Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government crop insurance scheme that protects farmers against crop loss from natural calamities, pests, and diseases while uniting stakeholders on one platform.
Explore Plans
Check Our Health Insurance Plans
Get Quote
3 min
20-June-2025

Launched on 18 February 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-backed crop insurance scheme introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, under the Ministry of Agriculture. The scheme aims to offer financial protection to farmers against crop losses caused by natural calamities such as hailstorms, droughts, floods, pests, or diseases.

PMFBY provides affordable crop insurance coverage to farmers across India through a wide network of insurance companies and banks. Covering more than 50 crore farmers and over 50 types of crops, it ensures cost-effective risk management for the agricultural sector.

Objectives of PMFBY

  • To offer financial assistance to farmers facing crop loss due to unforeseen events.
  • To stabilise farmers’ income and ensure the continuity of agricultural activities.
  • To encourage the adoption of modern and innovative farming practices.
  • To promote crop diversification and enhance the creditworthiness and competitiveness of farmers by protecting them from production-related risks.

What is PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana)?

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a flagship crop insurance scheme introduced by the Government of India to support farmers in times of agricultural distress. Designed to protect farmers against financial losses due to unpredictable natural events such as floods, droughts, pest attacks, and crop diseases, PMFBY plays a vital role in stabilising rural income and promoting sustainable farming.

This scheme not only provides affordable insurance coverage but also encourages farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, thereby improving crop productivity and resilience.

Feature

PM Fasal Bima Yojana Scheme

Objective

Protect farmers from crop losses

Coverage

Damage due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases

Eligibility

All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers

Premium

Affordable rates, subsidised by the government

Launched by

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare

PMFBY login

pmfby.gov.in


Objective of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

The primary goal of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is to provide farmers with affordable crop insurance and ensure financial stability in the event of losses caused by natural calamities. The scheme is designed to reduce the premium burden on farmers while offering maximum compensation for damaged crops. This financial protection allows farmers to confidently invest in high-quality seeds, modern techniques, and better cultivation practices. By safeguarding them from major financial setbacks, PMFBY plays a crucial role in strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural growth.

Key features of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Discussed below are the key features of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Yojana, a crucial initiative for crop insurance in India:

  • Comprehensive coverage: PMFBY offers comprehensive insurance cover against crop failure, aiming to stabilise farmers' income and encourage innovative farming practices.
  • Crop Inclusion: The scheme covers all food and oilseeds crops and annual commercial/ horticultural crops for which past yield data is available, ensuring a wide range of crops are protected.
  • Compulsory and voluntary coverage: While the scheme is compulsory for loanee farmers obtaining Crop Loan/ Kisan Credit Card accounts, it's voluntary for other farmers with insurable interests in the crop.
  • Affordable premiums: Farmers pay low premiums, with rates set at 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for Commercial/ Horticultural crops.
  • Cost-Sharing: The premium's difference and insurance charges are shared equally by the Centre and State governments.
  • Implementation: PMFBY is implemented through Agricultural Insurance Company of India (AIC) and other private general insurance companies selected by state governments through bidding.
  • Area approach: The scheme operates on an area-based approach, with insurance units at the village or village panchayat level for major crops, ensuring effective coverage.
  • Risk assessment: Loss assessment due to natural risks is conducted on an area approach basis, while localised perils and post-harvest losses are assessed at individual farm levels.
  • Indemnity levels: Farmers can choose indemnity levels of 70%, 80%, or 90% based on crop risk.
  • Smart technology integration: The scheme integrates technology like remote sensing and drones for accurate yield estimation and loss assessment.
  • Claim settlement: Claim amounts are credited electronically to individual insured bank accounts, ensuring transparency and timely payment.
  • On-account Claims: Provision for on-account claims is available in case of adverse seasonal conditions during crop seasons, providing timely support to farmers.
  • Eligibility and application: All farmers growing notified crops in a notified area are eligible, with the application process outlined by state governments.
  • Exclusions: The scheme covers various risks but excludes certain perils like war, nuclear risks, and preventable losses.
  • Sum insured: Sum insured is calculated based on the scale of finance or threshold yield, ensuring adequate coverage for farmers' losses.

