Quick Summary & Key Takeaways (Featured Snippet)
PMFBY Crop Insurance Premium & Claim Estimator
Simulate crop acreage, season, and damage percentage to calculate farmer premium and projected claim payout.
The Modern PMFBY Framework: Comprehensive Risk Cover from Sowing to Post-Harvest
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is India’s flagship crop insurance scheme administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Covering over 5.5 crore farmer applications annually, the scheme replaced previous yield-index programs (NAIS and MNAIS) by capping farmer premium shares at negligible single-digit rates and extending coverage across the entire agricultural lifecycle.
Unlike traditional insurance policies where actuarial rates can reach 15% to 25% of the crop valuation, PMFBY mandates that farmers pay a uniform statutory rate: 2% for Kharif crops (Paddy, Soybean, Maize, Cotton), 1.5% for Rabi crops (Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Barley), and 5% for commercial and horticultural crops. The entire remaining premium burden is co-financed equally by the Government of India and the respective State Government.
The 5 Statutory Risk Stages Covered under PMFBY
- Prevented Sowing / Planting Risk: If widespread drought, severe deficit rainfall, or adverse seasonal conditions prevent insured farmers from sowing notified crops, an immediate on-account claim of up to 25% of sum insured is disbursed.
- Standing Crop Yield Loss (Sowing to Harvesting): Comprehensive non-preventable natural risk coverage against drought, dry spells, flood, inundation, pests/diseases, landslide, natural fire, and storm. Losses are determined through Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs).
- Mid-Season Adversity: If extreme weather causes expected crop loss exceeding 50% during the mid-season, the government can order an on-account 25% interim relief payout to farmers.
- Localized Calamities: Individual plot-level loss assessment for specific localized perils: hailstorms, landslides, inundation, and cloudbursts.
- Post-Harvest Losses: Individual farm-level coverage available for up to 14 days after harvest for crops stored in "cut and spread" condition in the fields against cyclone, cyclonic rains, and unseasonal downpours.
PMFBY Crop Classification, Premium Caps & Payout Criteria
Operational Gazette Matrix| Crop Category | Representative Crops | Farmer Premium Cap | Govt Subsidy Share | Assessment Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif Season (Food & Oilseeds) | Paddy, Bajra, Maize, Soybean, Groundnut | 2.0% of Sum Insured | Balance premium split 50:50 (Centre/State) | Gram Panchayat CCEs + Satellite verification |
| Rabi Season (Food & Oilseeds) | Wheat, Mustard, Gram, Barley, Lentil | 1.5% of Sum Insured | Balance premium split 50:50 (Centre/State) | Village CCEs + Automatic Weather Stations |
| Commercial & Horticultural Crops | Cotton, Sugarcane, Potato, Onion, Mango | 5.0% of Sum Insured | Balance premium subsidized by Government | Individual plot survey + Drone surveillance |
| Post-Harvest Cut & Spread | All harvested notified food grains | Included in Base Premium | Covers up to 14 days from harvest | Individual farm physical verification |
5-Step Standard Operating Procedure: Reporting Loss & Tracking DBT Claims
Report Within 72 Hours of Calamity
Open the official Crop Insurance App on your smartphone or dial the national farmer toll-free number 14447. Enter your Policy/Application number and submit geotagged photos of damaged crops within 72 hours of the weather event.
Receive Unique Claim Docket Number
Upon successful submission, the system generates an automated central docket number via SMS. This ticket officially locks your claim timestamp and notifies the designated insurance company surveyor.
Joint Ground Survey within 10 Days
A joint survey team comprising the insurance surveyor, the block agriculture officer, and the local village revenue official (Patwari) visits the affected plot within 10 days to assess loss percentage.
Sign Joint Loss Assessment Report
The surveyor records the estimated crop damage percentage on the digital portal. Both the farmer and surveying officer sign the digital assessment form on the spot.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via PFMS
The finalized compensation amount is approved on the National Crop Insurance Portal (pmfby.gov.in) and credited directly to the farmer’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account via PFMS within 15 to 30 days of survey approval.
