PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Farmers across India can protect eligible agricultural crops against specified natural calamities and other insured risks through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The government-backed crop insurance scheme aims to reduce the financial impact of crop losses and support farmers during difficult agricultural seasons.

In a recent public awareness message, the PMFBY campaign highlighted four important features of the scheme: insurance for notified crops, coverage across agricultural seasons, affordable farmer premium rates and an accessible enrolment process.

The scheme covers notified food grain, oilseed, commercial and horticultural crops, subject to state-specific notifications and eligibility conditions.

Farmers interested in enrolling should check whether their crop and agricultural area are covered under the current season's notification.

PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Important Details

The premium percentages represent standard maximum farmer contribution rates under the scheme. Actual payable premiums depend on the applicable crop, season, insurance notification and scheme provisions.

What Is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a crop insurance programme designed to provide financial protection to eligible farmers against specified agricultural risks.

Farming is affected by several uncertainties, including rainfall patterns, extreme weather conditions and other natural events.

When insured crops suffer losses covered by the scheme, eligible farmers may receive compensation according to the applicable assessment and claim settlement rules.

The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden associated with agricultural losses.

However, PMFBY is not a guarantee that every crop loss will result in compensation.

The crop must be notified, the farmer must have valid coverage, and the loss must satisfy the relevant insurance conditions.

Which Crops Are Covered Under PMFBY?

The PMFBY awareness message identifies several categories of crops eligible for insurance.

1. Food Grain Crops

Notified food grain crops may be covered under the scheme.

These can include crops such as rice, wheat and other cereals or pulses, depending on the relevant state and seasonal notification.

Coverage is not automatically available for every food grain crop in every district.

2. Oilseed Crops

Eligible oilseed crops may also be insured.

Examples can include mustard, groundnut and soybean where these crops are notified under the scheme.

Farmers should verify the exact crop list for their agricultural area.

3. Commercial Crops

Certain commercial crops are included in PMFBY coverage.

The availability of insurance depends on the notified crop, season and applicable state arrangements.

4. Horticultural Crops

Eligible horticultural crops may also receive protection under the scheme.

However, coverage can vary significantly between states and crop categories.

Farmers should check the current notification rather than assuming that all fruits and vegetables are automatically covered.

PMFBY Coverage for Kharif, Rabi and Annual Crops

The scheme provides insurance arrangements across different agricultural seasons.

Kharif Season: This generally includes crops cultivated during the monsoon period, such as rice, maize, soybean and other notified crops.

Rabi Season: This includes eligible winter-season crops such as wheat, mustard and gram.

Annual Commercial and Horticultural Crops: Certain crops grown over longer cultivation periods may also qualify for coverage under the applicable notification.

The exact enrolment dates and insured crops differ by state, district and season.

Farmers should check the relevant seasonal notification before applying.

PMFBY Premium Rates 2026: How Much Do Farmers Pay?

One of the main features of PMFBY is the relatively low premium contribution prescribed for eligible farmers.

These percentages describe the farmer's share under the standard premium framework.

The actuarial insurance premium may be higher, with the remaining amount supported through applicable government subsidy arrangements.

Farmers should verify the actual premium shown for their notified crop and location.

PMFBY Premium Calculation: Example

Suppose an eligible farmer has a notified Kharif crop with a sum insured of ₹50,000.

At a farmer premium rate of 2%, the contribution would be:

₹50,000 × 2% = ₹1,000

For a notified Rabi food grain or oilseed crop with the same sum insured, a 1.5% contribution would amount to ₹750.

These calculations are illustrative.

The actual premium depends on the notified crop, applicable sum insured and current scheme conditions.

The sum insured is also not the amount automatically payable whenever crop damage occurs.

What Types of Crop Losses Are Covered?

PMFBY provides protection against specified risks under different coverage categories.

Prevented Sowing or Planting

Eligible farmers may receive protection where adverse seasonal conditions prevent cultivation, subject to the prescribed criteria.

Standing Crop Losses

The scheme provides coverage for specified risks affecting insured standing crops during the growing season.

These may include certain weather-related and other natural events covered by the notification.

Localized Calamities

Specified localized events may qualify for individual farm-level loss assessment.

Farmers must follow the relevant reporting requirements.

Post-Harvest Losses

Certain crops may qualify for limited post-harvest protection against specified natural calamities.

The conditions depend on the crop, harvesting stage and applicable insurance provisions.

Who Can Apply for PMFBY?

PMFBY is available to eligible farmers cultivating notified crops in notified areas, subject to the scheme's requirements.