Key Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

  • Comprehensive coverage: Offers insurance for crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
  • Affordable premiums: Farmers pay low premium rates (as low as 1.5%-2%), with the rest subsidized by the government.
  • Timely claim settlement: Ensures quick claim processing and direct transfer to farmers’ bank accounts.
  • Encourages modern farming: Promotes use of advanced technology and better risk management in agriculture.

Eligibility criteria for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

The below criteria ensure that farmers across India have access to comprehensive crop insurance coverage under PMFBY, safeguarding their livelihoods against unforeseen agricultural risks. The PMFBY login system provides a user-friendly interface for farmers to access policy details, track claims, and stay informed about their coverage status. This digital platform enhances transparency and ensures timely support, empowering farmers to secure their crops and invest confidently in their agricultural practices.

  • Farmers eligible: All farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season with an insurable interest in the crop are eligible.
  • Compulsory coverage: Farmers in the notified area who possess a Crop Loan account/Kisan Credit Card (KCC) account and to whom credit limit is sanctioned/renewed for the notified crop during the crop season must enroll in the scheme.
  • Voluntary coverage: Farmers not covered under compulsory coverage, including those with expired credit limits, can opt for voluntary coverage.
  • Crop coverage: The scheme covers all crops for which past yield data is available and grown during the notified season in a Notified Area.
  • Notified area: The size of the Unit of Insurance (Notified Area) depends on the area under cultivation within the unit, usually at the Village/Village Panchayat level for major crops.
  • Insurable risks: Risks such as yield losses due to natural calamities like fire, lightning, storm, flood, drought, pests, and diseases are covered.
  • Exclusions: Excluded risks include war, nuclear risks, riots, theft, malicious damage, and losses due to preventable causes.
  • Loanee farmers: For compulsory coverage, the sum insured is determined based on the Scale of Finance or threshold yield, and the insurance charges are financed by the bank.
  • Voluntary farmers: For voluntary coverage, the sum insured is based on the threshold yield multiplied by the Minimum Support Price (MSP) or gate price of the crop.

Documents Required for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

  • Aadhaar card – Mandatory for identity verification
  • Land ownership proof – Such as land records or tenancy agreement
  • Bank passbook copy – For direct benefit transfer
  • Passport-size photographs – For application and record purposes
  • Crop sowing declaration – Stating the type and area of the crop

Coverage and premium under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Given below are the details for PM Kisan Fasal Bima Yojana:

  • The Scheme can cover all the Crops for which past yield data is available and grown during the notified season, in a Notified Area and for which yield estimation at the Notified Area level will be available based on requisite number of Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) being a part of the General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).
  • All farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season who have insurable interest in the crop are eligible.
  • The rate of Insurance Charges payable by the farmer will be as per the following table:

Season

Crops

Maximum Insurance charges payable by farmer (% of sum insured)

Kharif

Food and oilseeds crops (all cereals, millets, & oilseeds, pulses)

2% of sum insured or Actuarial rate, whichever is less

Rabi

Food and oilseeds crops (all cereals, millets, & oilseeds, pulses)

1.5% of sum insured or Actuarial rate, whichever is less

Kharif and rabi

Annual commercial / annual horticultural crops

5% of sum insured or Actuarial rate, whichever is less

Pro Tip

Avail hospitalisation and treatment benefits with health insurance plans starting at just Rs. 15*/day.

health-insurance-banner

Risks covered under PMFBY

Risks covered under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Following risks leading to crop loss are to be covered under the PM Fasal Bima scheme:

  • Yield losses (standing crops, on notified area basis): Comprehensive risk insurance is provided to cover yield losses due to non-preventable risks, such as 
    • Natural fire and lightning 
    • Storm, hailstorm, cyclone, typhoon, tempest, hurricane, tornado etc. 
    • Flood, inundation and landslide 
    • Drought, dry spells 
    • Pests/ diseases etc. 
  • Prevented sowing: If most farmers in an area intend to plant crops but can't because of bad weather, they can claim up to 25% of their insurance for the crops they couldn't sow. 
  • Post-harvest losses: If crops are left in the field after harvesting to dry but get damaged by specific events like cyclones or unseasonal rains within 14 days, farmers can claim insurance for these losses. 
  • Localised calamities: If a farm is affected by specific local disasters like hailstorms, landslides, or floods, the farmer can claim insurance for the damages caused by these events.

