Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central government income support scheme for farmers launched on 24 February 2019. Announced in the 2019 Interim Budget and made effective from 1 December 2018, the scheme aims to supplement the income of small and marginal farmer families. Under PM-KISAN, all eligible cultivable land-holding farmers’ families receive ₹6,000 per year, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. These payments are made directly into the farmer’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), using Aadhaar-seeded accounts. A farmer’s family is defined as a household (husband, wife and minor children) owning cultivable land as per land recordscag.gov.in. The scheme has been fully funded by the Government of India and implemented through a farmer-centric digital platform to ensure transparency.
Since the first instalment in early 2019, PM-KISAN has grown rapidly. By August 2023, over ₹2.60 lakh crore had been disbursed to more than 11 crore farmer families nationwide. The scheme was launched in Gorakhpur, UP by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the DBT of the first instalment of ₹2,000 to selected farmers. Over time, the coverage expanded to almost all states (for example, West Bengal joined from the 8th instalment onward) and beneficiary numbers rose.
Recent updates (2024–2025): PM-KISAN continues to roll out every four months. On 5 October 2024, PM Modi released the 18th instalment, disbursing about ₹20,000 crore to ~9.4 crore farmers nationwide. This brought the total scheme payouts to over ₹3.45 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers. The scheme’s 19th instalment was released on 24 February 2025 in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The 19th installment credited about ₹22,000 crore directly into farmers’ accounts across India. (In Bihar alone, some 75 lakh farmer families received about ₹1,600 crore in the 19th instalment.) In six years since its inception, PM-KISAN has transferred roughly ₹3.7 lakh crore to farmers’ accounts.
Eligibility Criteria
- Landholding: Only farmer families owning cultivable land (as per land records) are eligible. The family’s total landholding must be up to 2 hectares to qualify. (Combined ownership over 2 hectares is not covered under this scheme.)
- Beneficiary Family: A “farmer family” means husband, wife, and minor children who own the land. Joint or co-owners of land each qualify if each family meets the criteria. Farmers must register their land records and Aadhaar details in the database; benefits are paid only if the name appears in the record.
- Aadhaar and Account: Each eligible farmer must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account for DBT. Registration requires the farmer’s Aadhaar and a valid bank account with IFSC code.
Exclusions: Certain categories of affluent or official households are not eligible for PM-KISAN. If any family member falls into these categories, the family cannot receive benefits:
- Institutional landowners (land owned by institutions, government bodies, etc.)
- Former or current constitutional post holders (President, Vice-President, Governor, etc.)
- Former or current Union/State Ministers and Members of Parliament/State Legislatures; Mayors of municipalities; Chairpersons of district panchayats
- Serving or retired government officials (central or state) and regular local government employees (except low-grade staff)
- Pensioners drawing monthly pension ≥ ₹10,000 (excluding low-grade staff)
- Households where any member paid income tax in the last assessment year
- Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, Architects, etc. practicing their profession)
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) by Income Tax Act terms
The table below summarizes eligibility:
| Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Small/Marginal farmer (≤2 ha land) | Eligible (receives ₹6,000/year) |
| Not eligible (the scheme is only for landholders) | Not eligible (scheme is only for landholders) |
| Institutional land owner | Not eligible |
| Family member is Minister/MP/MLA/etc. | Not eligible |
| Family member is a government officer or high pensioner | Not eligible |
| Family member is a professional (doctor/CA/etc.) | Not eligible |
| Family member is professional (doctor/CA/etc.) | Not eligible |
| Multi-tasking Staff (MTS) / Class IV govt staff | Eligible (not excluded) |
To summarise: Eligible farmers are smallholders listed in land records, with no excluded category in their family. They must link Aadhaar and a bank account to receive payments.
Benefits of PM-KISAN
- Cash Support: Every eligible farmer family gets a total of ₹6,000 per year, disbursed as three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. These instalments are typically scheduled every four months (covering Dec–Mar, Apr–Jul, Aug–Nov).
- Direct Transfer: The money is transferred directly into the farmer’s bank account (DBT), eliminating middlemen. The payments are Aadhaar-seeded, so farmers need to keep their Aadhaar linked and bank details up-to-date.
- Timely Support: This regular income helps farmers buy seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, and meet household needs without resorting to high-interest loans. (Officially, the scheme “aims to supplement the financial needs of small and marginal farmers for inputs” to ensure proper crops and yields.)
- Coverage & Impact: So far, the scheme has benefited over 11 crore farmer families. By late 2024, total disbursements exceeded ₹3.45 lakh crore (and about ₹3.7 lakh crore by early 2025). This large-scale transfer has injected cash directly into rural areas every four months.
In short, PM-KISAN provides stable income support of ₹6,000 per year to the smallest farmers. This money goes straight to the farmer’s bank account, helping cover farm expenses and increasing rural purchasing power.
How to Apply (Application Process)
Farmers can apply for PM-KISAN through online or offline modes:
- Online Registration:
- Go to the official PM-KISAN portal at pmkisan.gov.in and click on ‘Farmers Corner’ → ‘New Farmer Registration’.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the CAPTCHA, then click “Click here to continue”. The system will verify that your Aadhaar is not already registered under PM-KISAN.
- On the registration form, select your state/district/block/village. Enter the farmer’s name, gender, category, Aadhaar, bank IFSC and account number, and land details. (Fields like date of birth or father’s name may be optional.)
- Review the details and click “Submit for Aadhaar Authentication”. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar – enter it to complete registration.
