Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Strengthening Farmers’ Income Security in India

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India, fully funded by the Central Government. The scheme has been implemented across the country since 1 December 2018. Its primary objective is to strengthen the financial condition of all landholding farmer families, including small and marginal farmers, by providing them with assured and regular income support.

Financial Assistance Under the Scheme:

PM-KISAN scheme, each eligible farmer family receives ₹6,000 per year as financial assistance. This amount is released in three equal instalments and is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. To the scheme, a farmer family consists of husband, wife, and minor children.

Eligibility and Identification of Beneficiaries:

As per the scheme guidelines, the identification of eligible farmer families is carried out by the State Governments and Union Territory administrations. Beneficiaries are selected based on prescribed eligibility criteria. The scheme also specifies certain exclusion categories, and individuals falling under these categories are not eligible to receive benefits under PM-KISAN.

Crores of Farmers Benefited Across Instalments:

Each instalment under the PM-KISAN scheme has benefited crores of farmers across the country. The number of beneficiaries covered during different periods is as follows:

1. April–July 2025–26: 97,141,402 farmers
2. December–March 2024–25: 100,685,615 farmers
3. August–November 2024–25: 95,928,628 farmers
4. April–July 2024–25: 93,801,580 farmers
5. December–March 2023–24: 90,444,694 farmers
6. August–November 2023–24: 81,216,697 farmers
7. April–July 2023–24: 85,679,091 farmers
8. December–March 2022–23: 81,238,919 farmers
9. August–November 2022–23: 85,740,741 farmers
10. April–July 2022–23: 104,845,164 farmers
11. December–March 2021–22: 104,168,513 farmers
12. August–November 2021–22: 103,447,290 farmers
13. April–July 2021–22: 99,917,958 farmers
14. December–March 2020–21: 98,476,200 farmers
15. August–November 2020–21: 97,227,546 farmers
16. April–July 2020–21: 92,693,999 farmers
17. December–March 2019–20: 82,091,667 farmers
18. August–November 2019–20: 76,601,029 farmers
19. April–July 2019–20: 60,034,872 farmers
20. December–March 2018–19: 31,621,743 farmers

Strengthening Farmers’ Economic Security:Through consistent and transparent financial support, the PM-KISAN scheme has emerged as a key instrument for enhancing farmers’ income security, reducing financial stress, and supporting agricultural livelihoods across India.

(FAQs)

Q1. What is Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi?
PM-KISAN is a Central Government scheme that provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families as income support.

Q2. How many instalments are given under PM-KISAN?
The amount is paid in three instalments of ₹2,000 each every year.

Q3. Who is eligible for PM-KISAN benefits?
All landholding farmer families meeting eligibility criteria, excluding notified exclusion categories.

Q4. How is the PM-KISAN amount transferred?
Funds are transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through DBT.

Q5. Where can farmers get reliable PM-KISAN updates?
Farmers can follow trusted platforms like Khetivyapar for PM-KISAN news, eligibility updates, and agriculture-related information.