PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
Introduction
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a scheme of the Government of India launched in February 2019. Its aim is simple: to provide small financial support to farmers in India. Under this scheme, eligible landholding farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year, split into three equal installments of ₹2,000 each.
The need for such a scheme arises because many farmers, especially small and marginal ones, face cash constraints during planting, buying seeds or fertilisers, and managing household expenses. Without steady income, they may fall into debt or be unable to invest adequately in their farms. PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi seeks to ease that burden by giving guaranteed financial support.
To benefit, farmers must satisfy eligibility rules – for example, they should hold cultivable land and not fall under certain exclusion categories (such as high-income taxpayers). Application is done via the PM-Kisan portal, CSCS or other official channels, with Aadhaar seeding and verification.
Overview of the Scheme
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi is a Central Sector scheme launched and run by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
It became operational from 1 December 2018 and was formally announced in February 2019.
Implementation is carried out via a combination of central and state/UT agencies. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare leads at the centre, while state-level departments of agriculture verify land records and beneficiaries. The NIC / IT infrastructure handles the portal and transfers (DBT) under the scheme.
- Funding pattern: It is 100% funded by the Central Government (no State share).
- Benefit and coverage: Each eligible farmer family receives ₹6,000 per year, paid in three installments of ₹2,000 each.
- Sectors/components officially covered: The scheme is meant to supplement financial needs for agricultural inputs (e.g., seeds, fertilisers), allied activities, and domestic needs. It does not officially include machinery grants, value addition, training, credit or insurance as part of its core design.
As of now, the scheme is ongoing and has not been merged into any other mission. The most recent (21st) instalment was released in September 2025. The scheme continues to enroll and verify beneficiaries via e-KYC, Aadhaar linking, and land record checks.
For example: a farmer in a state must get their land record verified by the state agriculture department; once accepted, the central system sends ₹2,000 directly to their bank account under DBT.
Objectives
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi objectives are to:
- Augment income of farmer families who own cultivable land, especially small and marginal farmers, by giving them financial support.
- Supplement their expenses for agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers, etc.) so that crop health and yields can improve.
- Address domestic needs of farmer families by providing cash support that gives them flexibility in meeting household costs.
- Reduce dependence on informal credit (moneylenders) by offering timely cash flows, thereby protecting farmers from high-interest debt.
- Ensure transparency and efficiency in benefit delivery through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into bank accounts, and use of technology and Aadhaar linking.
- Cover all landholding farmer families (subject to defined exclusions) across the country under a uniform scheme, without state co-funding.
Key Features / Benefits
Below are the main features and benefits of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi – what farmers receive and how the scheme works in practice.
- Annual income support of ₹6,000 per family
The scheme gives each eligible landholding farmer family ₹6,000 every year (divided equally). - Three instalments of ₹2,000 each
The ₹6,000 is paid in three equal parts of ₹2,000 every four months (April–July, August–November, December–March). - Direct Benefit Transfer into bank accounts
Payments go straight into the farmer’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account, avoiding middlemen or delays. - Supports buying agricultural inputs
The scheme helps farmers meet costs of seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs needed for crop health and yields. - Covers domestic needs too
Farmers can also use the money for household expenses or family needs. - Uniform benefit without state share
This is a 100% centrally funded scheme (no state government share) under the Government of India. - Technology-driven features for transparency
The portal supports self-registration, Aadhaar authentication, biometric/OTP e-KYC, status check, corrections, and grievance redressal. - Exclusion rules to target support
Some groups are excluded (e.g. higher income taxpayers, pensioners above a certain amount) so that benefits go to genuine farming families. - Saturation drives for inclusion
The government conducts special enrollment drives to include farmers left out, ensuring wider coverage.
Eligibility Criteria
Below are the criteria (and exclusions) under which one can or cannot apply for PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, as per official guidelines.
Farmers / Landholding Families
- Must be a landholding farmer family owning cultivable land as per state/UT land records.
- The family is defined as husband, wife, and minor children.
- The land ownership status as of 1 February 2019 is used for eligibility; later transfers may affect eligibility under certain rules.
- Must complete e-KYC / Aadhaar linking to verify identity and allow direct benefit transfer (DBT).
- Must supply valid land record documents, bank account details, and Aadhaar / identity proof during registration.
Not Eligible / Exclusions
- Institutional landholders (e.g. companies, institutions) are excluded.
- Families where any member is a present or former holder of constitutional posts, MPs, MLAs, Ministers, Mayors, Chairpersons, etc.
- Serving or retired officers/employees of Central/State government, PSEs, autonomous bodies, or local bodies – except Multi Tasking Staff / Class IV / Group D employees.
- Pensioners receiving monthly pension ≥ ₹10,000 (except Class IV / MTS / Group D) are excluded.
- Those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are excluded.
- Registered professionals (doctors, engineers, lawyers, CAs, architects) actively practicing are excluded.
SHGs, FPOs, Entrepreneurs / MSMEs
As of the official scheme guidelines, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi is strictly for landholding farmer families. The scheme does not list SHGs, FPOs, entrepreneurs, startups, or MSMEs as eligible beneficiary types.
Application Process
- Go to official portal / app
- Visit https://pmkisan.gov.in/ and go to the “Farmers’ Corner → New Farmer Registration” page.
- Or use the PM-Kisan mobile app (Android) for registration and status tracking.
- Enter Aadhaar and authenticate
- On “New Farmer Registration”, enter your Aadhaar number.
- The portal will authenticate Aadhaar with UIDAI / via OTP / e-KYC.
