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Farmers & AgricultureOfficial Info Verified
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Comprehensive Central Government crop insurance scheme providing financial protection to farmers against non-preventable natural risks, yield losses, localized calamities, prevented sowing, and post-harvest damages at low uniform premium rates of 2.0% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5.0% for commercial/horticultural crops.
Department: Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India (in collaboration with State Agriculture Departments & Empanelled General Insurance Companies)
Kharif Premium Rate
2.0% of Sum Insured
Foodgrains, pulses & oilseeds
Rabi Premium Rate
1.5% of Sum Insured
Foodgrains, pulses & oilseeds
Commercial/Horticulture
5.0% of Sum Insured
Annual horticultural/cash crops
Loss Reporting Window
Within 72 Hours
Via App, Portal or 14447 Helpline
Language:
Scheme Overview
What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the flagship national crop insurance scheme of the Government of India, launched in 2016 (effective from the Kharif 2016 season) by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The scheme replaced earlier crop insurance programmes (NAIS and MNAIS) with the objective of providing a uniform, farmer-friendly, low-premium, and technology-driven multi-peril risk cushion. Under the PMFBY framework, farmers pay an affordable uniform premium: a maximum of 2.0% of the Sum Insured for Kharif foodgrains and oilseeds, 1.5% for Rabi foodgrains and oilseeds, and 5.0% for annual commercial and horticultural crops. The entire remaining actuarial premium is subsidized 50:50 between the Central Government and State Governments (90:10 in North Eastern States). PMFBY provides comprehensive coverage across all stages of the crop cycle: (1) Prevented Sowing / Planting / Germination Risk (up to 25% of sum insured); (2) Standing Crop Yield Loss (covering drought, flood, inundation, pest infestations, and widespread yield shortfalls assessed via Crop Cutting Experiments); (3) Mid-Season Adversity (immediate on-account relief up to 25% of expected claims); (4) Post-Harvest Losses for cut-and-spread crops in fields up to 14 days; and (5) Localized Calamities (hailstorms, landslides, cloudbursts, inundation). Farmers can intimate losses within 72 hours via the Crop Insurance App, the PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in), or the Krishi Rakshak Helpline (14447). In West Bengal, while the state operates Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) with 100% state-funded free coverage for foodgrains, PMFBY serves as the benchmark national framework for agricultural risk underwriting.
Primary Purpose:To provide comprehensive financial safety and risk mitigation to farmers suffering crop loss or damage arising out of non-preventable natural risks, drought, floods, pests, diseases, and unseasonal weather, stabilizing farmer incomes and encouraging modern agricultural technologies.
Key Scheme Objectives
- Provide financial support and insurance coverage to farmers suffering crop loss caused by natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
- Stabilize the income of cultivating farmers to ensure continuous farm operations and prevent agricultural indebtedness.
- Encourage farmers to adopt innovative, climate-resilient, and modern agricultural practices and technologies.
- Ensure flow of institutional credit to the agricultural sector by safeguarding crop investments.
Financial Framework
PMFBY Premium Architecture & Multi-Stage Risk Indemnity Framework
PMFBY replaces high actuarial premium burdens with low, uniform farmer contribution rates, with the entire remaining balance funded by Central and State Governments.
Prevented Sowing Indemnity
Up to 25% of SI
Mid-Season Relief
Up to 25% On-Account
Post-Harvest Protection
Up to 14 Days
Government Premium Subsidy
50:50 Shared
5 Comprehensive Stages of Agricultural Risk Coverage Under PMFBY
PMFBY protects crops at every critical juncture: (1) Prevented Sowing / Planting: When adverse seasonal rainfall or environmental conditions prevent more than 75% of sowing in a notified unit; (2) Standing Crop Losses: Yield shortfalls due to non-preventable risks assessed scientifically via Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs); (3) Mid-Season Adversity: On-account cash relief up to 25% when expected yields dip below 50% of normal; (4) Post-Harvest Losses: Protection against cyclonic rains, unseasonal showers, and hailstorms for crops drying in fields up to 14 days; (5) Localized Calamities: Individual farm loss assessment for hailstorms, landslides, and flash inundation within 72 hours.
Claim Calculation & Loss Assessment Workflow:
Area Approach (Wide-Scale Yield Losses)
Calculated as: Claim = [(Threshold Yield - Actual Yield) / Threshold Yield] × Sum Insured. Actual Yield is determined through statistical Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) conducted across the notified Insurance Unit (Gram Panchayat/Block).
Individual Farm Assessment (Localized & Post-Harvest Losses)
For localized hailstorms, landslides, flash floods, or post-harvest rains, individual surveyed loss percentage is applied directly to the affected plot’s sum insured after intimation within 72 hours.
