen.
Important Timelines Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Kharif Crop Registration | Up to 31 July (varies by state) |
| Rabi Crop Registration | Up to 31 December (varies by state) |
| Report Post-Harvest Crop Loss | Within 48 hours of the loss |
| Appointment of Loss Assessor | Within 48 hours of receiving the loss report |
| Loss Assessment | Completed within the next 10 days |
| Claim Settlement (Post-Harvest Loss) | Within 15 days after the loss assessment (subject to receipt of the premium subsidy) |
| Post-Harvest Loss Coverage | Covers crop losses occurring within 14 days after harvesting |
| Settlement of Prevented Sowing Claims | Generally within 30 days after the state government declares the affected area eligible for the claim |
Latest Updates in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
On 17 March 2026, the Government of India announced key changes to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to improve transparency, accountability, and faster claim settlement. The major updates include:
- 21-Day Claim Settlement: Insurance companies must settle eligible crop insurance claims within 21 days.
- 12% Interest on Delays: If an insurance company delays claim settlement beyond 21 days, it must pay 12% annual interest to the affected farmers.
- State Government Accountability: State governments will also have to pay 12% interest if delays on their part hold up the claim settlement process.
- Krishi Rakshak Portal: Farmers can now register complaints related to delayed or pending claims through the Krishi Rakshak Portal.
Conclusion
To conclude, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-backed crop insurance scheme that reduces financial losses caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
With affordable premium rates, wide risk coverage, and direct claim settlement, the scheme provides financial support to farmers in continuing their agricultural activities. Farmers who grow notified crops should enrol within the prescribed timeline to take full advantage of the scheme.
FAQs
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government crop insurance scheme that protects farmers from financial losses caused by natural disasters, pests, and diseases.
All eligible landowner farmers, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers growing notified crops in notified areas can apply for PMFBY.
You can apply online through the PMFBY portal or offline at a bank branch, Common Service Centre (CSC), or other authorised centres.
Farmers pay 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops. The remaining premium is paid by the Central and State Governments.
PMFBY covers notified food crops, oilseeds, and commercial or horticultural crops grown in notified areas.
Visit the official PMFBY portal, open the Application Status section, enter your application or policy details, and click Submit to view the status.
Report the crop loss to your insurance company, bank, or agriculture department within the prescribed time so that the claim process can begin.
PMFBY is implemented in many states and Union Territories. However, participation and notified crops can vary by state and crop season.
2094*By clicking on You, Agreed to our Privacy Policy & Terms of use *Disclaimer
- 5.5 CrRegistered Consumers
- 50+Insurance Partners
- 3.4 CrPolicies Sold
