India is an agricultural country where millions of farmers depend on crop production for their livelihood. Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, pests, and storms often damage crops and create financial losses for farmers. To protect farmers from such risks, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

This crop insurance scheme provides financial support to farmers if their crops are damaged due to natural calamities. The scheme ensures that farmers receive compensation and can continue agricultural activities without financial distress.

In this article, you will learn everything about PMFBY Scheme 2026, including eligibility, benefits, premium rates, application process, claim procedure, documents required, and how farmers can apply online.

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What is PMFBY Scheme?

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a government crop insurance scheme launched 18th February 2016 to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in case of crop failure.

The scheme aims to stabilize farmers’ income and encourage them to adopt innovative agricultural practices. Under PMFBY, farmers pay a very low premium while the government pays the majority of the insurance cost.

This scheme covers:

• Crop damage due to natural disasters
• Crop loss due to pests and diseases
• Prevented sowing
• Post-harvest losses

Farmers receive financial compensation if their crops are damaged.

Farmers who want financial support for agriculture can also apply for
PM Kisan Yojana and Kisan Credit Card Scheme along with crop insurance.

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PMFBY Scheme 2026 Objective

The main objectives of PMFBY include:

1. Financial Protection to Farmers

The scheme protects farmers from financial losses caused by crop damage due to natural calamities.

2. Encouraging Modern Farming

By reducing financial risks, farmers are encouraged to adopt modern agricultural practices.

3. Ensuring Stability in Agriculture

PMFBY helps stabilize farmers’ income and ensures agricultural productivity remains stable.

4. Support Rural Economy

Agriculture plays a crucial role in India’s economy. By protecting farmers, the scheme also supports the rural economy.

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PMFBY Premium Rates

One of the most attractive features of PMFBY is its very low premium rate.

Farmers pay only a small portion of the insurance premium, while the rest is paid by the government.

Premium rates are:

Crop Type	Farmer Premium
Kharif Crops	2% of sum insured
Rabi Crops	1.5% of sum insured
Commercial & Horticulture Crops	5% of sum insured

The remaining premium is shared by the central government and state governments.

This makes the scheme affordable for farmers.

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PMFBY Eligibility Criteria

Farmers who meet the following conditions are eligible to apply for the PMFBY Scheme:

Eligible Farmers

• All farmers growing notified crops
• Sharecroppers and tenant farmers
• Farmers who have taken crop loans
• Farmers who want voluntary crop insurance

Important Conditions

• The crop must be listed under the scheme
• The farmer must register before the last date
• Land records must be verified

Farmers should contact local agricultural authorities for eligibility verification.

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Crops Covered Under PMFBY

The PMFBY Scheme covers various types of crops including food crops, oilseeds, and commercial crops.

Food Crops

• Rice
• Wheat
• Maize
• Millets
• Pulses

Oilseed Crops

• Soybean
• Mustard
• Groundnut
• Sunflower

Commercial & Horticulture Crops

• Cotton
• Sugarcane
• Potato
• Onion

Crop coverage may vary depending on the state government notification.

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PMFBY Coverage of Risks and Exclusions (Crop Insurance Protection)

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provides comprehensive insurance coverage to farmers against crop loss caused by natural disasters, pests, diseases, and other unavoidable risks. The scheme includes basic coverage and additional add-on coverage to ensure maximum protection for farmers across India.

Below are the detailed risk coverage provisions under the PMFBY crop insurance scheme.

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1. Basic Coverage Under PMFBY

The PMFBY crop damage claim under the PMFBY scheme protects farmers from loss of crop yield during the entire crop cycle, starting from sowing to harvesting.

The insurance coverage is provided on an area-based approach, which means crop loss is assessed based on the average yield of the notified area rather than individual farms for large-scale disasters.

The scheme covers crop losses caused by non-preventable natural risks, including:

• Drought and prolonged dry spells
• Flood and water inundation
• Cyclone and storm
• Hailstorm damage
• Landslides
• Natural fire caused by lightning
• Pest and disease outbreaks

These risks can severely affect agricultural production, and PMFBY ensures that farmers receive financial compensation for crop loss.

