The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, is a government-backed crop insurance scheme designed to safeguard farmers against financial losses due to crop failure.
Also known as Fasal Bima Yojana or Pasalu Bima Yojana, it provides comprehensive risk coverage and financial stability to farmers affected by natural calamities, pests, or diseases. The scheme ensures that farmers can recover quickly and continue agricultural activities without falling into debt.
As part of the Union Budget 2026–27, the Government of India has continued its financial support for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with an allocation of ₹12,200 crore in the Budget Estimates for 2026-27. This allocation is broadly in line with last year’s provision, indicating sustained fiscal support for crop insurance under PMFBY.
The Union Budget 2026–27 introduced Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources), a multilingual AI platform designed to integrate agricultural digital tools and data ecosystems to support farmers with customised advisory services and improve access to schemes like PMFBY. This initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and transparency of agricultural support services, including insurance assistance.
Source - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?ModuleId=3&NoteId=157351&id=157351
Before the launch of PMFBY, India had multiple crop insurance schemes such as NAIS, MNAIS, and the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS). However, these faced issues like low claim settlement speed, limited coverage, and low farmer participation. To overcome these challenges and create a comprehensive, farmer-friendly insurance model, the government introduced PMFBY as the flagship scheme to strengthen farmer livelihoods and enhance insurance penetration.
The PMFBY scheme aims to minimise the impact of crop failure, ensure long-term sustainability in farming, and enhance the economic resilience of rural communities.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offers comprehensive coverage to protect farmers against a wide range of agricultural risks. It ensures that both small and large-scale farmers benefit from reliable crop insurance through the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme, helping them maintain financial stability in case of losses.
The scheme covers a wide variety of crops across India, including:
cereals, millets, and pulses.
such as groundnut, mustard, and soybean.
including cotton, sugarcane, potato, and other region-specific crops.
The PM Fasal Bima Yojana covers multiple stages of crop growth and related risks through a mix of area-based and individual farm-level assessments:
For standing crops (from sowing to harvest) against natural disasters like drought, flood, cyclone, landslide, pest attacks, and diseases.
Providing compensation when farmers cannot sow due to adverse weather.
For partial losses due to severe weather during the crop cycle.
For crops damaged by cyclones, unseasonal rains, or hailstorms within 14 days of harvest.
For damage caused by isolated events such as landslides, hailstorms, or inundation.
For crop damage caused by wild animals, depending on state government approval.
The Government has updated the operational framework of PMFBY to cover additional localised risks that farmers have traditionally faced but were inadequately insured.
Crop losses caused by wild animal depredation (e.g., elephants, wild boars, nilgai, deer) are now recognised as a distinct add-on cover under localised calamities. States will notify the list of such animals and vulnerable areas where this cover applies.
Paddy inundation (flooding and submergence) has been reintroduced under localised calamity cover, particularly for regions prone to floods and waterlogging. This was previously excluded but reinstated to close the protection gap for affected farmers.
These changes are part of revised operational modalities under PMFBY and are scheduled to be implemented from the Kharif 2026 season onwards.
Source - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2191224
Under PMFBY, indemnity levels are designed to match varying risk profiles of crops and regions:
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) extends insurance benefits to all farmers cultivating notified crops in designated areas during a notified season.
Those who have taken seasonal agricultural loans (SAO) or crop loans from banks are automatically covered under PMFBY for the notified crops.
Farmers without loans can also voluntarily enrol by paying the prescribed premium via the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal.
Coverage is available for notified food crops, oilseeds, and annual commercial or horticultural crops approved by the respective state or UT government.
The scheme applies only to notified areas declared eligible by the state government.
A valid Aadhaar number is mandatory for enrolment, enabling farmers to easily track their PMFBY status, PMFBY insurance claim status, and PMFBY status by Aadhaar card.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) offers two distinct types of policies to ensure comprehensive crop insurance coverage for all categories of farmers based on their financial engagement with agricultural institutions.
Applicable to loanee farmers who have taken seasonal agricultural or crop loans from financial institutions. These farmers are automatically enrolled under PMFBY for all notified crops grown in the season, ensuring seamless coverage.
Designed for non-loanee farmers, this policy allows voluntary enrolment by paying a nominal premium through the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal. Farmers can self-register, verify details with their Aadhaar number, and track their PMFBY status and PMFBY insurance claim status online.
The key difference between the two lies in enrolment and eligibility. Compulsory policies automatically cover farmers linked to agricultural loans, ensuring default protection. In contrast, voluntary policies empower non-loanee farmers to opt in proactively, offering flexibility and wider inclusion under the Fasal Bima Yojana or Pasalu Bima Yojana.
| Crop / Season | Farmer’s Premium Share | Government Subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| Kharif Crops (e.g., paddy, maize, soybean) | 2% of the sum insured | Balance premium shared equally (50:50) by Central and State Governments |
| Rabi Crops (e.g., wheat, barley, gram) | 1.5% of the sum insured | Balance premium shared equally (50:50) by Central and State Governments |
| Annual Commercial / Horticultural Crops (e.g., cotton, sugarcane, potato) | 5% of the sum insured | Balance premium shared equally (50:50) by Central and State Governments |
Note: For farmers in North-Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, the government provides a 100% premium subsidy, ensuring full coverage under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme.
The PMFBY operates as a structured crop insurance programme that protects farmers from financial losses due to crop failure. It functions through a coordinated system involving farmers, banks, insurance companies, and government authorities under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme and operates in this way:
Farmers can enrol under PMFBY either compulsorily (for loanee farmers) or voluntarily (for non-loanee farmers) through their bank or the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal. Aadhaar verification is required for registration.
