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Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — crop insurance @ 1.5-5% premium (2026)
Up to 90% of insured crop loss compensated. Farmer share: 1.5% (rabi) / 2% (kharif) / 5% (commercial) of sum insured.
Launched: 2016 · Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Who is eligible
- All farmers (loanee + non-loanee) growing notified crops in notified areas
- Voluntary; loanee farmers can opt-out on declaration
- Crop notified by State Govt for the season
- Aadhaar mandatory
What you get
Compensation: Up to 90% of insured crop loss. Coverage: yield loss (90%), prevented sowing (25%), post-harvest losses (90%). Sum insured: typically Rs 25,000-50,000 per acre, varies by crop.
How to apply (step-by-step)
- Apply via bank (loanee) or CSC / portal (non-loanee) — pmfby.gov.in for online; cut-off date varies by state + season.
- Choose crop + acreage — From state-notified list.
- Pay premium — 1.5-2% (food crops) or 5% (commercial). Govt pays balance.
- Crop monitored by ATMA / KVK — Random crop-cutting experiments determine yield.
- On notified loss event — auto-claim — No application needed; insurer auto-pays based on yield data.
- Claim credited to Aadhaar-linked account — Within 60-90 days of yield assessment.
Documents needed
- Aadhaar
- Bank account (Aadhaar-linked)
- Land record / 7-12
- Sowing certificate (some states)
Timeline
Claim: 60-90 days post-yield assessment. Payouts may take 6 months total in some seasons.
Portal + helpline
- Official portal: pmfby.gov.in
- Helpline: PMFBY: 1800-3001-4001
Common issues
- Premium not paid by cut-off — coverage void; track state cut-off dates carefully.
- Crop not notified — only listed crops in listed villages eligible. Check before sowing.
- Aadhaar not linked to bank — DBT bounces; fix at bank.
- Yield assessment disputed — appeal to DLMC (District Level Monitoring Committee).
Benefit delayed or rejected? File an RTI
Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date. 2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file. 3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline. 4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days. 5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the AI RTI Drafter →
More schemes for you: All farmers schemes
Frequently asked questions
How is loss assessed?
Crop-cutting experiments by State Agriculture Univ + insurer. Smartphone app PMFBY-CCE for digital reporting.
What about partial loss?
Pro-rata: if yield drops 30% below threshold, you get 30% of insured sum.
Cyclone/flood loss — what timeframe?
Notify within 72 hours via app / call insurer. Photo evidence helps.
Claim delayed > 90 days?
File RTI to DLMC + state agriculture department.
Summary + next step
Bottom line: Up to 90% of insured crop loss compensated. Farmer share: 1.5% (rabi) / 2% (kharif) / 5% (commercial) of sum insured. Apply at pmfby.gov.in. If delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI — most cases clear within 15 days.
- Apply now: pmfby.gov.in
- If delayed — RTI Drafter: File RTI in 5 minutes
- Browse all 150 yojanas: Sarkari Yojana index
Related
Sources
- Official portal: pmfby.gov.in
- Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Launched: 2016
- Citizen feedback via %%AwaazRTI%% (composite, identifying details removed)
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.

