PM Fasal Bima Yojana: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

One heavy spell of rain at harvest, a hailstorm, a dry August or a pest outbreak can wipe out months of work and money in a few days. PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the Government of India's crop insurance scheme built for exactly these moments. Farmers pay a small, capped premium, and the Central and State Governments pay the rest. If a notified crop suffers loss from a covered natural risk, the claim goes straight to the farmer's bank account. This guide explains PM Fasal Bima Yojana eligibility, premium rates, what is covered, the documents you need, how to apply online or offline, how to file a claim within 72 hours, and what changed recently.

What is PM Fasal Bima Yojana?

PM Fasal Bima Yojana is a yield-based crop insurance scheme. It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through empanelled insurance companies. According to the PIB explainer on PMFBY (August 2025), the scheme protects farmers against non-preventable risks such as drought, flood, cyclone, hailstorm, pests and diseases. It follows the principle of "One Nation, One Crop, One Premium".

A few terms you will see on the portal and in your policy:

·        Notified crop and notified area. Each season the State Government notifies which crops are insured in which areas (insurance units such as a gram panchayat, block or tehsil). Only notified crops in notified areas can be insured.

·        Sum insured. The sum insured per hectare equals the Scale of Finance fixed by the district or state level technical committee, as per the PMFBY Operational Guidelines. Your sum insured = sum insured per hectare x insured area.

·        Threshold yield. This is the benchmark yield for your crop in your insurance unit. It is the average of the best 5 of the last 7 years, multiplied by the indemnity level (70%, 80% or 90%) notified by the state.

·        Actual yield. This is the yield measured through Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) and, increasingly, technology such as satellite data.

How big is the scheme?

The PIB explainer reports these figures:

·        78.41 crore farmer applications insured from 2016 to 2024-25 (as on 30 June 2025).

·        About ₹1.83 lakh crore paid in claims to 22.67 crore farmer applications.

·        Farmer enrolment up from 3.17 crore (2022-23) to 4.19 crore (2024-25), the highest since launch.

·        Non-loanee applications up from 20 lakh in 2014-15 to 522 lakh in 2024-25.

The PIB explainer also states that PMFBY is now the largest crop insurance scheme in the world by number of farmer applications.

PM Fasal Bima Yojana benefits: premium rates and who pays what

The biggest benefit is cost. The farmer's share is capped. The remaining actuarial premium (95% to 98.5%) is shared by the Centre and the State.

Source: PIB explainer, August 2025. The PIB explainer also notes that several states have waived the farmer's share of the premium. Check your state's notification to see whether this applies to you.

Worked example (illustrative)

Suppose your state notifies a sum insured of ₹50,000 per hectare for wheat (a hypothetical figure; your district's figure will differ), and you insure 1 hectare in the Rabi season:

·        Sum insured = ₹50,000 x 1 ha = ₹50,000

·        Maximum farmer premium at 1.5% = ₹750

·        If the insurer's actuarial premium is higher, the Centre and State pay the difference. You never pay more than ₹750.

Other benefits

·        Whole-season cover. Cover runs from sowing to post-harvest. It includes prevented sowing and mid-season adversity, not just the final harvest.

·        Direct bank transfer. Claims are credited electronically to the farmer's bank account through the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).

·        Penalty for late claims. Under the Digi Claim module, if a claim is paid late, a 12% penalty is added automatically from Kharif 2024 (PIB explainer).

·        Credit protection. For farmers with crop loans, a claim helps repay the loan instead of pushing the family into debt.

What risks does PMFBY cover?

The scheme covers four stages of risk. Knowing which stage your loss falls under tells you whether you must report it yourself.

Sources: PMFBY Revised Operational Guidelines, PIB explainer (2025), insurer summaries of the mid-season adversity provision.

New from Kharif 2026: wild animal attacks and paddy inundation

According to All India Radio News (18 November 2025), two covers apply from Kharif 2026:

·        Crop loss due to wild animal attacks is added as the fifth add-on cover under the localised risk category. States will notify which animals are covered and which districts or insurance units are vulnerable, based on past data.

·        Paddy inundation returns as a localised calamity cover. This mainly helps flood-prone and coastal areas.