Exclusions under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

Certain risks and losses are not covered by the insurance. These include:

  • War and similar dangers
  • Nuclear risks
  • Riots
  • Intentional damage or harm
  • Theft
  • Conflict with others
  • Damage caused by animals
  • Crop losses after harvesting if they were bundled up before threshing
  • Other risks that could have been prevented

PMFBY claim process and settlement explained

  • For coverage through banks: The claim amount is sent to nodal banks, which credit it directly to farmers’ accounts and display beneficiary details on notice boards. Farmers can track their PMFBY claim status via their bank or the PMFBY portal. Banks also share farmer-wise claim details with the Implementing Agency for transparency and timely disbursement.
  • For coverage through other intermediaries: The claim amount is electronically transferred to the insured farmer’s bank account for quick and direct settlement.

Application process for PMFBY

Farmers can apply for PMFBY through both online and offline modes, depending on their convenience.

  • Online process for PMFBY: Visit the official website pmfby.gov.in, register using your Aadhaar and mobile number, fill in the required details, upload necessary documents, and submit the application. You can also do a PM Fasal Bima Yojana status check anytime via the same portal.
  • Offline process for PMFBY: Farmers can visit nearby Common Service Centres (CSCs), banks, or insurance company offices. Submit the application form along with required documents like Aadhaar, land proof, and bank details. Officials will help complete the process and provide an acknowledgment for future reference.

Conclusion

While PMFBY focuses on crop insurance, it highlights the broader need for financial protection in rural India—just as health insurance safeguards families against medical expenses, PMFBY protects farmers from crop-related losses. Together, schemes like PMFBY and health insurance play a crucial role in building a secure and resilient future for farmers. Farmers should take advantage of such initiatives to ensure both their health and livelihood are protected.

Check Out Other Government Health Insurance Plans

Ayushman Card

Abha Card

PMMVY Scheme

Beneficiary Nha

Employees State Insurance Scheme

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana

Gram Suvidha Policy

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Sukarsha Bima Yojana

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of PMFBY?

The benefits of PMFBY include affordable crop insurance against natural disasters, timely claim settlements, income stability for farmers, and encouragement for adopting innovative farming practices. Farmers can also conveniently check their claim updates through the PMFBY claim status portal.

What is the claim amount for PMFBY?

The claim amount for PMFBY depends on the extent of crop loss and is calculated based on predefined scales of compensation per hectare. It covers the cost of replanting or compensates for yield loss, ensuring financial stability for farmers.

Who launched the PMFBY?

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched by the Government of India in January 2016, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive crop insurance to protect farmers against natural calamities.

How can I check the PMFBY beneficiary list?

To view the list of beneficiaries under PMFBY, visit the official portal and navigate to the “Beneficiary List” or “View Farmers List” section. You’ll need to enter your district, state, crop, and season details to see the enrolled farmers.

Coverage of post-harvest damage due to unseasonal rains

Yes, PMFBY does cover losses caused by unseasonal rains within 14 days after harvesting, as long as the crops are left in a “cut and spread” condition for drying in the field

Coverage for damage from wild animals or fire from neighbouring fields

  • Wild animal damage: Not covered under standard PMFBY—it’s considered a preventable risk. However, some states offer it as optional add-on coverage, with separate premiums and state notification required
  • Natural fire: Covered under the scheme for standing crops under “natural fire” peril, including wildfires or fires from neighboring fields

How to check PM Fasal Bima Yojana status

To track your application or claim:

  • Go to the PMFBY portal.
  • Navigate to “Check Status” (it may be under “Beneficiary/Claim Status”).
  • Enter your Aadhaar number, mobile number, or application/receipt ID.
  • Click “Submit” to instantly view your current status.
This is the official method for a pm fasal bima yojana status check, ensuring transparency and keeping you updated on claim progress.

