The Government of India has rolled out the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to offer a unified crop insurance solution by bringing together the most valuable previous agricultural schemes and new advancements to enhance the portfolio of the best government schemes for farmers in India. The PMFBY aims to subsidise farmers against natural calamities, pests and diseases, crop loss, and loss of income, while supporting access to credit, stabilising income and encouraging modernisation in agriculture.
In this article, we will get the detailed information of the PMFBY, its benefits, features, eligibility, answers to popular questions like ‘How do I check my PMFBY Beneficiary List?’, PMFBY application process, process of checking PMFBY status by Aadhar card, and much more.
Overview
There are so many technicalities farmers can get lost in with government schemes. Here's a quick overview table that will allow you to see the essential pieces of PMFBY in one place: what it is, eligibility, benefits, documents asked, and the process of applying.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| What is PMFBY? | A unified crop insurance scheme in India. It was introduced by the MoAFW to support agricultural & horticultural crops |
| Benefits | Low premiums, total government subsidy, tech-based claim processes, no service tax |
| Eligibility | All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas, with insurable interest |
| Documents Required | Aadhaar, land records, bank passbook, crop details |
| =How to Complete The Fasal Bima Application? | Official portal or via CSC/banks; online/offline registration |
| Quick Registration Guide | Register on PMFBY gov in→ fill Farmer Corner form → upload docs → pay → track application |
| How do I check my PMFBY Beneficiary list? Or how to check the PMFBY village list? | Through the official portal of PMFBY gov in |
| Compare with other schemes | See the “PMFBY vs Others” table further below |
Read on for full details—registering online or offline, claim filing, premium rates, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana list, updates for 2025 and comparisons with other crop insurance programmes.
What Is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, started by the GOI, is the integrated and latest crop insurance scheme in furtherance of the One Nation-One Scheme. Fasal Bima is an amalgamation of profitable and advantageous features of the previous schemes, along with modifications.
The Main Ideals of The PMFBY Are:
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Provision of financial assistance and, most importantly, the agriculture insurance company PMFBY provides insurance coverage in the event of crop failure owing to natural calamities, force majeure events, pests and animals.
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Neutralisation of losses and stabilisation of farmers’ incomes.
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Promotion of technology and innovative methods in the farming process.
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Ensuring a smooth flow of credit to the agricultural sector.
February 18, 2016, is recognised as the Fasal Bima Yojana launch date. It was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and includes both agricultural as well as horticulture crops.
Drawbacks of National Agricultural Insurance Scheme: Need to Introduce PMFBY
The NAIS scheme of 1999 presented drawbacks that were addressed by way of the enactment of PMFBY. Let us have a look at them:
- Low Coverage
- Low Operational Performance
- Lack of participation by farmers
- Lack of awareness
- Lack of access to farmers
These drawbacks prompted the government to replace the NAIS with PMFBY.
Also Read: Digital Agriculture Mission: Accelerating Farmer IDs For India’s Agriculture Growth
Key Features Of PMFBY
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana flagship scheme, is not just about claims - it is also about establishing a secure agricultural ecosystem. Below, you'll find an overview of all of the features that make PMFBY trustworthy, affordable, and technologically-enabled.
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Affordable Premiums for Farmers: Agriculture insurance company PMFBY provides fixed premium rates at a reasonable rate: 2% for Kharif cereals/pulses, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for horticulture, the remaining amount paid equally by the central and state (90:10 for North-East).
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Full Coverage: The government does not cap their subsidy, and therefore, farmers will get the full sum insured when they make a claim.
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Technological Assessments: The use of satellite imaging, drones, remote sensing, mobile applications, and YES-TECH to enable accurate estimation of yield and claims expediently.
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Coverage for Post-harvest and Prevented Sowing Risks: Provides insurance support when a crop is damaged during post-harvest or for failed or incomplete sowing events.
What Are The Benefits Of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
With many schemes in place, you might be wondering what uniquely distinguishes PMFBY. Let’s take a look at the top unique PMFBY benefits that make the scheme a trusted safety net for millions of farmers in India.
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Low Premium Rates: The premium rates to be paid by the farmers are minimally set at 2% for agriculture and 5% for horticulture crops, respectively. Low premium rates ensure the involvement of farmers and timely insurance claim payment due to the government’s involvement.
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No Upper Cap On Government Subsidy: No upper cap has been placed on the amount of premium that is to be borne by the government. The percentage of the premium to be borne by the government could be as high as 90%.
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Promotion of Innovation: Technology and innovation will be promoted to a huge extent. Pictures of crop cutting and uploading of data will now be done using smartphones to reduce the time for the payment of insurance claims.
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Service Tax Liability: The PMFBY is exempt from service tax liability, unlike the NAIS scheme. All services employed in the implementation of the government scheme are exempt from such tax.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply For Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Before we dive into the process of registration, ensure that you check your PMFBY eligibility. Here's a breakdown of who can apply and what an insurable crop is.
- All farmers growing notified crops.
- Such crops should be grown in a notified area.
- Farmers should have an insurable interest in such crops.
How To Apply For Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Insurance is easier than ever, through online and offline channels. Below, follow this simple step-by-step guide on how to apply for PMFBY registration without complications.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Online Apply:-
The process of Fasal Bima online application is now much easier, now that the official online portal is operational. Just follow the steps you see below for the Fasal Bima application to obtain insurance for your crops without having to use an office.