Masterclass Video Series: PMFBY Claim & Online Portal Walkthrough
Watch comprehensive step-by-step video tutorials demonstrating live crop loss reporting, portal claim status tracking, and offline application procedures.
PMFBY Claim Process & 72-Hour Loss Reporting Rules
Online Form Filling & Real-Time Claim Status Tracking
Frequently Asked Questions: PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
What is the premium rate payable by farmers under PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
Under PMFBY, farmers pay a nominal subsidized premium: 2.0% of the sum insured for all Kharif food and oilseed crops, 1.5% for all Rabi food and oilseed crops, and 5.0% for annual commercial or horticultural crops. The entire remaining actuarial premium is subsidized equally (50:50) by the Central Government and respective State Governments (90:10 in North Eastern States).
What is the mandatory 72-hour intimation rule for localized crop loss?
If crops are damaged due to localized calamities such as hailstorms, landslides, inundation, cloudbursts, or post-harvest cyclone damage, the farmer must report the loss within 72 hours of the event through the official Crop Insurance App, the toll-free helpline (14447), or by informing the local agriculture officer / bank branch.
Is PM Fasal Bima Yojana mandatory for loanee farmers holding a Kisan Credit Card (KCC)?
No. Under the revamped PMFBY operational guidelines, enrollment is 100% voluntary for all farmers, including loanee farmers holding active Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). Loanee farmers who do not wish to be covered must submit an opt-out declaration to their financing bank branch at least seven days before the scheme enrollment cut-off date.
How is crop loss assessed under PMFBY?
Widespread yield loss is assessed through Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) conducted at the Gram Panchayat / Village level, increasingly supported by satellite remote sensing and drone imaging under YES-TECH. Localized calamities (hailstorm, waterlogging) are assessed through individual plot physical surveys by an insurance surveyor and local agriculture officer.
How can farmers check their PMFBY claim status online?
Farmers can visit the official National Crop Insurance Portal (pmfby.gov.in), click on 'Application Status', enter their unique 12-digit Application Number generated during enrollment, and view the real-time processing status, survey report, and Aadhaar-seeded bank credit details.
Does PMFBY cover post-harvest crop losses?
Yes. PMFBY provides post-harvest coverage for up to 14 days from harvesting for crops kept in 'cut and spread' condition in the field for drying, against specific risks such as unseasonal rains, cyclones, and cyclonic rains.
What documents are required to enroll in PMFBY?
Farmers require: 1) Aadhaar Card; 2) Land Record proof (RoR / Khasra / Khatoni); 3) Sowing Certificate / Crop Sowing Declaration issued by Patwari or Sarpanch; 4) Active bank passbook showing IFSC and account number; and 5) Tenancy / Sharecropper agreement (for non-owner tenant cultivators).
What is the national toll-free helpline number for PM Fasal Bima Yojana?
The Ministry of Agriculture operates a dedicated national farmer helpline at 14447 for instant loss reporting, policy verification, and claim tracking across all insurance companies and states.
What is Mid-Season Adversity cover under PMFBY?
Mid-Season Adversity cover provides immediate relief if adverse seasonal weather (drought, dry spell, prolonged flood) occurs during the crop cycle, resulting in expected yield reduction of more than 50%. The state government can notify immediate on-account payment of up to 25% of the expected claim directly to farmers.
Can non-loanee and tenant farmers apply for PMFBY?
Yes. Non-loanee farmers, tenant cultivators, and sharecroppers can freely enroll through the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), bank branch, or directly on pmfby.gov.in by uploading land possession certificates or registered tenancy agreements.
What happens if a farmer is prevented from sowing due to drought or excess rain?
Under 'Prevented Sowing / Planting Risk', if insured farmers in a notified area cannot sow or plant crops due to major deficit rainfall or adverse weather conditions, they are entitled to an immediate claim payout of up to 25% of the total sum insured, and the policy terminates.
How is the claim amount transferred to the farmer's account?
Claims are disbursed directly into the farmer's Aadhaar-seeded bank account via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), eliminating intermediary leakages or commission deductions.