- Fill the registration form
- Personal / beneficiary details (name, address, family)
- Land / farm details: landholding size, survey / plot numbers, ownership status
- Bank account information: account number, IFSC, bank branch (must be Aadhaar-seeded)
- Self-declaration / confirmation of eligibility (e.g. no duplicate benefit)
- Upload / submit documents
- Aadhaar / identity proof
- Land record / ownership proof (as per state revenue records)
- Bank passbook / canceled cheque for verifying account details
- Any other documents as required by state authorities
- Submission and acknowledgement
- Submit the completed form via portal / app
- You receive an application registration / reference number / ID (on screen or by SMS/email) for tracking (as per user manual flow)
- Verification by authorities
- The application is sent to the concerned State / UT / district nodal officers / agriculture / revenue officials for checking land records, eligibility, and correctness.
- In some cases, there may be field inspection or cross-checking of land records (state practice) (though the user manual mentions verification steps)
- Approval and benefit release
- Once verified and approved, the farmer becomes a beneficiary under PM-Kisan
- The assistance is then transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account in three installments of ₹2,000 each per year.
- The timeline for approval / release depends on state / UT processing times (not strictly specified in all official manuals)
- Offline / assisted route (if needed)
- Farmers may also register via Common Service Centres (CSCs) using assistance from the operator.
- Or visit local agriculture / revenue / block / tehsil offices or designated agricultural / revenue officials with all required documents to ask for registration help.
- Check status / track application
- On the portal, use “Status of Self Registered / CSC Farmer” or “Beneficiary Status / Know Your Status” in Farmers’ Corner, entering Aadhaar / registration ID / mobile number.
- You’ll see whether your application is pending / approved / rejected.
- Corrections / updates (if needed)
- If any detail is wrong (name mismatch, bank account errors), there is a correction / update option in the portal or via CSC / state office.
Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
- Always match names exactly as in Aadhaar and bank accounts – mismatch can lead to rejection or payment failure.
- Double-check your bank account number, IFSC, and Aadhaar seeding before submitting – errors here are common reasons for failure.
- Use correct land record / ownership documents as per the state/UT’s revenue records; wrong documents slow verification.
- Complete e-KYC / Aadhaar linking before the deadline for the current instalment cycle – late registration means you may miss that instalment.
Challenges or Limitations
Like many large national programmes, PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi faces some practical challenges. Most are technical or administrative in nature, and farmers can avoid common mistakes by staying careful with their records and applications.
- Delayed installments due to verification → Payments sometimes take longer if land records or Aadhaar details are not fully verified by state authorities. Tip: Keep your land documents updated at the revenue office and complete Aadhaar e-KYC early.
- Document mismatches → Differences in spelling of names between Aadhaar, bank passbook, and land records often block installments. Tip: Cross-check all documents and update them to match exactly before applying.
- Aadhaar seeding and bank linkage issues → If the bank account is not Aadhaar-linked, DBT transfers can fail. Tip: Visit your bank to confirm seeding and get a receipt before registering.
- Exclusion of certain categories → Farmers in joint families where land is not properly divided may miss benefits, as eligibility depends on recorded ownership. Tip: Regularly update land records in official revenue registers to reflect actual ownership.
- Limited support amount → The ₹6,000 yearly assistance is helpful but may not cover all input costs. Tip: Treat the benefit as supplemental income and combine it with state schemes, crop insurance, or credit facilities.
- Technical glitches on the portal/app → During peak times, the PM-Kisan portal may slow down or show errors. Tip: Try applying or checking status during non-peak hours, or use a nearby CSC for assisted service.
- Seasonal timing of installments → If registration or verification is delayed, farmers may miss a seasonal installment cycle. Tip: Apply well before the cut-off dates to ensure timely release of funds.
- Awareness gaps in remote areas → Some eligible farmers remain unaware of the scheme or the need for e-KYC. Tip: Use local agriculture offices, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, or CSCs to spread information and get guided help.
Government Support & Future Outlook
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme is part of a larger ecosystem of agricultural support programmes run by the Government of India. Some official linkages and convergence points include:
- The scheme works alongside PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises), PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana), and others, to ensure farmers get income support, risk coverage, and market / processing support.
- It is also tied in with RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) and state investment plans, so that farm development projects complement income support.
- Through Digital Agriculture Mission and integration with digital platforms (AgriStack, soil & crop registries), PM-Kisan may feed into unified farmer databases and enable smoother convergence of multiple schemes.
Practical example: A farmer getting ₹6,000 under PM-Kisan can pair that with crop insurance cover under PMFBY (to guard against losses) and use a processing subsidy under PMFME (to add value to produce), all while accessing digital extension services from the Digital Agriculture Mission. That way, income support, risk protection, and market gains combine to strengthen farm earnings.
Conclusion
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi is a flagship income support scheme that plays a crucial role in strengthening the financial base of small and marginal farmers across India. By providing direct benefit transfers, it ensures timely assistance for meeting cultivation expenses and reduces dependence on informal credit. The scheme’s benefits are most impactful for landholding farmers with limited resources, who can use the funds for seeds, fertilizers, or essential household needs. To make the most of this programme, farmers should first check their eligibility on the official portal [pmkisan.gov.in], keep Aadhaar and land records updated, and reach out to the nearest agriculture office if help is needed. Staying informed through the portal or helpline is the best way to avoid mistakes during the application process and secure smooth access to benefits.
Explore detailed resources on this scheme and the full suite of programmes at ALL ABOUT AGRICULTURE. For one-on-one assistance, call us at +91 8484002628.