How to Apply for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) — Crop Insurance Online

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the government's crop insurance scheme that protects farmers from crop loss due to natural disasters, pests, and diseases. If your crop is damaged, you can get insurance money to cover your loss. The premium (bima ki keemat) is very low — the government pays most of it for you.

What is PMFBY?

PMFBY was launched in 2016 by the Government of India. It is the biggest crop insurance scheme in the world. Key points:

• Covers all food crops, oilseeds, and commercial/horticultural crops notified by your state government
• Farmers pay very low premium — government pays the rest
• Covers losses from natural calamities like flood, drought, cyclone, hailstorm, landslide, pest attack, and crop disease
• Available for Kharif season, Rabi season, and commercial crops

Premium Rates (What Farmers Pay)

Example: If your Kharif crop is insured for ₹1,00,000 — you pay only ₹2,000 as premium. The government pays the rest.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

All farmers in India can apply, including:

• ✅ Loanee farmers (who have taken crop loan from bank) — earlier it was compulsory, now voluntary since Kharif 2020
• ✅ Non-loanee farmers (who have not taken any crop loan)
• ✅ Sharecroppers and tenant farmers (who farm on someone else's land)
• ✅ Farmers growing notified crops in notified areas of their state

Important: Since Kharif 2020, PMFBY is 100% voluntary for all farmers. No one is forced to take crop insurance.

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before applying:

1. Aadhaar Card — mandatory for identity verification
2. Bank Account Details — passbook or cancelled cheque (claim money comes to this account)
3. Land Records — Khatauni / 7/12 extract / Patta / land ownership proof
4. Sowing Certificate — from Patwari or village-level officer, confirming which crop you have sown
5. Crop Sowing Declaration — details of crop, area, and season
6. For Tenant/Sharecrop farmers — agreement letter or declaration from land owner + land records

How to Apply Online on pmfby.gov.in

Step 1: Go to the PMFBY Portal

Open https://pmfby.gov.in in your mobile or computer browser.

Step 2: Register / Login

• Click on "Farmer Corner" on the homepage
• If you are a new user, click "Guest Farmer" and register with your mobile number
• You will get an OTP on your phone — enter it to verify
• If you already have an account, login with your mobile number and OTP

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

After login, you will see the application form. Fill in:

• Personal Details — Name, Father's name, Age, Gender, Category (SC/ST/OBC/General)
• Bank Account Details — Account number, IFSC code, Bank name
• Land Details — State, District, Block, Village, Survey number, Area (in hectares)
• Crop Details — Season (Kharif/Rabi), Crop name, Sowing date
• Upload Documents — Aadhaar, Land records, Bank passbook

Step 4: Pay Premium

• The portal will auto-calculate your premium based on crop, area, and sum insured
• Pay the premium online through Net Banking, Debit Card, or UPI

Step 5: Get Confirmation

• After successful payment, you will get an application number and policy number
• Save this number — you will need it to check status and file claims
• You will also get an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile

How to Apply Through Bank or CSC

If you are not comfortable with online application, you can also apply through:

Through Your Bank

1. Visit your nearest bank branch (any nationalised bank, cooperative bank, or RRB)
2. Ask for the PMFBY application form
3. Fill the form and submit your documents
4. Pay the premium amount
5. The bank will process your application and give you a receipt

For Loanee Farmers: If you have a crop loan, your bank may automatically deduct premium. You can opt out if you don't want insurance — give a written declaration to your bank before the cutoff date.

Through Common Service Centre (CSC)

1. Go to your nearest CSC / Jan Seva Kendra
2. The CSC operator will help you fill the form online
3. Submit your documents and pay the premium
4. You will get a receipt with your application number

What Crops Are Covered?

PMFBY covers all crops that are notified by your state government for that season. Common covered crops include:

Kharif: Rice (Dhan), Maize (Makka), Bajra, Jowar, Moong, Urad, Soybean, Groundnut, Cotton, Sugarcane

Rabi: Wheat (Gehun), Gram (Chana), Mustard (Sarson), Barley (Jau), Masoor, Pea (Matar), Linseed (Alsi)

Commercial/Horticultural: Potato, Onion, Tomato, Chilli, Turmeric, Banana, Mango, Apple, Grapes

Check your state's notification on pmfby.gov.in to see which crops are covered in your district.

