PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): How to Apply for Crop Insurance

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the Government of India's flagship crop insurance scheme. It protects farmers against crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases at very low premium rates.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with the Government of India.

What Is PMFBY?

Premium Rates for Farmers

One of PMFBY's biggest advantages — farmers pay a very small premium:

The remaining premium is shared between the Central and State Government (in equal ratio). The farmer's share is always capped at the above rates regardless of actual actuarial premium.

Example: If sum insured for a Kharif crop is ₹50,000, the farmer pays only ₹1,000 (2%).

Who Is Eligible?

• All farmers — landowner farmers, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers
• Growing notified crops in notified areas during the notified season
• Both loanee farmers (crop loan borrowers) and non-loanee farmers can enrol
• Enrolment is voluntary — even loanee farmers can opt out by informing their bank before the cut-off date

Crops Covered

PMFBY covers crops notified by the respective State Government for each season:

• Kharif: Rice, maize, bajra, jowar, cotton, soybean, groundnut, urad, moong, etc.
• Rabi: Wheat, barley, gram (chana), mustard, lentil (masoor), sunflower, etc.
• Commercial/Horticultural: Sugarcane, potato, onion, tomato, chilli, banana, mango, etc. (state-specific)

Check your district's notified crops on pmfby.gov.in before enrolling.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Option 1: Online via PMFBY Portal

1. Visit pmfby.gov.in
2. Click "Farmer Corner" → "Apply for Crop Insurance"
3. Register with your mobile number (OTP verification)
4. Enter details: Aadhaar number, bank account, land details (survey number, area, crop)
5. Upload documents (land records, sowing certificate if applicable)
6. Pay the farmer's share of premium online
7. Download the application acknowledgement

Option 2: Through Your Bank (for Loanee Farmers)

1. If you have a crop loan/KCC, your bank automatically enrols you (unless you opt out)
2. Premium is deducted from your loan account
3. Verify your crop and land details with the bank before the cut-off date

Option 3: Through CSC (Common Service Centre)

1. Visit your nearest CSC / Jan Seva Kendra
2. Carry your documents (listed below)
3. The CSC operator fills your application and collects the premium
4. You receive an acknowledgement slip

Option 4: Through Insurance Company or Agent

1. Contact the empanelled insurance company for your district
2. Submit the application form with documents
3. Pay the premium

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card
• Bank passbook (with IFSC code)
• Land records — Khatauni / 7/12 extract / Patta / RoR (Revenue Record)
• Sowing certificate (from Patwari / Village Officer — for non-loanee farmers)
• Land lease agreement (for tenant farmers / sharecroppers)
• Passport-size photograph

Important Timelines

⚠️ Timelines vary by state. Always check pmfby.gov.in for your state's exact dates.

Claim Process

When Can You Claim?

• Prevented sowing — if you couldn't sow due to deficit rainfall/flood
• Standing crop loss — damage during crop growth due to drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone, pest attack
• Post-harvest losses — damage within 14 days of harvesting due to cyclone, unseasonal rain, hailstorm
• Localized calamities — hailstorm, landslide, flooding affecting individual farms

How to File a Claim

1. Report crop loss within 72 hours through:
   • Crop Insurance App (available on Play Store)
   • PMFBY portal — pmfby.gov.in
   • Insurance company toll-free number
   • Your bank branch
2. Provide: policy number, crop details, nature of loss, photos of damage
3. Insurance company sends a surveyor for loss assessment
4. For widespread losses, claims are based on Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) data from the state government
5. Claim amount is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account

Processing Time

Important Tips

1. Report losses within 72 hours — delayed reporting may lead to claim rejection
2. Download the Crop Insurance App — fastest way to report losses and track claim status
3. Verify your bank details and Aadhaar linkage — claims are paid directly to your Aadhaar-linked account
4. Take photographs of crop damage immediately — they serve as evidence
5. Check premium deduction — loanee farmers should verify if the correct premium was debited by the bank

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is PMFBY compulsory for farmers with crop loans?

No. Since Kharif 2020, PMFBY enrolment is voluntary for all farmers, including loanee farmers. You can opt out by informing your bank before the cut-off date.

Q2: How is the sum insured calculated?

The sum insured is based on the Scale of Finance (cost of cultivation) for the notified crop, as fixed by the District Level Technical Committee (DLTC).

Q3: Can tenant farmers apply for PMFBY?

Yes. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers can enrol by submitting a land lease agreement or a letter from the landowner confirming tenancy.

Q4: How do I check my PMFBY application status?

Visit pmfby.gov.in → "Application Status" → enter your application/receipt number or Aadhaar number.

Q5: What if I don't report crop loss within 72 hours?

Late reporting may result in reduced claim payout or rejection. Always report promptly through the app, portal, or toll-free number.

Q6: Is there a mobile app for PMFBY?

Yes. Download the "Crop Insurance" app from Google Play Store. You can use it to enrol, report crop loss, and check claim status.

Q7: What percentage of crop loss qualifies for a claim?

If the actual yield falls below the threshold yield (based on historical average) by the defined trigger, the farmer is eligible for compensation. The exact threshold varies by crop and district.

Also see our PM-KISAN guide for checking your ₹6,000/year farmer benefit status.