National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) was a central government crop insurance scheme launched on 22 June 1999 to protect farmers from crop losses caused by natural disasters, pests and plant diseases. It covered food crops, oilseeds and approved commercial and horticultural crops from the sowing stage to post-harvest.
Important: National Agriculture Insurance Scheme has been closed by the government. NAIS and the Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) were replaced by Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in 2016. Farmers who want crop insurance now must apply under PMFBY at the official portal pmfby.gov.in.
NAIS ran for over 15 years and was one of the main crop insurance schemes of India. It gave farmers a financial safety net when crops failed because of drought, flood, hailstorm, cyclone, pest attack or plant disease. The scheme also covered localized risks like landslides and inundation in notified areas.
In its place, PMFBY now offers crop insurance at fixed premium rates. Farmers pay 2% of the sum insured for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops. The rest of the premium is shared equally by the central and state governments.
National Agriculture Insurance Scheme - Introduction
National Agriculture Insurance Scheme was started by the central government in 1999 and replaced the earlier Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme from the Rabi 1999-2000 season. The scheme was run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and covered notified crops in notified areas across the country.
NAIS protected farmers against yield losses from natural calamities, pests and diseases. It covered the complete crop cycle, from sowing to post-harvest, and also handled localized losses like hailstorms and landslides. Small and marginal farmers got premium subsidies so that the scheme stayed affordable for them.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Agriculture Insurance Scheme |
| Launched In | 1999 |
| Level | Central |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Status | Closed, replaced by PMFBY in 2016 |
| Current Scheme | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana |
| Kharif Premium (PMFBY) | 2% of sum insured |
| Rabi Premium (PMFBY) | 1.5% of sum insured |
| Helpline | 14447 (KRPH) |
| Official Website | pmfby.gov.in |
Benefits of National Agriculture Insurance Scheme
When NAIS was running, it gave farmers these main benefits:
- Full coverage from sowing to post-harvest stages for food crops, oilseeds and approved commercial and horticultural crops.
- Protection against drought, flood, cyclone, hailstorm, pests, plant diseases and localized risks like landslides and inundation.
- Premium subsidy for small and marginal farmers to keep the cost of insurance low.
- Direct payment of verified claims into the bank account of the farmer after loss assessment.
Eligibility
Eligibility under NAIS was divided into two groups:
Loanee Farmers - Farmers who took a seasonal agricultural operations loan from a bank, cooperative society or other lending institution were covered automatically. The premium was deducted from the loan account itself.
Non-Loanee Farmers - Farmers without a seasonal loan could join on their own by applying before the deadline for each crop season in notified areas.
How to Apply for Crop Insurance Now
Since NAIS is closed, farmers must apply under PMFBY for crop insurance. The online process on pmfby.gov.in is simple.
STEP 1 - Go to the official PMFBY website and open the Farmer Corner section.
STEP 2 - Click on 'Apply for Crop Insurance by Yourself' and register with your mobile number and Aadhaar.
STEP 3 - Select your state, district, block, crop and season (Kharif or Rabi). The portal will show the sum insured and the premium amount.
STEP 4 - Pay the premium online and download the policy receipt. Loanee farmers get enrolled automatically when they take a crop loan from the bank.
For the Kharif 2026 season, enrollment closed on 31 July 2026. Farmers who missed it can apply for the Rabi season when the enrollment window opens around October 2026. States may extend dates in special cases, so check pmfby.gov.in for the latest state-wise cutoff.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready while applying for crop insurance:
- Aadhaar card and a mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
- Land records such as Khasra or Khatauni copy, or the SVAMITVA property card.
- Bank account details for direct transfer of the claim amount.
- Crop details like area sown, crop type and sowing date.
How Claims Are Settled
For localized losses like hailstorm, landslide, inundation or wild animal attack, report the loss within 72 hours. This can be done through the Crop Insurance app, the Krishi Rakshak Portal, the toll-free helpline 14447, or the nearest bank and insurance office. After the survey, the claim amount is credited to the Aadhaar-linked bank account within 30 days. PMFBY has so far insured over 78 crore farmer applications and paid more than Rs 1.83 lakh crore in claims, with Budget 2026-27 setting aside Rs 12,200 crore for crop insurance.
References
More details are available on these official pages:
- PMFBY official portal
- NAIS scheme guidelines PDF
- PMFBY revamped operational guidelines
- Check PMFBY application status
- PMFBY list details
FAQ's
Is National Agriculture Insurance Scheme still running?
No. National Agriculture Insurance Scheme has been closed by the government. It was replaced by Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in 2016.
Which scheme replaced NAIS?
PMFBY replaced NAIS and the Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme in 2016. Farmers now apply for crop insurance under PMFBY.
What is the premium under PMFBY?
Farmers pay 2% of the sum insured for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops and 5% for annual commercial and horticultural crops. The balance is shared by the central and state governments.
Can I still apply under NAIS?
No, new applications under NAIS are not accepted. Apply under PMFBY at pmfby.gov.in instead.
What is the last date for PMFBY enrollment?
For Kharif 2026, the last date was 31 July 2026. Rabi enrollment usually opens in October and closes by December or January, depending on the state.
How do I report a crop loss?
Report the loss within 72 hours through the Crop Insurance app, the Krishi Rakshak Portal or the helpline 14447. The insurance company will survey the field and credit the verified claim to your bank account.
What documents are needed for PMFBY?
Aadhaar card, land records, bank account details and crop details are required for PMFBY enrollment.