For both covers, farmers must report the loss within 72 hours through the Crop Insurance App, with geotagged photographs. Whether these covers apply in your district depends on your state's notification.

What is not covered

The Operational Guidelines exclude losses from war and nuclear risks, malicious damage and other preventable risks. States can also leave out a peril that does not occur in their area. Read the "risks covered" section of your state's notification.

Who is eligible for PM Fasal Bima Yojana?

All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, who grow notified crops in notified areas can enrol. They must have an "insurable interest" in the crop, which means they own, lease or legally cultivate the land.

Loanee vs non-loanee farmers

·        Loanee farmers have a Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) crop loan or KCC from a bank, cooperative or PACS for a notified crop. The bank enrols them and deducts the premium from the loan account. Loans taken only against gold, FDs or mortgage, without insurable interest in the crop, are not covered.

·        Non-loanee farmers are farmers without a crop loan, or with non-standard KCC loans. They enrol on their own through a bank, CSC, insurance agent or the portal.

Is PMFBY compulsory for loanee farmers?

No. Since the revamp approved in February 2020 and applied from Kharif 2020, enrolment is voluntary for all farmers. Banks still enrol loanee farmers by default. If you have a crop loan and do not want insurance, submit a written opt-out declaration to your loan branch at least 7 days before the enrolment cut-off date for that season. Insurer and bank opt-out forms describe this rule. Some states add an OTP step. An opt-out stays in force until you apply to opt back in, so check your status every season.

Tip: If you have a loan but want to insure a different crop than the one in your loan papers, tell your bank in writing before the cut-off. The Operational Guidelines allow a loanee farmer to change the insured crop up to 2 working days before the premium-debit cut-off.

Documents required for PMFBY

Exact requirements are set by each state's notification. A typical list for non-loanee farmers:

·        Aadhaar card, for identity and de-duplication. Aadhaar capture has been mandatory since the 2018 guideline revision.

·        Bank passbook or account details with IFSC, in the farmer's own name. Ideally the account is Aadhaar-seeded.

·        Land record, such as a Record of Rights (RoR), khasra/khatauni or Land Possession Certificate, with the survey/khasra number.

·        Tenancy or sharecropping agreement, or another state-approved document, if you do not own the land.

·        Sowing certificate or self-declaration of the crop sown, where the state requires it (often issued by the Patwari or village agriculture officer).

·        Active mobile number, for OTP, policy SMS and claim alerts.

Loanee farmers usually need nothing extra, because the bank already holds their KYC and land details. Do confirm that the bank has recorded the correct crop and area.

How to apply for PM Fasal Bima Yojana online on pmfby.gov.in

The National Crop Insurance Portal (pmfby.gov.in) lets non-loanee farmers enrol themselves. Menu names can change slightly between seasons, but the flow is broadly as follows:

1.  Go to pmfby.gov.in and open Farmer Corner. Choose the option to apply for crop insurance yourself.

2.  If you are new, register as a Guest Farmer. Enter your name (as in your bank records), mobile number, address, category, farmer type (owner / tenant / sharecropper) and bank details (IFSC and account number). Verify with the OTP sent to your mobile.

3.  Log in with your mobile number and OTP.

4.  Select State, Season (Kharif/Rabi), Year and Scheme (PMFBY). Then select your district, insurance unit and crop.

5.  Enter land details: survey/khasra number, area to be insured and ownership type. If your state's land records are linked, some details may fill in automatically.

6.  Upload documents: land record, sowing certificate or self-declaration, and bank passbook, as asked.

7.  Check the premium shown. This is your farmer share. Preview the form and submit.

8.  Pay the premium online through the options shown (such as UPI, net banking or card).

9.  Save the application/receipt number and download the acknowledgement. You will need it to check status and to file a claim.

Farmer e-KYC on the portal

The portal's Farmer Corner has an option for Aadhaar-based farmer e-KYC or profile update. You enter your Aadhaar number, receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile, and submit. If your mobile is not linked to Aadhaar, a CSC can complete biometric (fingerprint or iris) authentication for you. Some states enforce e-KYC strictly, so finish it well before the cut-off.