Step 1: Visit the PMFBY gov in website run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Step 2: Click on the Farmer Corner and choose the register yourself for the crop insurance scheme.
Step 3: Fill in the necessary details in the Fasal Bima form and upload the relevant documents.
Step 4: Recheck the details in the Fasal Bima form and click on submit.
Step 5: You can check the status of your application here or through another process involving PMFBY status by Aadhar card.
Please note that one can check the PMFBY village list through the same PMFBY gov in portal.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Offline Apply:-
Farmers have no access to digital channels, or farmers who live in remote spots. The government is making sure that no one is left behind. Here's how you can apply for PMFBY offline through banks or CSCs near you.
Step 1: Go to the Nearest Bank/ Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Farmers can go to the nearest nationalised banking institution branch, regional rural bank or a Common Service Centre (CSC) in their villages or district.
Step 2: Collect the PMFBY Application Form
- Request the crop insurance form from the banking institutions or the CSC counter. Fill out the crop insurance application form with correct details such as the crop, land area, season and specific location.
Step 3: Attach Required Documents
Step 4: Submit the Form and Pay the Premium
- Once the application form is filled out and the required documents attached, the farmer can submit it at the counter. The farmer should pay the premium amount specified, and an acknowledgement or receipt is generated.
Step 5: Track Application Status
- The farmer can either go back to the bank/CSC or call the Fasal Bima Yojana toll-free number (14447) to check the status of the application and whether their claim is eligible.
Note: This offline process is useful to farmers mainly in remote areas or those without Internet connection for availability and access to crop insurance in India.
Also Read: Krishi Yantra Subsidy Scheme: Agriculture With Innovative Farming Tools
List Of Documents Required Under PMFBY
To avoid delays or possible claim rejection, make certain that you have carefully prepared your paperwork. Below, you will find a checklist of all of the necessary documents to keep available while applying.
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Land titles (7/12, khatauni)
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Bank account information (with IFSC)
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Cropping information (survey number, area, etc.)
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Passport-sized photograph (if required)
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Sowing declaration (if relevant)
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Mobile number (Aadhaar-linked to receive OTP/notifications)
What Are The Premium Rates Under PMFBY?
Wondering how much it's going to cost you to insure your crops? Let's look at premium rates for farmers and how subsidised programs alleviate the costs under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
All remaining actuarial premium is subsidised by the local & central government (98-100% coverage; 90:10 in the North-East).
How To File A Claim Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
The difference between surviving and catastrophe can be fast and timely claims if you find yourself in a disaster. This section will guide you through filing your claims for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana with ease.
Step 1: A farmer is to report to their state agricultural office, CSC, or on the PMFBY mobile app no later than 72 hours after damage is caused to the crops.
Step 2: Aerial yield assessment or ground-level yield assessment will be undertaken by using technology tools like UAVs and the CCE-Agri app.
Step 3: Once a decision is made on the claim, the funds are transferred to the farmer's bank account, expect payments are expected to be made within 30-60 days from either the harvest or the date the loss was reported.
Step 4: For any queries and complaints, farmers can contact the Fasal Bima Yojana toll-free number 14447, the toll-free helpline number or the Krishi Rakshak Portal.
Latest Updates In 2025
This government scheme has evolved to accommodate the new-age farmer. Here's what's new in PMFBY in 2025 - technology roll-outs, availability of funds, fraud detection, and detection and management of crops (drones being piloted).
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Scheme extensions: PMFBY and RWBCIS schemes have been extended until 2025-26 with increased budget allocation of ₹69,515.71 cr and ₹824.77 cr for technology infusion.
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Greater voluntary uptake: Non-loanee farmers, i.e., farmers who do not have an agriculture loan, have been more diverse in their uptake of these schemes, accounting for ~55% of total coverage in 2023-24.
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Increased Technology: YES-TECH was rolled out in nine states and is expected to be adopted across the country, having out manual Crop Cutting Experiments.
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Independent reviews: Some states, e.g., Maharashtra, have identified discrepancies with the premiums received and claim payouts; adjustments will be made to restore balance.
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Instance of fraud: FIRs are being filed for fraudulent claims—show the government is watching!
How Is PMFBY In Comparison To Other Agricultural Schemes?
This comparative table of PMFBY against other government schemes like RWBCIS (Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme) and Khet Suraksha Yojana, and all that's available now, makes it simple for a Quick Comparison.
| Aspect | PMFBY | RWBCIS | Khet Suraksha Yojana |
|---|
| Basis of Claim | Actual yield loss via CCE and satellite data | Weather-triggered losses | Fixed compensation for selected crops |
| Premium Rate to Farmers | 2% (Kharif), 1.5% (Rabi), 5% (Commercial/Horti) | Similar subsidy structure | Varies by scheme; often higher |
| Pay-out Speed | Within 30–60 days | Faster due to index-based triggers | Moderate; depends on manual surveys |
| Coverage Scope | Yield, post-harvest, prevented sowing, localised | Only weather-related perils | Limited to select perils and crops |
| Voluntary Participation | Voluntary for all farmers (since 2020) | Depends on the state | Varies; typically voluntary |
| Technology Integration | High (YES-TECH, CCE app, UAVs) | Moderate | Low |
Conclusion
The PMFBY aims to provide reassurance and assistance to farmers in times of need. The guidelines under the scheme are revised from time to time as per the needs and developments in the agricultural sector. This government scheme is a panacea for the farmers, especially in geographically vulnerable areas.
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