Farmers pay a nominal premium—2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial or horticultural crops—while the rest is subsidised by the government.
The government notifies eligible crops and geographical areas each season. Insurance coverage is provided based on these notified regions and crop types.
If a natural calamity, pest attack, or disease affects the crop, loss is assessed using area-based or individual farm-level evaluations.
Based on the difference between threshold yield and actual yield, compensation is calculated and transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account. Farmers can track their PMFBY insurance claim status and PMFBY status by Aadhaar card online.
The entire process—from enrollment to claim settlement—is digitised through the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal, ensuring transparency and timely disbursal of benefits under the Fasal Bima Yojana or Pasalu Bima Yojana.
Farmers can enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) through both online and offline methods. The aim is to make crop insurance accessible, transparent, and easy to apply for all farmers under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme.
The online registration can be completed through the official PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal, which provides a seamless digital interface for farmers.
Go to PMFBY official website
Click on the ‘Farmer Corner’ option and select ‘Guest Farmer’ or ‘Registered Farmer’ depending on your status.
For first-time users, create an account using your Aadhaar number, mobile number, and bank details.
Select your state, district, block, season (Kharif/Rabi), and the notified crop you wish to insure.
Attach scanned copies of your Aadhaar card, land ownership documents or lease papers, and bank passbook.
Pay the required PMFBY premium (1.5%, 2%, or 5% as applicable) online through net banking, UPI, or debit card.
Once submitted, you’ll receive an acknowledgement receipt with your PMFBY application number for tracking your PMFBY status or PMFBY insurance claim status.
Farmers who prefer offline registration can apply through:
To apply for the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), farmers must provide certain documents for identity verification, land ownership proof, and claim processing:
Mandatory for farmer identification and Aadhaar-based verification on the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal.
For linking the insurance policy to the farmer’s account and enabling direct transfer of compensation.
To verify ownership or cultivation rights over the insured land.
Required for tenants or sharecroppers to prove authorised cultivation rights.
Such as PAN card, Voter ID, or Driving Licence for personal verification.
For identity verification in the registration form.
As proof of residence and family identity (if applicable).
As additional proof of address and identity.
To confirm legal permission for cultivation on rented farmland.
PMFBY provides a transparent and time-bound process for farmers to report crop losses and receive compensation. Claims can be filed for various types of damages under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme.
Farmers must report any crop loss within 72 hours of occurrence to ensure prompt claim assessment. Losses can be reported through:
Once reported, the loss is verified by the joint field team comprising representatives from the insurance company, agriculture department, and local officials.
Following are the claims under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:
All verified claims are processed and transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account within two months of receiving yield data or loss assessment reports. Farmers can track their claim progress and PMFBY insurance claim status anytime on the PM Fasal Bima Yojana Portal or by using their Aadhaar number.
Farmers can easily register, manage policies, and track claim status through the official PMFBY online portal.
The PMFBY is a vital initiative that safeguards farmers’ income and supports sustainable agriculture through risk protection and financial security.
Compensates farmers for crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
Promotes the use of advanced farming methods by reducing financial risks.
Provides quick and structured claim settlements to help farmers recover faster.
Enhances financial stability and confidence among rural farming communities.
Acts as a safety net, reducing the uncertainty associated with agricultural production.
PMFBY is a government-backed crop insurance scheme launched in 2016 to provide financial support to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
The scheme covers all food crops (cereals and pulses), oilseeds, and commercial/horticultural crops notified by the respective state governments.
All farmers, including loanee (those with crop loans) and non-loanee farmers growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible to enrol under PMFBY.
Farmers pay 2% of the sum insured for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for annual commercial or horticultural crops. The remaining premium is subsidised by the government.
Visit the official PMFBY portal https://pmfby.gov.in, select the “Application Status” option, and enter your Aadhaar number or registration ID to check your policy status.
The scheme covers risks like prevented sowing, mid-season adversity, post-harvest losses, localised calamities, and widespread natural disasters such as drought, flood, or cyclone.
Farmers can log in to the PMFBY portal using their registered details or visit their bank or insurance company branch to get claim status updates.
PMFBY has been voluntary for all farmers since 2020, allowing them to opt in based on their crop and location.
Detailed information, updates, and enrolment options are available on the official website - https://pmfby.gov.in
Yes, tenant and sharecropper farmers can apply if they can show valid proof of cultivation, such as a lease or cultivation certificate.
Yes, PMFBY covers post-harvest losses caused by unseasonal rain or hail for up to 14 days after harvest.
Farmers pay a fixed share (2% for Kharif crops), and the rest of the premium is jointly subsidised by the Central and State Governments.
Yes, farmers can receive up to 25% of the insured sum under the prevented sowing provision.
Apple coverage and premium rates depend on the state’s PMFBY notification; check with your local agriculture office.
Yes, localised calamities like landslides are covered if the loss is verified and reported on time.
Claims are generally settled within 2–3 months after assessment and verification.
It’s automatic for loanee farmers unless they opt out in writing before the due date.
The policy becomes invalid if payment isn’t completed; contact your insurer immediately to report the issue.
No, you can renew using the same registration unless your land or crop details have changed.
Delays can impact claims, but genuine reasons with proof (like medical records) are usually considered.
Review all details before submission and keep a copy of the filled form and payment receipt.
You can file a complaint with the District-level Grievance Committee for reassessment within the allowed time (7 days).
No, animal damages are excluded unless your state provides additional cover for them, and if you can prove that the fire was not caused due to negligence, PMFBY covers crop damage.
