The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-backed crop insurance scheme designed to protect your income against natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
As of April 2026, the scheme has been expanded to include new risks like wild animal attacks (starting Kharif 2026) and remains the primary safety net for Indian farmers.
1. How to Enroll (Registration)
You can enroll for the upcoming Kharif 2026 season starting soon.
For Loanee Farmers: If you have a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) or an active crop loan, you are usually enrolled automatically by your bank. If you do not want the insurance, you must submit an "opt-out" form to your bank at least 7 days before the enrollment deadline.
For Non-Loanee Farmers: Enrollment is voluntary. You can apply via:
The PMFBY Portal:
pmfby.gov.in Common Service Centres (CSC): Visit your local village operator.
Insurance Agents: Authorized representatives of companies like AIC, SBI General, etc.
Fixed Premium Rates: You only pay a small portion of the cost:
Kharif Crops: 2% of the Sum Insured.
Rabi Crops: 1.5% of the Sum Insured.
Commercial/Horticultural Crops: 5% of the Sum Insured.
2. Reporting a Loss (The 72-Hour Rule)
This is the most important part of using the scheme. If your crop is damaged by a localized calamity (hailstorm, landslide, cloudburst, or inundation), you must act immediately.
Critical Deadline: You must report the damage within 72 hours of the incident. Reports made after 72 hours are likely to be rejected.
Channels for Reporting:
Crop Insurance App: Download the official app. It is the best way to upload geotagged photos of your damaged field, which speeds up the claim.
Toll-Free Helpline: Call 14447 (the centralized government helpline) or the insurance company’s specific toll-free number.
Local Authorities: Notify your Bank, the local Agriculture Officer, or Gram Sevak in writing.
3. Claim Settlement Process
Once you report the loss, the process follows these steps:
Loss Assessment: An appointed assessor will visit your field within 48–72 hours of your report to verify the damage.
Yield-Based Claims: For widespread disasters (like a drought affecting the whole district), claims are calculated based on Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) data compared to the historical average yield.
Payment: Claims are paid via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the bank account linked to your Aadhaar.
4. Key Add-ons in 2026
Wild Animal Damage: Starting with the Kharif 2026 season, many states have introduced an "Add-on Cover" for crop loss caused by wild animals.
Post-Harvest Coverage: Your insurance stays active for up to 14 days after harvesting if the crop is left in the field to dry and is damaged by unseasonal rain or cyclones.
Summary Checklist
| Task | Requirement |
| Documents for Application | Aadhaar, Land Records (Khasra/Khata), Sowing Certificate, Bank Passbook. |
| Enrollment Period | Usually ends by July 31 for Kharif and December 31 for Rabi. |
| Claim Support | Must have Aadhaar-seeded bank account for money to reach you. |
