Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India |
| Benefit | Insurance cover for crop loss, with premium of 2% (Kharif), 1.5% (Rabi) and 5% (commercial or horticultural crops) |
| Who can apply | Farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, growing notified crops in notified areas |
| How it is paid | Claim money sent directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account (DBT) |
| Apply at | pmfby.gov.in, bank branch (for loanee farmers), Common Service Centre (CSC) or an insurance company agent |
| Cost to apply | Only the farmer's share of premium, which is very low |
Key points
- Farmers pay only 2% of the sum insured for Kharif food and oilseed crops.
- The scheme covers drought, flood, pests, diseases, hailstorm and other natural risks.
- Loanee farmers are covered automatically, and others can join voluntarily.
- Claims are meant to be settled within about two months of harvest.
So what does a farmer actually get?
If your notified crop is damaged by a covered risk, you get financial compensation for the loss.
The scheme covers failure of sowing due to poor rain, standing crop losses, post-harvest losses, and local calamities.
The farmer pays a small premium. The government pays the rest of the premium, and in many cases most of it.
Farmers in the North-Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh get the full premium paid by the government.
The government has also decided to include crop damage by wild animals as a ground for payouts, though states may apply it differently. Amounts can change, so please confirm on the official site.
Who can apply, and who cannot?
Any farmer growing a notified crop in a notified area during the season can apply.
Sharecroppers and tenant farmers are included, if they have a valid land agreement or tenancy paper.
Families sharing agricultural land can apply, even if the papers are in one member's name.
Farmers must have an insurable interest in the crop, which means they actually grow it and bear the loss.
If you have already received compensation for the same crop loss from another source, you cannot claim again.
Loss from war, nuclear risks, malicious damage or other preventable risks is not covered.
What do you need to keep ready?
Keep your Aadhaar card and a mobile number linked with it.
Keep a bank passbook with your account number and IFSC code.
Keep your land papers, such as the land ownership certificate, or a valid tenancy agreement if you rent land.
You may also need a PAN card, voter ID, Kisan photo passbook or NREGA job card, as proof of identity.
How do you apply online, step by step?
Go to pmfby.gov.in and open the Farmer Corner.
Register with your mobile number and Aadhaar details.
Fill in your land, crop and bank details, and check everything carefully.
Submit the form. Keep the application number safe for future checks.
- 1Go to pmfby.gov.inOpen the Farmer Corner on the official site.
- 2RegisterRegister with your mobile number and Aadhaar details.
- 3Fill in your detailsEnter your land, crop and bank details, and check everything carefully.
- 4Submit the formSubmit the form and keep the application number safe for future checks.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Can you apply offline, at a bank or a CSC?
Loanee farmers can apply at the bank branch where they took the crop loan. The premium is deducted from the loan account.
You can also visit your nearest Common Service Centre and ask the operator to register you online.
An authorised agent of an empanelled insurance company can also enrol you.
How do you check your status, and what if a claim is stuck?
Use the portal to check your application and claim status with your application number.
If the claim is delayed, report it to the helpline or the insurance company, and mention the application number.
You can also raise a grievance on the official portal.
Be careful of agents who ask for extra money. Pay only the official premium, at a bank, CSC or authorised channel.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