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2. Add-On Coverage Under PMFBY

In addition to the basic crop insurance cover, State Governments and Union Territories can provide additional coverage options depending on the risks faced in specific crops or regions.

These additional protections are decided in consultation with the State Level Coordination Committee on Crop Insurance (SLCCCI).

The add-on cover includes the following risks.

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2.1 Prevented Sowing / Planting / Germination Risk

Sometimes farmers are unable to sow crops due to insufficient rainfall or adverse climatic conditions.

Under this add-on coverage:

• If the insured area cannot be sown or planted
• Or if seeds fail to germinate due to weather conditions

Farmers can receive compensation for the loss of the crop season.

This helps farmers recover from early-season agricultural failures.

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2.2 Mid-Season Adversity

Crop growth may be severely affected during the season due to extreme weather conditions.

Mid-season adversity coverage applies when:

• Floods damage crops
• Severe drought occurs
• Long dry spells reduce crop yield
• Expected yield falls below 50% of the normal yield

In such situations, the scheme allows immediate financial relief to farmers before the harvest season ends.

This provision helps farmers manage their financial needs during difficult crop seasons.

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2.3 Post-Harvest Losses

Even after harvesting, crops can be damaged due to unexpected weather conditions.

Under PMFBY, post-harvest losses are covered for up to two weeks after harvesting.

This applies to crops that are typically dried in the field in a cut and spread condition.

The scheme provides compensation if crops are damaged by:

• Hailstorms
• Cyclones
• Cyclonic rains
• Unseasonal rains

This protection ensures farmers do not suffer financial losses after completing the harvesting process.

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2.4 Localized Calamities

Sometimes crop damage affects only specific farms or small areas rather than the entire region.

PMFBY provides coverage for localized calamities, including:

• Hailstorm damage
• Landslides
• Water inundation
• Cloudburst
• Natural fire caused by lightning

In these cases, crop loss is assessed at the individual farm level.

Farmers must report crop damage so authorities can verify the loss and process compensation claims.

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2.5 Crop Loss Due to Wild Animal Attacks

In many regions, crops are destroyed by wild animals such as:

• Wild boars
• Elephants
• Monkeys
• Nilgai

The PMFBY scheme allows optional add-on insurance coverage for crop damage caused by wild animals.

Key features of this coverage:

• It is optional for farmers
• Farmers pay a separate premium for this coverage
• State governments may provide additional subsidies

This coverage is especially useful for farmers living near forest areas or wildlife zones.

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3. Crop Insurance Risk Notification by States

State governments are responsible for notifying the following details for each crop season:

• Specific crops covered under PMFBY
• Duration of crop insurance coverage
• Applicable add-on risks
• Insurance premium rates
• District or block-level coverage areas

These notifications are also uploaded on the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) for transparency and farmer awareness.

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4. General Exclusions Under PMFBY

Although PMFBY covers many natural risks, some situations are excluded from the insurance coverage.

The scheme does not provide compensation for losses caused by:

• War or military activities
• Nuclear risks
• Intentional crop damage
• Preventable risks caused by negligence

These exclusions ensure that the scheme only compensates farmers for unavoidable natural losses.

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5. Crop Loss Assessment Process

The claim process under PMFBY depends on the type of calamity.

For Localized Calamities

If crop damage occurs due to localized events such as hailstorms or landslides:

• Farmers must report the loss immediately
• Local authorities inspect the affected farm
• Compensation is provided based on the damage assessment

For Widespread Calamities

If crop loss occurs due to widespread disasters such as drought or flood:

• Individual farmer claims are not required
• Loss is calculated based on area yield data
• The District Level Joint Committee (DLJC) conducts the assessment

Compensation is then transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account.

