Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Benefits, How to Apply, Documents & More

11^th Dec 2025...

Published By : Team 811

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Latest News (2025)

PMFBY continues as the central crop-insurance programme run by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare.
Many states are using satellite imagery, drones and mobile apps for faster loss assessment.
Timely claim settlement remains a focus: implementing agencies aim to process claim payments within two months of harvest/assessment wherever possible.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Key Takeaways

Provides affordable PMFBY crop insurance to protect farmers from yield, post-harvest and localised calamity losses.
Farmer premium caps: Kharif food and oilseeds - 2%, Rabi food and oilseeds - 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural crops - 5% of sum insured; the Centre and State subsidise the rest.
Coverage includes standing-crop yield loss, prevented sowing, post-harvest losses (up to 14 days for cut and spread) and localised calamities on an individual farm basis.
Eligibility includes all farmers (including tenant farmers, sharecroppers and loanee/non-loanee farmers) growing notified crops in notified areas.
Enrolment can be done online via the PMFBY portal, through banks, or at CSCs; keep receipts and application references for tracking.

The Government of India has this flagship crop-insurance programme for tenant and sharecropper farmers. The date of launch was on 18 February 2016. The crop insurance scheme has a simple purpose: to stabilise farmer incomes. And it protects cultivators from production risks caused by natural calamities, pests and diseases. PMFBY is there to merge subsidised premiums with modern loss-assessment tools. This way, the compensation reaches farmers faster and more accurately. It helps them avoid distress borrowing and continue farming.

What is PMFBY?

It is a centrally sponsored insurance scheme. A network of insurance companies and banks implements the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana scheme. The scheme offers coverage for a wide range of ** notified crops** (food, oilseeds, commercial and horticultural) across notified areas and seasons. The design of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana scheme is affordable. Farmers pay a capped share of the actuarial premium and the Central and State governments subsidise the remainder.

Core features:

Sum insured = crop-wise / area-based determined values (as per scheme rules).
Family of risks covered: yield loss, prevented sowing, post-harvest and localised calamities.
Delivery channels: implementing insurers, banks, Common Service Centres (CSCs), and state nodal agencies.
Technology: use of remote sensing, drones and mobile apps for crop loss estimation and faster claim settlement.

Who it Benefits

All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas - owner-cultivators, tenant farmers, sharecroppers.
Marginal, small and large farmers - the scheme is open to all categories provided there is an insurable interest.
Loanee and non-loanee farmers: Loanee farmers should ensure their bank processes enrolment; non-loanee farmers can register individually.
States apply PMFBY in notified areas and for notified crops (check state notifications each season).

Key Features & Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Benefits

Affordable premiums: capped farmer share - Kharif food and oilseeds 2%, Rabi food and oilseeds 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural 5%. North-Eastern states, J&K, and Himachal Pradesh often receive full premium subsidies.
Comprehensive risk cover: Natural calamities (drought, flood, cyclone), storms, hail, pests and diseases.
Prevented sowing cover: If sowing is prevented due to adverse weather, indemnity up to 25% of the sum insured may be payable.
Post-harvest cover: Up to 14 days for produce left in “cut & spread” condition (sun-drying) if damaged by cyclone/unseasonal rains.
Localised calamities: Individual farm assessment for losses from hail, landslide, and inundation affecting isolated farms.
Timely claims: Operational guidelines target claim settlement within two months of harvest/assessment completion.
Technology use: Remote sensing, area-based estimation, smartphone apps and drones to speed and improve the accuracy of assessments.
Flexibility: States and insurers implement area- or individual-based assessment methods depending on crop and local conditions.

Handy Account for Farmers

If a farmer receives claim settlements or subsidy transfers directly to a bank account, a simple, zero-balance digital account helps manage funds. For instance, Kotak811 Zero-Balance Savings Account offers:

Quick digital opening (PAN + Aadhaar + video KYC).
Mobile banking to track claim credits and manage payments for inputs.
Virtual/physical debit card for immediate funds access.

(Note: Use any bank/account that is DBT/Aadhaar enabled as required by your state/bank.)

Eligibility Criteria for PMFBY

Farmer (owner, tenant or sharecropper) growing a notified crop in a notified area for the season.
Must have insurable interest in the insured crop.
Possess land ownership records or a valid tenancy/land tenure agreement (tenant/sharecropper evidence accepted where state rules allow).
Apply within the prescribed time frame, typically within the notified enrolment window (often within two weeks of sowing start).
Should NOT have already received compensation for the same loss from another source.

