Fasal Bima Yojana 2026 Crop Insurance With Tiny Premiums
Protect your entire season's income with a premium of just 1.5–5% of sum insured. The government pays the rest. Covers drought, flood, pest attack, unseasonal rain, and post-harvest losses. Over 5.5 crore farmers enrolled.
2%
Max premium for Kharif crops
1.5%
Max premium for Rabi crops
5%
Max premium for horticulture
72 Hours
To report crop loss after damage
✅
KCC Farmers Are Auto-Enrolled — Opt Out If You Don't Want It If you have a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan, your bank automatically enrolls you in PMFBY and deducts premium from your loan account. Check your KCC loan statement to confirm your crop is covered. You can opt out in writing before the deadline if you don't want it.
🌧️ Overview
What Is PMFBY — And How It Protects Your Entire Season
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched in 2016 to provide comprehensive risk coverage to farmers against crop losses due to non-preventable natural risks. Unlike old insurance schemes that covered only specific risks, PMFBY covers all stages of the crop cycle from sowing to post-harvest.
The scheme works through an actuarial premium system — insurance companies charge actuarial premiums (which can be high for risky areas), but the farmer pays only a small fixed percentage. The central and state governments jointly subsidise the remaining premium. This means a farmer might pay ₹500 as premium for a crop insured at ₹50,000 — the government pays the remaining ₹3,000–₹8,000 in premium.
What PMFBY Covers
Risk Type
Coverage Stage
Coverage Detail
Prevented sowing
Pre-sowing
If widespread failure prevents planting due to drought or floods
Standing crop loss
Sowing to harvest
Drought, dry spells, flood, inundation, pest & disease, landslide, storm
Post-harvest losses
Up to 14 days after harvest
Hailstorm, cyclone, unseasonal rain on crop left to dry in field
Localised calamities
During crop
Hailstorm, landslide, inundation affecting specific farms (individual assessment)
Wild animal attack
During crop
Covered in states where notified (add-on)
💰 Premium Rates
Premium Rates — What Farmers Actually Pay
Season / Crop Type
Maximum Farmer's Share
Example on ₹50,000 Sum Insured
Kharif crops (rice, maize, soybean, cotton)
2% of sum insured
Farmer pays ₹1,000 max
Rabi crops (wheat, mustard, gram, lentil)
1.5% of sum insured
Farmer pays ₹750 max
Annual commercial & horticultural crops
5% of sum insured
Farmer pays ₹2,500 max
Actual premium rates are decided by tendering among insurance companies. The farmer pays only the capped percentage — if the actuarial rate is 15%, the farmer pays 2% and government pays 13%. If the actuarial rate is 1.8%, the farmer pays only 1.8% (less than the 2% cap).
Enrollment Deadlines
Season
Crop Sowing Period
Last Date to Enroll
Kharif
June–September
Last date of July (varies by state)
Rabi
October–March
Last date of December (varies by state)
⚠️ Miss the Deadline = No Coverage: PMFBY enrollment has strict deadlines. Late enrollment is not accepted. Check your state agriculture department's notification each season for the exact last date — it can vary by district and crop.
📋 How to Claim
How to Claim Insurance After Crop Loss — 72-Hour Rule Is Critical
The most important rule in PMFBY claims is the 72-hour reporting requirement. You must report crop loss within 72 hours of the damage occurring. Missing this window can void your entire claim.
1
Report Within 72 Hours of DamageImmediately after crop damage, report on the Crop Insurance App (available on Android/iOS), call the insurance company's toll-free number, or inform your bank/CSC/local agriculture officer within 72 hours. Note the complaint/acknowledgment number.
2
Document the DamageTake photographs and videos of the damaged crop immediately. Note the date and approximate extent of damage (percentage of crop affected). This documentation supports your claim.
3
Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE)The insurance company or government agriculture officer conducts a Crop Cutting Experiment in your area to assess the actual yield loss versus the threshold yield. Claims are calculated based on CCE results for area-based claims.
4
Claim SettlementOnce CCE results are available and processed, claim amount is transferred directly to your bank account via DBT. This typically takes 30–60 days after season ends for standing crop losses.
💡 Download the Crop Insurance AppThe official "Crop Insurance" app (search on Google Play or App Store) lets you report claims instantly, track claim status, find insurance company details, and check your policy. It is the fastest way to report crop damage within the 72-hour window.
❓ FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Verified 2026
PMFBY was made voluntary for all farmers (including KCC holders) from 2020 onwards. Banks cannot forcibly enroll you. However, many banks still auto-enroll KCC farmers. You have the right to opt out by submitting a written declaration to your bank before the enrollment deadline.
File a written complaint with the District Agriculture Officer, then escalate to the State Agriculture Department. You can also file a complaint on the PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in) or call the helpline. For large claim disputes, approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (consumer forum) in your district.
Yes. Tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and oral lessees can enroll in PMFBY through a written lease agreement or a declaration from the landowner, along with their crop sowing certificate. They enroll non-loanee farmers category and pay premium directly.
Visit pmfby.gov.in → "Farmer Corner" → "Application Status" and enter your application number or Aadhaar. You can also check via the Crop Insurance mobile app or by calling your insurance company's toll-free number printed on your policy document.
Enroll in Fasal Bima Before This Season's Deadline
Visit any bank, CSC, or go to pmfby.gov.in. Non-loanee farmers apply directly. KCC farmers check if already enrolled. Don't miss the deadline — no late entries accepted.
Disclaimer: MeraHaq is an independent citizen information platform. Not affiliated with any government department or ministry. All information sourced from official .gov.in portals. Entitlements and criteria may vary by state. Last verified: April 2026.