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PMFBY Crop Insurance Coverage Summary (Quick Overview)

Coverage Type	Protection Provided
Basic Cover	Crop loss due to natural disasters
Prevented Sowing	Compensation if crops cannot be planted
Mid-Season Adversity	Relief during severe seasonal conditions
Post-Harvest Loss	Protection after harvesting (up to 14 days)
Localized Calamities	Individual farm damage coverage
Wild Animal Attack	Optional insurance coverage

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PMFBY Information in Hindi

प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना (PMFBY) के तहत किसानों को प्राकृतिक आपदाओं से होने वाले फसल नुकसान के लिए बीमा सुरक्षा दी जाती है।

इस योजना के अंतर्गत निम्न जोखिमों को कवर किया जाता है:

• सूखा
• बाढ़
• चक्रवात
• ओलावृष्टि
• कीट एवं रोग

इसके अलावा किसानों को बोवाई न हो पाने, मध्य मौसम संकट और कटाई के बाद नुकसान के लिए भी बीमा सुरक्षा मिलती है।

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PMFBY Information in Gujarati

પ્રધાનમંત્રી ફસલ વીમા યોજના (PMFBY) હેઠળ ખેડૂતોને પાક નુકસાન સામે વીમા સુરક્ષા આપવામાં આવે છે.

આ યોજના હેઠળ નીચે મુજબના જોખમો આવરી લેવામાં આવે છે:

• દુષ્કાળ
• પૂર
• વાવાઝોડું
• ઓલાવૃષ્ટિ
• જીવાતો અને રોગ

આ ઉપરાંત પાક વાવણી ન થવી, મધ્ય સીઝન નુકસાન અને કાપણી પછીના નુકસાન માટે પણ વીમા સુરક્ષા આપવામાં આવે છે.

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PMFBY Benefits for Farmers

The scheme offers several benefits to farmers across India.

Financial Security

Farmers receive compensation in case of crop failure.

Low Premium

Farmers pay only a small percentage of the premium.

Government Support

The majority of the premium cost is covered by the government.

Easy Claim Process

Farmers can claim insurance through local authorities or the online portal.

Encourages Agricultural Growth

Farmers are encouraged to adopt modern farming techniques without fear of financial loss.

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PMFBY Application Process (How to Apply for Crop Insurance)

Farmers who want to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) can apply through online and offline methods. The government has made the process simple so that farmers from rural areas can easily register for crop insurance.

The application process can be completed through the following methods:

• Online Application
• Offline Application through Bank or Insurance Office
• Offline Application through CSC (Common Service Center)

Below is the detailed step-by-step application process.

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1. PMFBY Online Application Process

Farmers can apply online through the official PMFBY portal.

Steps to Apply Online

Step 1:
Visit the official PMFBY portal.

Step 2:
Click on the “Farmer Registration” or “Apply for Crop Insurance” option.

Step 3:
Enter the required details including:

• Farmer name
• Aadhaar number
• Mobile number
• Land details
• Crop information

Step 4:
Upload required documents such as land records and identity proof.

Step 5:
Pay the applicable crop insurance premium online.

Step 6:
Submit the application form.

After successful submission, farmers receive an application reference number which can be used to track the application status.

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2. PMFBY Offline Application Process (Bank or Insurance Office)

Farmers can also apply offline by visiting a participating bank branch or insurance company office.

Step-by-Step Offline Application

Step 1:
Visit the nearest participating bank branch or insurance office that provides PMFBY crop insurance services.

Step 2:
Request the PMFBY application form from the staff.

Step 3:
Fill in all required details in the application form including:

• Personal information
• Land survey number
• Crop details
• Area under cultivation

Step 4:
Attach required documents such as:

• Aadhaar Card
• Land records
• Bank account details
• Passport size photograph

If required, self-attest the document copies.

Step 5:
Submit the completed and signed application form to the bank or insurance staff.

Step 6:
Pay the applicable crop insurance premium at the office.

After submission, the bank or insurance office will issue an application reference number.

This reference number is used to track the application status.

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3. PMFBY Application Through CSC (Common Service Centre)

Farmers who do not have internet access can apply through Common Service Centres (CSC).

CSC operators help farmers complete the online registration process.

Steps to Apply Through CSC

1. Visit the nearest CSC center.
2. Provide Aadhaar and land details to the operator.
3. The CSC operator fills the PMFBY application form online.
4. Upload required documents.
5. Pay the premium amount at the CSC center.
6. Receive the application reference number.

This method is very helpful for farmers in rural areas.

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PMFBY Claim Status check online

After submitting the application, farmers can track their registration status online.

Steps to Track Application Status

1. Visit the official PMFBY website
2. Go to the Application Status option on the homepage
3. Enter the application reference number
4. Click on Check Status

The portal will display the current status of the crop insurance application.