Exclusions

Non-notified areas or crops are not covered unless notified.
Losses outside the notified crop cycle are excluded.
Negligence or non-compliance with recommended practices can invalidate claims.
Failure to pay the premium, coverage lapses if the premium is not paid as required.
Certain specific perils or thresholds may be limited by the operational guidelines.

Documents Required

Passport-sized photograph.
Bank passbook/IFSC/Account number (for claim/benefit transfer).
Identity proof: Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID.
Land records / RoR / Land possession certificate OR valid land tenure/lease agreement for tenants.
Declaration of crop sown/intended to be sown (crop details, acreage).
Any other documents requested by the insurer/state nodal agency.

Application Process

PMFBY Apply Online (farmer self-service via PMFBY portal)

Visit pmfby.gov.in and open the Farmer Corner → Guest Farmer (or login if already registered).
Register (if new): provide farmer details, residential details, ID type and number, bank account, etc., and create user.
Login with mobile + OTP → open Farmer Application Form.
Fill crop/land details, upload required documents and preview.
Submit application; choose Pay Now or Pay Later for the premium.
On payment, obtain an acknowledgement/receipt; keep the reference number to track the status.
Application status can be tracked via the portal’s Application Status option.

Online via CSC (Village Level Entrepreneur assists)

Visit nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and inform the VLE.
Provide soft copies of documents and details to the VLE.
VLE submits the application online and collects the premium (if applicable).
Receive an acknowledgement receipt and tracking details.

Offline (bank/insurer branch)

Collect PMFBY application form at the participating bank/insurance office.
Complete form, attach documents, pay the premium and submit.
Receive the application reference number for tracking.

Keep copies of all submissions and receipts.

Track/Check Status

Use the Application Status option at pmfby.gov.in with your application reference or farmer credentials.
CSCs and bank branches can also provide status updates.
Keep the acknowledgement number safe, as it is needed for follow-ups and grievance redressal.

Claim Reporting and Benefit Disbursal

Report crop loss immediately to the implementing agency (insurer/bank/local nodal office) as per state timelines.
For area-based claims, assessment is done based on the notified methodology (satellite/area samples). For localised/individual claims, field assessment is arranged.
PMFBY guideline target: settle claims within two months from assessment/harvest, subject to completion of verification.
Claim payments are disbursed to the bank account provided by the farmer. Ensure accurate accounts and IFSC to prevent delays.

Grievance and Appeal

If dissatisfied with the loss assessment or claim outcome, farmers can appeal: submit a written complaint to the District Agriculture Officer/insurer within the notified timelines (check PMFBY portal for process).
Use portal grievance channels or approach district/state agriculture/insurance nodal offices. Keep application references, assessment reports, and receipts to support appeals.

Conclusion

So, this is all about the government-backed crop insurance PIK vima scheme. It stabilises your farm incomes and protects cultivators from natural calamities and post-harvest losses. It also assists with protection from pests. With capped farmer premiums, state and central subsidies, and increasing adoption of technology for faster and accurate assessment, PMFBY seeks to reduce distress and support farmers’ creditworthiness. Enrol early for each season, maintain accurate records, and track your application to ensure timely protection and claims.

FAQs on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

1. Who can apply for PMFBY?

Any farmer (owner, tenant, sharecropper) growing notified crops in notified areas for the season.

2. What are the premium rates?

Farmer share caps: Kharif food and oilseeds 2%, Rabi food and oilseeds 1.5%, annual commercial/horticultural 5%. Remainder subsidised by Centre and State.

3. Does PMFBY cover post-harvest losses?

Yes, up to 14 days for crops stored in “cut & spread” condition, subject to state notifications.

4. How quickly are claims paid?

The operational goal is within two months of harvest/assessment, provided documentation and verification are complete.

5. Can a tenant farmer apply without land ownership papers?

Yes, tenant/sharecropper can enrol with a valid land tenure agreement or state-recognised cultivation proof.

6. What if I miss the online payment deadline?

You can pay a premium at a CSC or bank branch; keep proof of attempt/transaction.

7. How to check my application/claim status?

Track via pmfby.gov.in → Application Status using your reference number or contact your CSC/bank.

8. Are losses from wild animals covered?

Generally, no natural fire is covered; wildlife damage is normally excluded.