Who is eligible for PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
Any farmer growing a notified crop in a notified area qualifies — landowners, sharecroppers, and tenant farmers alike, as long as you have valid proof of cultivation. Farmers with a Kisan Credit Card or a crop loan are automatically enrolled by their bank; others must apply directly before the season’s cutoff date.
What is PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
Launched in 2016, PMFBY is the world’s largest crop insurance scheme by number of farmers covered — over 4.19 crore farmers enrolled in 2024–25, up from 3.17 crore just two years earlier. It protects against yield loss from natural calamities, pests, and disease, at a premium so heavily subsidized that most farmers pay a small fraction of the real cost.
Since launch, the scheme has paid out ₹1,63,519 crore in claims against ₹1,67,475 crore reported — a 98% settlement rate, a meaningful number given how often insurance schemes get judged on whether they actually pay out.
Key details at a glance
| Detail | Amount / Criteria |
|---|---|
| Kharif premium (farmer share) | 2% of sum insured |
| Rabi premium (farmer share) | 1.5% of sum insured |
| Commercial/horticultural premium | 5% of sum insured |
| Remaining premium | Split 50:50 Centre/State (90:10 in NE & Himalayan states) |
| Claim reporting window | 72 hours from the damage event |
| Kharif 2026 registration deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| Official portal | pmfby.gov.in |
Who qualifies
- Any farmer — landowner, sharecropper, or tenant — growing a notified crop in a notified area for that season.
- Loanee farmers (anyone with a Kisan Credit Card or an active crop loan from a bank, cooperative, or PACS) are automatically enrolled, with the premium deducted directly from the loan account.
- Non-loanee farmers must apply voluntarily through the official portal, a Common Service Center, or their bank branch, before the season’s registration deadline.
What you get
- Coverage across the full cropping cycle — pre-sowing risks, standing crop losses, and up to 14 days of post-harvest field-drying losses from cyclones or unseasonal rain.
- On-account claim payments for prevented sowing or planting, so you’re not left with zero support if the season fails before you even plant.
- Localized loss assessment for hailstorm, landslide, and inundation, assessed at the individual plot level rather than only at a broader area average — meaning your specific field’s loss is what counts, not just a district-wide estimate.
- Claims processed through the Digiclaim Module, integrated with the government’s PFMS payment system since Kharif 2022, to achieve faster, more transparent settlement than in the scheme’s earlier years.
How to apply
- If you have a KCC or crop loan: you’re likely already enrolled — check your bank passbook or loan statement for a “Fasal Bima Premium Deducted” entry to confirm.
- If you don’t have a loan: register directly at pmfby.gov.in, or visit your nearest CSC or bank branch, before the season’s cutoff (31 July 2026 for Kharif 2026).
- Enter your land details using your survey/khasra number, select your crop, and the portal will automatically calculate your premium.
- Pay via UPI, net banking, debit card, or in cash at a CSC/bank if applying offline.
- Save your policy certificate — you’ll need the policy number for any future claim.
Filing a claim — the 72-hour rule matters
If your crop suffers localized damage (hailstorm, flooding, landslide), you must report it within 72 hours through the PMFBY app, the portal, or the Krishi Rakshak Helpline (14447). Missing this window can mean losing the claim entirely for that specific damage event, even if the crop loss itself is genuine and severe — this is the single most important operational detail to know before you need it, not after.
Common mistakes that delay or block claims
- Missing the 72-hour reporting window. This is the most common reason a genuine claim gets rejected — mark the helpline number somewhere accessible before the season starts, not after damage occurs.
- Assuming the loan closure automatically cancels your insurance. If you pay off or transfer your crop loan mid-season, confirm your PMFBY enrolment status separately — it doesn’t always carry over automatically.
- Not opting out in writing if you don’t want coverage. Loanee farmers are enrolled by default; if you genuinely don’t want it, you must submit a written declaration to your bank at least 7 days before the cutoff — silence is treated as consent to enrol.
- Confusing “notified crop” and “notified area” with your actual crop and location. Coverage only applies to specific crop-area combinations notified each season by the state government — check the current season’s notification for your district rather than assuming your crop is automatically covered everywhere.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana Eligibility 2026: FAQs
Do tenant farmers and sharecroppers qualify?
Yes — PMFBY explicitly covers sharecroppers and tenant farmers, not just landowners, as long as they have valid proof of cultivating the notified crop.
What’s the actual premium I’d pay?
For a ₹35,000 sum insured on one hectare with a ₹4,000 actuarial premium, a Kharif farmer pays just 2% — around ₹800 — with the government covering the remaining ₹3,200.
Is enrolment automatic, or do I have to apply?
Automatic if you have a Kisan Credit Card or crop loan; voluntary application required otherwise.
What crops are covered?
Notified food crops (cereals, millets, pulses), oilseeds, and annual commercial/horticultural crops — the specific list varies by state and season, set through each season’s official notification.
How quickly are claims paid after approval?
The Digiclaim Module, integrated with PFMS since Kharif 2022, is designed to speed up settlement, though exact timelines vary by claim complexity and insurer.
What happens if I miss the registration deadline?
You lose coverage for that entire season — there’s no late enrolment window once the cutoff passes, so missing 31 July 2026 means no Kharif 2026 coverage regardless of circumstances.
Can I insure the same crop on multiple plots?
Yes, as long as each plot is registered with its own accurate survey/khasra number and area under the notified crop.
Related schemes
For income support alongside crop insurance, see our guide to PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. For your full range of scheme eligibility, use the Haqdaar eligibility checker.
Last verified: July 2026. Information compiled from the official PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in), PIB releases, and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. This is independent informational content, not affiliated with the Government of India. Premium rates and notified crop/area lists can change by season and state. Always verify current details on the official portal before applying.