Distinction from Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) & Loan Policies:
PMFBY is the Central Government’s multi-peril crop insurance framework. In West Bengal, the state government implements Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) where 100% of farmer premiums for foodgrains, pulses, and oilseeds are paid by the state. PMFBY is strictly insurance protection for verified losses—NOT unconditional cash income support like PM-KISAN, and NOT an agricultural loan like KCC.
Technology Integration: YES-TECH, WINDS & CROPIC
PMFBY integrates Yield Estimation System based on Technology (YES-TECH), Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS), satellite remote sensing, UAV drones, and mobile GPS crop-cutting apps for fast, transparent claim settlements directly into bank accounts via DBT.
Eligibility Guidelines
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Review standard qualifying conditions, income limits, and applicable waiver categories. Read our guide on understanding eligibility
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- All farmers (owner cultivators, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers) growing notified crops in notified areas
- Both loanee farmers (holding KCC/crop loans) and non-loanee farmers eligible on a voluntary basis
- Enrolment completed before the prescribed cut-off date for the respective crop and season
- Valid land revenue record (RoR / Porcha) or authorized tenancy agreement / sowing declaration
Not Eligible:
- Crops or geographical areas not notified by the State Government for the specific season.
- Losses caused by preventable agricultural practices, poor quality seeds, war, nuclear perils, or malicious damage.
- Applications submitted after the seasonal cut-off date notified by the State Department of Agriculture.
Low Uniform Premium
Maximum 2% for Kharif & 1.5% for Rabi Foodgrains
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Comprehensive multi-peril risk coverage with 50:50 government premium subsidy and no artificial capping on sum insured.
72-Hour Reporting
Mandatory Loss Intimation for Localized & Post-Harvest Perils
Report localized crop losses within 72 hours via Crop Insurance App, pmfby.gov.in, or Krishi Rakshak Helpline 14447.
Required Documentation
Commonly Required Documents
Exact document requirements can depend on the application type and applicant circumstances. View our common documents checklist
Standard
Aadhaar Card
Mandatory primary identity proof used for e-KYC and DBT beneficiary validation.
Standard
Active Bank Passbook / Account Details
Bank account details with IFSC code for automated electronic claim disbursement.
Standard
Land Ownership Document (RoR / Khatian / Porcha)
Proof of landholding and cultivable plot ownership in the revenue records.
Standard
Sowing Certificate / Crop Declaration / Tenancy Proof
Self-declaration of sown crop verified by local Agriculture Officer / Gram Panchayat for tenant farmers.
Guidance: Ensure the applicant’s bank account is active and matches the beneficiary name exactly before institutional submission.
Application Process
How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Step-by-step application and verification procedure based on official guidelines. Read our official portals guide
1
Verify Notified Crop, Area & Seasonal Cut-Off Date
Check pmfby.gov.in or consult local block agriculture officials to verify if your crop and block are notified.
2
Apply via CSC, Bank Branch, or PMFBY Portal
Visit your bank branch (for KCC loanees), nearest Common Service Centre, or self-apply on pmfby.gov.in.
3
Upload Land & Crop Sowing Documents
Submit Aadhaar, bank passbook, land RoR/Porcha, and crop sowing certificate / tenancy declaration.
4
Pay Prescribed Farmer Premium & Collect Policy Receipt
Pay the subsidized farmer premium (1.5% to 5.0%) and obtain the official insurance policy acknowledgement number.
5
Report Localized Crop Loss Within 72 Hours (If Applicable)
In case of localized hailstorm or post-harvest damage, report within 72 hours via Crop Insurance App or Helpline 14447.
Payment Method
Farmer premium is paid electronically or through bank debits during enrolment. Approved insurance claims (indemnity) are credited directly into the farmer’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Formal Scheme Launch Year:Launched in 2016 (Effective from Kharif 2016 Season)
Important to Know
PMFBY requires payment of uniform subsidized farmer premiums (1.5% Rabi, 2% Kharif, 5% Commercial).
Losses from localized calamities and post-harvest rains must be intimated within 72 hours.
In West Bengal, Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) provides 100% state-funded free insurance for foodgrains.
PMFBY is an insurance indemnity scheme for actual verified losses, NOT direct cash support.
General yield shortfall claims are assessed scientifically via Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding eligibility, benefits, documents, and application process for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
PMFBY is a comprehensive Central Government crop insurance scheme launched in 2016 to provide financial compensation to farmers against non-preventable crop losses at low uniform premium rates.
Sources Checked
All factual information on this page has been compiled and verified against official government portals, gazettes, and departmental guidelines.
Last Verified: 2026-08-19T00:00:00Z
Independent Platform Notice:
WBScheme is an independent information platform and is not the Government of India, Government of West Bengal, or an insurance company. PMFBY coverage, notified crops, premium, enrollment deadlines, insurance companies, claim procedures and applicable rules may change by season, State and Government notification. Always verify the latest official notification before enrolling or reporting a crop loss.
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