Other ways to apply: bank, CSC, insurance company

Under the "Meri Policy Mere Haath" campaign, policy receipts are also handed out at village and gram panchayat camps (PIB explainer). Keep your receipt safe.

PM Fasal Bima Yojana last date: Kharif and Rabi cut-off dates

There is no single national last date. Each State fixes crop-wise and district-wise cut-off dates based on the crop calendar. The cut-off is the same for loanee and non-loanee farmers. As a general pattern:

·        Kharif: enrolment usually opens around April. In most states the cut-off has been around 31 July. For Kharif 2026, Odisha received extensions beyond 31 July, according to news reports.

·        Rabi: enrolment usually opens around October. Many states fix cut-offs in December, often around 15-31 December, and some crops have earlier dates.

Treat these as indicative only. The final date for your crop is in your state's PMFBY notification. For the current Rabi season's premium examples, cut-off and frost or hail claims, see our PMFBY Rabi registration guide for 2026-27, and track every scheme deadline in our month-wise agriculture schemes calendar. Ask at your bank, CSC or agriculture office, or check the portal. If you miss the cut-off, you have no cover for that crop for the whole season. Loanee farmers who want to opt out must act at least 7 days before the cut-off.

How to file a claim under PMFBY

Step 1: Know whether you need to report

Area-wide losses are calculated from yield data, with no individual claim needed. These include drought, widespread flood or pest attack, prevented sowing and mid-season adversity. Individual-farm losses, such as hailstorm, landslide, inundation, cloud burst, natural fire, post-harvest rain and (where notified) wild animal attack, must be reported by you within 72 hours.

Step 2: Report within 72 hours

Use any one of these channels:

1.  Crop Insurance app (official app of the National Crop Insurance Portal). Choose the crop loss option, enter your policy or application details, and upload geotagged photos of the damaged field.

2.  Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH) toll-free 14447. You get a ticket number to track the complaint (PIB explainer).

3.  Your insurance company, bank branch, or the local agriculture or district office.

Your intimation should mention the survey number, the insured crop, the affected area and the date and cause of the loss.

Step 3: Survey and assessment

The insurer appoints a loss assessor, often with a state agriculture official, to inspect the field. Keep photos, your premium receipt and land record ready. Do not clear or replough the damaged crop before the survey unless an official tells you to.

Step 4: How the claim amount is calculated

For yield-based (area) claims, the Operational Guidelines use this formula:

Claim = ((Threshold Yield - Actual Yield) / Threshold Yield) x Sum Insured

Illustration (hypothetical numbers): the threshold yield in your insurance unit is 30 quintals/ha, and the actual yield from CCEs comes to 21 quintals/ha. The shortfall is (30 - 21) / 30 = 30%. With a sum insured of ₹50,000, the claim works out to ₹15,000. Individual-farm claims (localised and post-harvest) are worked out from the assessor's survey of the percentage of loss on your field.

Step 5: Payment

Claims are credited directly to the farmer's bank account through NCIP, and an SMS is sent from the portal. PIB states that the scheme aims to process claims within two months of harvest. If an insurer delays payment, the Digi Claim system adds a 12% penalty automatically.

How to check PMFBY application and claim status

1.  Visit pmfby.gov.in and open Application Status (or the status option in the Crop Insurance app).

2.  Enter your receipt/application number and the captcha.

3.  View your policy, premium paid, and claim status.

If the status is wrong or a claim is pending too long, raise a ticket on the Krishi Rakshak helpline 14447 and note the ticket number.

PMFBY vs RWBCIS: what is the difference?

The Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) runs alongside PMFBY. The basic difference is how claims are calculated (PIB explainer).

A state notifies either PMFBY or RWBCIS for a given crop and area. Your notification tells you which one applies to your crop.

Recent changes to PMFBY you should know

·        Scheme continued to 2025-26. In January 2025 the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of PMFBY and RWBCIS until 2025-26, with a total outlay of ₹69,515.71 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26 (PIB explainer). Kharif 2026 enrolment went ahead in the states. Check pmfby.gov.in for the arrangement covering later seasons.

·        Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT). The same Cabinet decision created a fund of ₹824.77 crore for technology in claim assessment, such as YES-TECH and WINDS (as reported in coverage of the Cabinet release).