PMFBY Premium Calculator

You can calculate your exact premium before applying:

1. Go to https://pmfby.gov.in/premium-calculator
2. Select your State, District, Season, Crop, and Area (in hectares)
3. The calculator will show you:
   • Sum Insured (maximum claim amount)
   • Farmer's Premium (what you pay)
   • Government Subsidy (what government pays)

How to Check PMFBY Application Status

Online on Portal

1. Go to https://pmfby.gov.in/applicationStatusCheck
2. Enter your Application Number or Policy Number
3. Enter your mobile number or Aadhaar number
4. Click "Check Status"
5. Your application status will be shown — Pending / Approved / Rejected

Through Helpline

Call the PMFBY Helpline to check status:

• Toll-Free Number: 14447
• Alternate Number: 011-23382012
• Available in Hindi and English

Claim Process — How to Get Insurance Money

When Can You Claim?

You can file a PMFBY claim if your crop is damaged due to:

1. Prevented Sowing / Planting — If you could not sow because of flood, drought, etc.
2. Standing Crop Loss — Damage during growing period due to flood, drought, cyclone, hailstorm, pest attack, landslide, fire, lightning
3. Mid-Season Adversity — If crop is expected to give less than 50% yield due to adverse weather
4. Post-Harvest Loss — Crop damage within 14 days after harvesting due to cyclone, unseasonal rain, or hailstorm (only for crops kept in cut-and-spread condition in the field)
5. Localised Calamity — Hailstorm, landslide, or flood affecting individual farms

How to File a Claim

Step 1: Report your crop loss within 72 hours of the damage

You can report through any of these:

• Crop Insurance App — Download from Google Play Store, click "Report Crop Loss"
• PMFBY Portal — Login at pmfby.gov.in and report online
• Helpline — Call 14447
• Insurance Company — Contact the insurance company office in your district
• Bank / CSC — Inform your bank or nearest CSC

Step 2: Provide details:

• Your policy number and application number
• Type of damage (flood, drought, hailstorm, pest, etc.)
• Photos of damaged crop (if possible)
• Area affected (in hectares)

Step 3: Insurance company will send a surveyor to verify the damage

Step 4: After verification, claim amount will be calculated based on crop cutting experiments and yield data

Step 5: Claim money will be sent directly to your bank account (the one linked with your PMFBY application)

Claim Settlement Time

• Insurance companies are required to settle claims within 2 months of receiving complete claim data from the state government
• For mid-season adversity and localised calamity — interim claim of 25% of sum insured is paid within a few weeks
• You will get an SMS notification when claim money is credited to your account

Important Dates to Remember

Note: Exact dates may change every year. Check pmfby.gov.in or ask your bank for current season deadlines.

PMFBY Helpline & Contact

• Toll-Free Helpline: 14447
• Phone: 011-23382012
• Email: help.agri-insurance@gov.in
• Website: https://pmfby.gov.in
• Crop Insurance App: Available on Google Play Store

You can also contact your district agriculture officer or local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is PMFBY compulsory?

No. Since Kharif 2020, PMFBY is completely voluntary for all farmers, including those who have crop loans.

Can tenant farmers apply?

Yes. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers can apply. They need a land agreement letter or declaration from the land owner along with land records.

What if I miss the last date?

You cannot apply after the cutoff date for that season. Make sure to apply before 31st July (Kharif) or 31st December (Rabi).

How much claim money will I get?

The claim amount depends on the actual yield loss compared to the threshold yield in your area. If there is 100% loss, you can get the full sum insured.

Can I apply for multiple crops?

Yes. You can apply for insurance on multiple crops in the same season if they are notified in your area.

Is there any age limit?

No age limit. Any farmer who grows notified crops can apply.

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• How to Apply for Kisan Credit Card
• How to Get Soil Health Card

This guide was last updated on 16 February 2026. For the latest information, always check the official website pmfby.gov.in.