PM Fasal Bima Yojana Goes High-Tech: New Digital Technologies to Speed Up Crop Loss Assessment and Insurance Claims

Key Highlights

• WINDS network will provide hyperlocal village-level weather data for accurate crop loss assessment.

• YS-Tech now uses remote sensing and scientific data across 344 districts in 12 states.

• NCIP and DigiClaim Architecture will speed up online registration, claim processing, and direct payments.

• Insurance companies and states may have to pay 12% interest for delays in claims or premium contributions.

• CLAP App and mandatory escrow accounts from 2025 will improve transparency and faster claim settlements.

The Central Government has introduced a major technology-driven upgrade to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to make crop insurance more transparent, accurate, and farmer-friendly. With the integration of advanced digital technologies such as WINDS, YS-Tech, National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP), DigiClaim Architecture, and Crop Loss Assessment App (CLAP), the government aims to improve crop loss assessment, reduce claim settlement time, and ensure farmers receive insurance benefits without unnecessary delays.

The information was shared by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur in a written reply in Parliament.

Government Focuses on Faster and Transparent Crop Insurance

The government is continuously modernizing PMFBY by using digital technologies that can accurately record crop damage caused by natural disasters and extreme weather events. These initiatives are designed to simplify the insurance process, improve transparency, and ensure eligible farmers receive timely financial assistance.

The integrated digital ecosystem also minimizes paperwork, improves coordination between government departments and insurance companies, and enables faster claim settlements.

WINDS Network to Deliver Hyperlocal Weather Data

One of the biggest improvements under PMFBY is the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS), which is developing a nationwide network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs).

The objective of WINDS is to provide highly accurate weather information at the village and field level, helping improve crop insurance assessments, agricultural advisories, and disaster risk management.

At present, the project is being implemented in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Key progress under WINDS includes:

• Installation approvals granted for 16,843 locations

• Civil work completed at 1,188 locations

• 892 AWS and ARGs already installed

This hyperlocal weather data will help create more reliable records of weather-related crop damage.

YS-Tech to Improve Scientific Crop Loss Assessment

The government has been implementing YS-Tech under PMFBY since 2023 to scientifically estimate crop production and crop losses using remote sensing technology and advanced scientific data.

Initially introduced for crops such as rice and millet, the technology has now been expanded to include crops like soybean.

To improve transparency, the government has made it mandatory to assign 30% weightage to YS-Tech data while assessing crop losses under the scheme.

YS-Tech Now Operational in 344 Districts

During 2025-26, YS-Tech was used in 344 districts across 12 states, reflecting its growing adoption across the country.

Several states have assigned even higher weightage to YS-Tech data according to their requirements:

• Madhya Pradesh: 100% weightage

• Maharashtra: 50% weightage

• Uttar Pradesh: 50% weightage

• Odisha: 40% weightage

• Karnataka: 40% weightage

The government is also regularly reviewing the technology to further improve its accuracy and effectiveness.

National Crop Insurance Portal Digitizes the Entire Process

To simplify the implementation of PMFBY, the government has developed the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).

Through this digital platform, farmers can complete the entire insurance process online, including:

• Farmer registration

• Premium submission

• Maintenance of insured farmer records

• Information sharing

• Direct transfer of insurance claims to bank accounts

The portal has significantly reduced paperwork while increasing transparency and efficiency throughout the insurance process.

DigiClaim Architecture to Accelerate Claim Settlement

Since 2022, the government has implemented the DigiClaim Architecture, which integrates the National Crop Insurance Portal, the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), and insurance companies' payment systems.

This digital integration enables better monitoring of insurance claims, reduces processing delays, and ensures faster and more transparent payments directly to eligible farmers.

12% Interest on Delayed Crop Insurance Claims

To protect farmers from unnecessary delays, the government has introduced a strict provision regarding claim settlement.

If an insurance company fails to release crop insurance claims within the prescribed timeline, it will be required to pay the claim amount along with 12% annual interest.

Similarly, if a state government delays releasing its share of the insurance premium, it will also be liable to pay 12% interest.

The Central Government has also separated its premium contribution from the state government's share to prevent delays in claim payments caused by pending state contributions.

Escrow Accounts and CLAP App to Increase Transparency

Beginning in 2025, all states have been required to open escrow accounts for depositing their share of the insurance premium, ensuring timely availability of funds.

The government has also strengthened digital monitoring through mobile applications:

• CCE Agri-App is being used to upload Crop Cutting Experiment (CCE) data directly to the National Crop Insurance Portal.

• Crop Loss Assessment App (CLAP) digitally records farm-level damage caused by localized disasters and post-harvest losses.

The use of the CLAP App has now been made mandatory across all states and Union Territories implementing PMFBY.

Technology-Driven PMFBY Expected to Benefit Farmers

The government's latest technology initiatives are expected to make crop insurance more reliable, transparent, and efficient. With hyperlocal weather monitoring, scientific crop assessment, fully digital claim processing, escrow-based fund management, and strict timelines backed by interest penalties, farmers are likely to receive insurance benefits much faster than before.

These digital reforms also strengthen accountability among insurance companies and state governments while ensuring that genuine crop losses are assessed more accurately, helping farmers receive timely financial support during difficult agricultural seasons.

Also Read: Rice Dwarf Disease Spreading Rapidly in Paddy: Experts Advise Farmers to Monitor Fields and Avoid Unnecessary Pesticide Sprays

CMV360 Says

The integration of advanced digital technologies into the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana marks a significant step toward modernizing India's crop insurance system. Initiatives such as WINDS, YS-Tech, NCIP, DigiClaim Architecture, and CLAP are expected to improve the accuracy of crop loss assessments, enhance transparency, and reduce claim settlement time. With provisions like mandatory escrow accounts and 12% interest on delayed payments, the government aims to ensure that farmers receive insurance benefits quickly and efficiently, making PMFBY more dependable and farmer-centric.