How to enroll farmers in the PMFBY scheme?

Farmers can enroll in PMFBY through their nearest bank branch, Common Service Centre (CSC), or the official PMFBY portal. They need to submit required documents like land records, crop details, Aadhaar card, and bank account information before the cut-off date for their crop season.

How much crop insurance amount is received under PMFBY?

The claim amount depends on the extent of crop loss and the sum insured for that crop. Farmers receive compensation based on the difference between the threshold yield and the actual yield assessed in their area.

How can I check the PMFBY village list online?

Visit the official PMFBY website, go to the “Reports” section, and select your state, district, and village to view the list of insured villages under the scheme.

Can I check my PMFBY status on pmfby.gov.in?

Yes. You can check your PMFBY policy or claim status online by visiting pmfby.gov.in, selecting “Application Status,” and entering your policy number or registered mobile number.

Show More Show Less

Bajaj Finserv app for all your financial needs and goals

Trusted by 50 million+ customers in India, Bajaj Finserv App is a one-stop solution for all your financial needs and goals.

You can use the Bajaj Finserv App to:

  • Apply for loans online, such as Instant Personal Loan, Home Loan, Business Loan, Gold Loan, and more.
  • Invest in fixed deposits and mutual funds on the app.
  • Choose from multiple insurance for your health, motor and even pocket insurance, from various insurance providers.
  • Pay and manage your bills and recharges using the BBPS platform. Use Bajaj Pay and Bajaj Wallet for quick and simple money transfers and transactions.
  • Apply for Insta EMI Card and get a pre-qualified limit on the app. Explore over 1 million products on the app that can be purchased from a partner store on Easy EMIs.
  • Shop from over 100+ brand partners that offer a diverse range of products and services.
  • Use specialised tools like EMI calculators, SIP Calculators
  • Check your credit score, download loan statements and even get quick customer support—all on the app.

Download the Bajaj Finserv App today and experience the convenience of managing your finances on one app.

Do more with the Bajaj Finserv App!

UPI, Wallet, Loans, Investments, Cards, Shopping and more

GET THE APP

Disclaimer

*T&C Apply - Bajaj Finance Limited (‘BFL’) is a registered corporate agent of third party insurance products of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited, SBI General Insurance Company Limited, ACKO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, New India Assurance Limited, Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited, Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company Limited, Star Health & Allied Insurance Company Limited, Care Health Insurance Company Limited, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited and Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited under the IRDAI composite registration number CA0101. Please note that, BFL does not underwrite the risk or act as an insurer. Your purchase of an insurance product is purely on a voluntary basis after your exercise of an independent due diligence on the suitability, viability of any insurance product. Any decision to purchase insurance product is solely at your own risk and responsibility and BFL shall not be liable for any loss or damage that any person may suffer, whether directly or indirectly. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions and exclusions please read the product sales brochure & policy wordings carefully before concluding a sale. Tax benefits applicable if any, will be as per the prevailing tax laws. Tax laws are subject to change. BFL does NOT provide Tax/Investment advisory services. Please consult your advisors before proceeding to purchase an insurance product. Visitors are hereby informed that their information submitted on the website may also be shared with insurers. BFL is also distributor of other third-party products from Assistance service providers such as CPP Assistance Services Private Limited, Bajaj Finserv Health Limited. etc. All product information such as premium, benefits, exclusions, value added services etc. are authentic and solely based on the information received from the respective Insurance company or the respective Assistance provider company.

Note - While we have made all the efforts and taken utmost care in gathering precise information about the products, features, benefits etc. However, BFL cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage/loss. We request our customers to conduct their research about these products and refer to the respective products sales brochure and policy/membership wordings before concluding sales.