- Upon success, you will get a Registration ID. Local officials will then verify the application. If all details are correct, the farmer is added to the beneficiary list and instalments will be released to the account.
- Offline Registration (Common Service Centre or Agriculture Office):
- Obtain the PM-KISAN Registration Form (available at your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), Gram Panchayat office, or Block Agriculture Office).
- Fill in the form with the same details (name, Aadhaar, land records, bank account, etc.). Include document proofs: Aadhaar card, land record/passbook, bank passbook, and identity (like ration card). (Keep copies of all documents.)
- Submit the form and copies of documents to the agriculture officer or CSC operator. They will enter your details into the portal.
- The official will verify your documents. Once approved, you will see your beneficiary status on the portal and start receiving instalments.
Required Documents: For both methods, keep ready:
- Aadhaar card (front copy)
- Proof of landholding (land revenue record or passbook)
- Bank passbook (for account number and IFSC)
- Passport-size photo of the farmer (if needed for offline form)
- Ration card or other ID (to verify family details).
Beneficiary Status Check: Once applied, farmers can check their status online. On the portal’s Farmers Corner, use the “Beneficiary Status” link. Enter your Aadhaar, bank account or mobile number to see the current status (how many instalments released, dates, etc.). The portal will show if you are registered and when payments have been made.
Correction of Details: If your bank account or other details are incorrect or have changed, you should update them immediately. This can be done:
- Online: Log in to the PM-KISAN portal (or have the local CSC do it) and use the “Bank Details Correction” or “Update Self-Registered Data” options. You can edit bank/IFSC, Aadhaar, or other fields as allowed.
- Offline: Alternatively, visit the nearest Agriculture/CSC office with your new passbook. Fill a request/correction form to update the portal records. Officials can then approve the changes so future instalments go to the correct account.
Grievance/Appeal: If a farmer believes they are eligible but not listed, they should approach their local agriculture office, Panchayat or Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Provide land record proofs and Aadhaar. State governments have set up grievance cells/committees to review such cases. On the portal, farmers can also use “Register Complaint” in the Contact/Help section to raise issues (such as wrong name spelling or omission).
Overall, the application process is designed to be simple and farmer-friendly. Many farmers register at nearby Common Service Centres (CSCs) or with the help of local agricultural officers. Once registered and verified, the ₹2,000 instalments will be directly credited to the farmer’s bank account every four months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is e-KYC or Aadhaar linking, and is it mandatory?
A: Yes, Aadhaar linking and e-KYC are mandatory for PM-KISAN benefits. Your Aadhaar must be linked to your bank account, and the same Aadhaar must be used in registration. If a farmer has not done e-KYC (i.e., has not authenticated their Aadhaar on the PM-KISAN portal), instalments will be held back. You should visit a CSC or bank to complete e-KYC by March 31 (or as per current deadlines). Without Aadhaar and OTP verification, you cannot register or update your details. - Q: How do I check my PM-KISAN instalment status?
A: On the official portal’s Farmers Corner → Beneficiary Status, enter your Aadhaar or account number. This will show which instalments have been deposited into your account and when. You will see the date and amount of each installment release. If you applied offline, first ensure your details are correctly registered in the system (you can verify this via “Beneficiary Status” as well). - Q: My bank details have changed/are wrong. How can I correct them?
A: You should update your bank account details immediately to receive payments. Either use the Account Update option on the PM-KISAN portal (if you have login access) or visit a local CSC/agriculture office with your new passbook. Submit a Bank Details Correction request form. The officials will verify and update the portal so that future instalments go to the correct account. It may take a few weeks for the next instalment to reflect after correction. - Q: I am not receiving payments but I think I am eligible. What can I do?
A: First, check your beneficiary status on the portal (Farmers Corner). If it shows “Not Registered” or “Rejected”, you should reapply or correct your data. Visit your Block/Tehsil or CSC to resubmit your application with the correct documents. If your name was missed in the initial listing, the local agriculture office or District Collectorate may have an appeal process. Provide proof of landholding (passbook) and identity. State agriculture departments often release circulars on grievance redressal – follow any local notices. Additionally, you can register a complaint on the PM-KISAN portal under “Contact Us” to seek redress. - Q: Which website should I use to apply or get information?
A: The official PM-KISAN portal is at pmkisan.gov.in. This is the main site for registration, status checking, and official information. Farmers should always use this website (or their nearest CSC) for applying. Some state agriculture departments also provide PM-KISAN updates on their own websites or notice boards, but the central portal is the authoritative source. For example, your state’s Agricultural or Farmer Welfare department website may publish related news, but payments are processed through the central DBT system. - Q: Are there separate schemes or portals at the state level?
A: PM-KISAN is a central scheme. However, some states have additional farmer support programs. If your state has its own farmer welfare scheme (e.g. “Raj Kisan Yojana” in some states), you should check the respective state government website or agriculture portal. For PM-KISAN specifically, all states (now including West Bengal from the 8th instalment) use the central PM-KISAN portal for payments. You can also inquire at your local agriculture office if your state provides an online portal or mobile app to check PM-KISAN status.
Useful Links
- PM-KISAN Official Portal: https://pmkisan.gov.in – Online registration, beneficiary status, FAQs, and helpdesk.
- Ministry of Agriculture (Government of India): https://agricoop.nic.in/ – Official site with scheme details and press releases.
- State Agriculture Departments: (If your state has a portal, you may find additional information there. For example, many state agriculture websites list PM-KISAN guidelines and contact numbers.)
Sources: Official government releases and guidelines have been used to compile this information. Always refer to the PM-KISAN portal or local agriculture office for the most current details.