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Documents Required for PMFBY Application

Farmers must submit the following documents when applying for the PMFBY crop insurance scheme:

• Aadhaar Card
• Bank Passbook
• Land Ownership Documents
• Crop Sowing Certificate
• Passport Size Photograph
• Mobile Number

These documents help verify the farmer’s eligibility and crop details.

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PMFBY Application Process in Hindi

प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना (PMFBY) के लिए किसान ऑनलाइन या ऑफलाइन आवेदन कर सकते हैं।

किसान निम्न माध्यमों से आवेदन कर सकते हैं:

• ऑनलाइन पोर्टल
• बैंक शाखा
• बीमा कंपनी कार्यालय
• CSC केंद्र

आवेदन के बाद किसान को आवेदन संदर्भ संख्या (Application Reference Number) दी जाती है जिससे आवेदन की स्थिति ऑनलाइन देखी जा सकती है।

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PMFBY Application Process in Gujarati

પ્રધાનમંત્રી ફસલ વીમા યોજના (PMFBY) માટે ખેડૂતો ઓનલાઇન અથવા ઓફલાઇન અરજી કરી શકે છે.

ખેડૂતો નીચે મુજબ અરજી કરી શકે છે:

• PMFBY વેબસાઈટ દ્વારા ઓનલાઇન
• બેંક શાખા દ્વારા
• ઇન્સ્યોરન્સ ઓફિસ દ્વારા
• CSC સેન્ટર દ્વારા

અરજી કર્યા પછી ખેડૂતને Application Reference Number આપવામાં આવે છે જેના દ્વારા અરજીની સ્થિતિ તપાસી શકાય છે.

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PMFBY Claim Process

If a farmer’s crop is damaged, they must follow the claim process.

Step 1: Inform Authorities

Farmers must report crop damage to the local agriculture department within 72 hours.

Step 2: Crop Damage Assessment

Government officials conduct field surveys to assess crop damage.

Step 3: Claim Approval

Insurance companies verify the damage and approve the claim.

Step 4: Compensation Payment

Approved claim amounts are transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account.

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PMFBY Official Website (Important Links)

Farmers can apply and check scheme details through the official portal.

Official Portal:
https://pmfby.gov.in

The portal provides:

• Online registration
• Claim status tracking
• Insurance details
• Farmer support services

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PMFBY Scheme Information (Hindi)

प्रधानमंत्री फसल बीमा योजना (PMFBY) भारत सरकार की एक महत्वपूर्ण योजना है जो किसानों को फसल नुकसान से आर्थिक सुरक्षा प्रदान करती है।

इस योजना के अंतर्गत किसानों को प्राकृतिक आपदाओं जैसे:

• बाढ़
• सूखा
• ओलावृष्टि
• तूफान
• कीट रोग

से होने वाले नुकसान पर बीमा सुरक्षा मिलती है।

किसानों को केवल 1.5% से 5% तक प्रीमियम देना होता है जबकि बाकी प्रीमियम सरकार द्वारा दिया जाता है।

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PMFBY Scheme Information (Gujarati)

પ્રધાનમંત્રી ફસલ વીમા યોજના (PMFBY) ખેડૂતોને પાક નુકસાનથી આર્થિક સુરક્ષા આપવા માટે ભારત સરકાર દ્વારા શરૂ કરવામાં આવેલી મહત્વપૂર્ણ યોજના છે.

આ યોજના હેઠળ ખેડૂતોને નીચે મુજબના નુકસાન માટે વીમા સુરક્ષા મળે છે:

• પૂર
• દુષ્કાળ
• વાવાઝોડું
• જીવાતો
• પાક રોગો

ખેડૂતોને માત્ર ઓછું પ્રીમિયમ ચૂકવવું પડે છે અને બાકીની રકમ સરકાર ભરે છે.

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Why PMFBY is Important for Indian Farmers

Agriculture in India faces several challenges including climate change, unpredictable weather, and pest attacks.

Without crop insurance, farmers may face severe financial losses.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana helps protect farmers by ensuring financial assistance when crops fail.

This scheme improves agricultural sustainability and helps farmers recover from unexpected crop losses.

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PMFBY Scheme FAQs