The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) is a flagship central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to provide direct financial support to farmers with cultivable land. Under the scheme, each eligible farm family receives ₹6,000 annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), credited into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts in three equal installments.
Possession of cultivable land is the primary eligibility criterion, although certain high-income categories are excluded under the scheme guidelines.
To ensure direct and corruption-free delivery of benefits, the Government of India has built a robust digital infrastructure. Since its launch, more than ₹4.09 lakh crore has been transferred directly to farmers’ accounts across 21 installments. The registration and verification processes are fully transparent, ensuring that assistance reaches the rightful beneficiaries.
Several national and international organisations have evaluated the impact of PM-Kisan. Key findings include:
A 2019 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that:
According to feedback collected by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog highlighted:
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