·        YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System based on Technology). Remote-sensing-based yield estimates get a mandatory 30% weightage for paddy and wheat from Kharif 2023, and soybean from Kharif 2024 (PIB explainer).

·        WINDS (Weather Information Network and Data System). This is a fivefold expansion of automatic weather stations and rain gauges at block and gram panchayat level, for hyper-local weather data.

·        Digi Claim + 12% automatic penalty. Claims are paid through a module linking NCIP and PFMS (from Kharif 2022). From Kharif 2024, a 12% penalty is added automatically on delayed payments.

·        ESCROW for state share. From Kharif 2025, states must open an escrow account and deposit their premium share in advance. This helps prevent claim delays caused by late subsidy.

·        Wild animal and paddy inundation cover from Kharif 2026, as explained above.

Common mistakes that lead to rejected or reduced claims

·        Crop mismatch. The crop actually sown differs from the crop insured. Update the insured crop with your bank or CSC before the cut-off.

·        Wrong area or survey number. Insuring more area than the land record shows (acreage discrepancy) can reduce the claim.

·        Missing the 72-hour window for hailstorm, inundation, post-harvest rain or animal damage.

·        Bank account issues. These include a name mismatch between Aadhaar and bank, an inactive account or no Aadhaar seeding.

·        Paying premium after the cut-off, or relying on an agent without getting a receipt.

·        Assuming the bank has insured you. Loanee farmers should check every season that the premium was debited and the policy appears on the portal.

·        Not checking the notification. Your crop may not be notified in your insurance unit, or your state may run RWBCIS for that crop.

Insurance is the safety net; good crop care is the first defence

PMFBY pays for losses you cannot prevent, and insurance does not cover preventable risks. Good agronomy lowers the chance of a loss in the first place. For the coming Rabi season:

·        Get your soil tested. A Soil Health Card helps you apply only the nutrients your field needs. Learn how to read your Soil Health Card, and read more on soil pH and nutrient lock, and why fertiliser may not work.

·        Treat seed before sowing. Seed treatment protects young plants from soil-borne diseases and early pests. Options include a bio-fungicide such as Trichoderma viride 1.5% WP bio-fungicide (labelled for wilt, root rot and damping-off), or a combined seed treatment kit for pulses like chickpea and groundnut. For chickpea, follow our guide to chana seed treatment to prevent wilt.

·        Act early on disease. In crops where it is recommended, a protective spray such as Copper Oxychloride 50% WP fungicide can help after unseasonal rain. Always follow the label dose and pre-harvest interval, and consult your local agriculture officer or KVK.

·        Choose suitable crops. Plan your Rabi crop mix with our list of Rabi MSP crop-wise rates.

Keep receipts and photos of what you apply. They also help during a claim survey.

Other schemes that work alongside PMFBY

·        PM-KISAN gives eligible farmer families ₹2,000 per instalment. The 23rd instalment was released in June 2026. As of early October 2026, the date of the PM Kisan 24th installment had not been officially announced. Our guide to PM Kisan 24th installment status, eKYC and payment fixes explains how to check and fix your status, and you can check pmkisan.gov.in for confirmed updates and your e-KYC status.

·        Soil Health Card, MSP announcements and subsidy schemes. Browse all our government schemes guides for farmers, including the agriculture schemes calendar and the PMFBY Rabi registration guide linked above.

Conclusion

PM Fasal Bima Yojana is one of the cheapest forms of protection a farmer can buy. You pay at most 2%, 1.5% or 5% of the sum insured, and the government covers the rest. To make it work for you, check that your crop is notified, enrol through your bank, a CSC or pmfby.gov.in before your state's cut-off, keep your Aadhaar, bank and land details matching, and report individual losses within 72 hours on the Crop Insurance app or 14447. Rules, dates and covers are notified by each state every season, so treat this guide as a starting point and confirm details locally.

Insurance protects your income; healthy seed, soil and crop care protect your harvest. For genuine seed-treatment products, bio-fungicides, crop nutrition and crop protection inputs delivered to your village, explore Katyayani Organics (katyayaniorganics.com) or order through the Krishi Direct app, and read our other farmer-scheme guides on the Katyayani Organics blog.