Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) 2026: Objective, Benefits, Eligibility, Documents & How to Apply

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) 2026 is a Government of India crop insurance scheme that protects farmers against financial losses caused by crop damage. The scheme provides insurance coverage for notified crops against specified risks such as natural calamities, adverse weather conditions, pests and diseases.

PMFBY was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to provide affordable crop insurance and help farmers manage the financial impact of crop losses.

In this article, farmers can check the objective, benefits, eligibility, required documents, premium rates and application process for PMFBY 2026.

Quick Overview of PMFBY 2026

The official PMFBY portal also provides facilities such as farmer enrolment, premium calculation, application-status tracking and crop-loss reporting.

What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is a crop insurance scheme introduced by the Government of India in 2016.

Its main purpose is to provide financial support to farmers when their insured crops are damaged because of covered risks. The scheme is designed to reduce the financial burden caused by crop losses and support the continuity of farming activities.

The scheme covers farmers cultivating notified crops in notified areas, subject to the applicable State Government notification and PMFBY guidelines. Sharecroppers and tenant farmers can also be eligible where they have the required insurable interest and supporting documents.

Objectives of PMFBY 2026

The major objectives of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana are:

• To provide financial support to farmers suffering crop losses due to insured risks.
• To help stabilise farmers’ income after crop damage.
• To encourage farmers to continue farming after adverse events.
• To encourage the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
• To provide affordable crop insurance coverage to eligible farmers.

Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

1. Affordable Farmer Premium

One of the major features of PMFBY is the capped farmer share of premium:

• Kharif food and oilseed crops: Up to 2%
• Rabi food and oilseed crops: Up to 1.5%
• Annual commercial and horticultural crops: Up to 5%

The remaining actuarial premium, subject to scheme provisions, is supported through government subsidy.

2. Protection Against Crop Loss

PMFBY provides insurance coverage against specified crop losses arising from covered risks. Depending on the applicable provisions, coverage can include risks affecting crops from sowing through harvesting and certain post-harvest situations.

3. Coverage for Localised Risks

The scheme provides provisions for certain localised calamities, subject to the notified conditions and assessment procedures.

4. Post-Harvest Loss Coverage

Specified post-harvest losses can also be covered when the applicable conditions under PMFBY are met.

5. Technology-Based Crop Assessment

PMFBY uses technology-based systems to improve crop-yield estimation, monitoring and assessment. The official portal includes technology platforms such as YESTECH, WINDS and the Crop Loss Assessment Platform (CLAP).

6. Online Application and Tracking

Farmers can use the PMFBY portal for services such as crop-insurance enrolment, premium calculation and application-status tracking.

PMFBY 2026 Premium Rates

The maximum farmer share of premium under the scheme is generally:

The exact premium payable for a farmer depends on the state, district, season, notified crop, insured area and applicable notification. Farmers can use the official PMFBY premium calculator to check the applicable premium.

Who is Eligible for PMFBY 2026?

Farmers may be eligible for PMFBY if they meet the applicable scheme conditions.

Eligible farmers generally include:

• Farmers cultivating notified crops in notified areas.
• Individual farmers with an insurable interest in the insured crop.
• Sharecroppers, subject to applicable State Government documentation requirements.
• Tenant farmers, subject to applicable documentation and State Government requirements.
• Loanee farmers cultivating notified crops, as covered under the applicable provisions.
• Non-loanee farmers who voluntarily enrol under the scheme.

The current PMFBY guidelines state that all farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, growing notified crops in notified areas can be covered, provided they have an insurable interest and fulfil the applicable requirements.

Important: Eligibility, notified crops, notified areas and enrolment deadlines can vary by State and season. Farmers should check the relevant State notification before applying.

Documents Required for PMFBY 2026

The exact documents may vary depending on the farmer category and State. Commonly required documents include:

• Aadhaar Card or Aadhaar-related identification details
• Bank account/passbook details
• Land ownership or land-record documents
• Land possession documents, where applicable
• Sowing certificate or self-declaration of intent to sow, where applicable
• Tenancy agreement or other approved documents for tenant/sharecropper farmers
• Mobile number
• Crop and cultivated-area details
• Other documents prescribed by the concerned State Government

The PMFBY guidelines specifically provide for documents such as land records, land possession certificates, contract/agreement documents for tenant/sharecropper farmers, sowing certificates or self-declarations, and bank passbook details.

How to Apply for PMFBY 2026?

Farmers can enrol through the available PMFBY channels, subject to the applicable State and seasonal arrangements.

Step 1: Visit the Official PMFBY Portal

Go to the official PMFBY website.

Step 2: Open Farmer Corner

The official portal provides a Farmer Corner through which eligible farmers can access crop-insurance enrolment services.

Step 3: Register Your Details

Provide the required farmer information, including personal, residential and bank-account details.

The current farmer-registration form asks for details such as name, mobile number, age, farmer type, address, identification details and bank-account information.

Step 4: Enter Crop and Land Details

Provide the required details about the insured crop, cultivated area and land, along with the documents required under the applicable State and scheme provisions.

Step 5: Check the Premium

Use the official PMFBY Premium Calculator to check the applicable premium based on the year, season, State, district, crop and area.

Step 6: Pay the Applicable Premium

Pay the farmer’s applicable share of the premium through the permitted enrolment channel.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Review all the information carefully and submit the application before the prescribed cut-off date.

Other Ways to Enrol

Farmers may also be able to enrol through authorised channels such as:

• Banks
• Common Service Centres (CSCs)
• Authorised insurance intermediaries
• Other channels notified for the concerned State

The current PMFBY guidelines specify different enrolment/documentation arrangements for loanee and non-loanee farmers.

How to Report Crop Loss Under PMFBY?

If a farmer suffers a covered loss, the loss should be reported through the prescribed channel within the applicable time limit.

For certain localised risks and specified post-harvest losses, the current guidelines require the farmer to report the loss to the concerned bank, financial institution, channel partner or insurer within 72 hours.

Farmers can also use the official PMFBY portal to access crop-loss reporting and grievance-related services. The portal lists the Krishi Rakshak Portal & Helpline (KRPH) and the helpline number 14447.

Important Points Farmers Should Remember

• PMFBY is a crop insurance scheme, not a general cash-support scheme.
• Only notified crops and notified areas are covered.
• Premium rates and enrolment deadlines can vary depending on the crop, season and State notification.
• Tenant and sharecropper farmers should keep valid supporting documents ready.
• Farmers should provide correct land, crop, area and bank-account details.
• Avoid duplicate insurance coverage for the same crop and land.
• Report eligible crop losses within the prescribed time.
• Always check the official PMFBY portal or the concerned State notification for the latest enrolment details.