Both loanee and non-loanee farmers may be eligible.

Participation under the current framework is generally voluntary.

Applicants must have an insurable interest in the notified crop and meet the relevant documentation requirements.

The precise conditions may differ depending on landholding status, cultivation arrangements and state-level implementation.

Farmers should confirm eligibility before paying the premium.

How to Apply for PM Fasal Bima Yojana Online

Farmers interested in crop insurance can use the official PMFBY portal.

Step 1: Visit https://pmfby.gov.in.

Step 2: Open the available farmer registration or application facility.

Step 3: Review the relevant crop season and application requirements.

Step 4: Enter the prescribed personal, agricultural and bank account details.

Step 5: Select the eligible notified crop and provide the required land or cultivation information.

Step 6: Upload the necessary documents, where applicable.

Step 7: Review the premium and insurance details.

Step 8: Complete the application and payment process through the authorized channel.

Step 9: Save the acknowledgement for future reference.

The actual application workflow may vary according to the portal's current design and the applicant's circumstances.

Can Farmers Apply Offline?

Farmers who are unable to complete the online application independently may seek assistance through authorized banks, insurance intermediaries or Common Service Centres, where the service is available.

Applicants should ensure that the operator uses the official enrolment system.

They should also verify the crop, season, sum insured and premium before completing the application.

An official acknowledgement should be retained after successful registration.

What Documents May Be Required?

The documentation requirements depend on the application category and current guidelines.

Farmers may need identity details, bank account information, land records and documents establishing cultivation of the notified crop.

Aadhaar-related information may also be required under the applicable identification process.

Tenant farmers and sharecroppers may need additional documents demonstrating their insurable interest.

The exact checklist should be confirmed through the official PMFBY portal or an authorized enrolment channel.

How Can Farmers Report Crop Damage?

Farmers experiencing damage to insured crops should promptly contact the appropriate reporting channel.

For certain localized calamities and post-harvest losses, the general reporting requirement is within 72 hours of the incident.

The Kisan Helpline at 14447 can provide assistance with crop insurance-related queries.

Farmers should retain their policy details, crop information and evidence of the damage where appropriate.

However, not every claim category follows the same reporting and assessment procedure.

Widespread crop losses may be assessed through prescribed area-based mechanisms.

How Is Crop Insurance Compensation Calculated?

PMFBY claim amounts depend on the applicable coverage category and assessment results.

For widespread yield losses, the scheme generally uses a prescribed calculation based on the shortfall between threshold yield and actual yield, subject to the applicable rules.

For certain localized and post-harvest losses, individual assessment procedures may apply.

Compensation is therefore not a fixed payment available to every insured farmer.

The actual claim amount can differ depending on the nature and extent of the insured loss.

What Are the Main Benefits of PMFBY?

PMFBY aims to provide financial protection against specified agricultural risks.

Affordable farmer premium rates can make crop insurance more accessible.

The inclusion of different notified crop categories allows eligible farmers to seek coverage across agricultural seasons.

The scheme also provides structured procedures for reporting and assessing insured losses.

However, farmers should understand the applicable exclusions, deadlines and claim requirements before enrolling.

Insurance is most useful when the policy accurately reflects the crop being cultivated and the risks covered.

Important Precautions for Farmers

Farmers should verify that their crop and area are notified for the relevant season.

They should not rely on unofficial messages claiming that all farmers are automatically insured.

The premium should be paid only through authorized channels.

Applicants should retain the insurance acknowledgement and verify that their crop and bank details are correct.

They should also avoid sharing banking passwords, OTPs or UPI PINs with unknown individuals offering insurance assistance.

PM Fasal Bima Yojana 2026: Latest Update

The latest PMFBY awareness message highlights the scheme's four important features: coverage for notified agricultural crops, insurance across eligible crop seasons, affordable premium contributions and accessible enrolment facilities.

Farmers cultivating eligible Kharif, Rabi or annual commercial and horticultural crops can explore insurance options through authorized channels.

Before applying, they should check the current crop notification, enrolment deadline, premium amount and policy conditions.

For assistance with crop insurance and damage reporting, farmers can contact the Kisan Helpline at 14447.

Source Credit: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) – Public awareness communication on crop insurance coverage, premium rates and enrolment.

Official Website: https://pmfby.gov.in

Kisan Helpline: 14447

Disclaimer: PMFBY eligibility, notified crops, premium contributions, enrolment deadlines and claim conditions vary according to the applicable state, district, season and insurance notification. Farmers should verify current information through official PMFBY channels before enrolling. Crop insurance does not guarantee compensation for every agricultural loss.