The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana is a flagship Central Sector scheme launched by the Government of India in 2019 to provide income support to small and marginal farmers across the country.
Overview of PM-Kisan Scheme till date:
Objective:
To provide direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to all eligible landholding farmers, payable in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each every four months.
Beneficiaries:
Over 9.7 crore farmers registered under the scheme across India.
Total Disbursement:
₹3.69 lakh crore has been transferred so far directly to farmers’ bank accounts through 19 installments as of early 2025.
20th Installment Launch:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 20th installment on August 2, 2025, from Varanasi. Over ₹20,500 crore was disbursed to more than 9.7 crore beneficiaries in this installment alone.
Eligibility:
Farmers who own cultivable land as per land records and are included in the scheme are eligible. Aadhaar linkage and eKYC verification are mandatory for registration.
Application:
Farmers can register themselves via the official PM-Kisan portal (pmkisan.gov.in) and add land records, Aadhaar details to get enrolled. States help in verifying and updating records.
Latest Updates (As on September 2025):
The government is focusing on wider saturation and inclusion of all eligible beneficiaries. A nationwide campaign involving Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and state officials is underway to ensure maximum direct benefit transfer without leakage.
Efforts are ongoing to integrate newer tools like the Kisan eMitra chatbot and AgriStack for personalized support.
Upcoming 21st Installment:
Expected to be released by October or November 2025, possibly before the Diwali festival. Official dates yet to be announced by the Agriculture Ministry.
Benefits of PM-Kisan Scheme
- Provides timely financial assistance to meet agricultural needs like seeds, fertilizers, and labor costs.
- Reduces dependency on informal loans from moneylenders and private agents.
- Boosts farmers’ purchasing power and helps cope with market fluctuations.
- Digital and direct transfer mechanism ensures transparency and prevents middlemen interference.
Summary:
PM-Kisan is a crucial income support program impacting millions of small and marginal farmers in India. It has ensured large-scale financial inclusion with direct benefit transfers. With ongoing efforts to broaden reach and digitalize processes, the scheme continues to strengthen the rural economy and farmer welfare programs in India.
Website: https://pmkisan.gov.in/
