Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released the 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Varanasi, disbursing approximately ₹20,500 crore to over 9.7 crore farmers across the country. The financial assistance, transferred directly to farmers’ Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensures transparency and eliminates intermediaries, reinforcing the government’s commitment to farmer welfare and rural prosperity.
Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to land-holding farmers in three equal instalments to support their financial needs. Since its inception, the government has disbursed over ₹3.69 lakh crore through 19 instalments, with the 20th instalment further strengthening income support for millions of small and marginal farmers. The scheme aims to help farmers procure essential inputs for crop health and yields, protect them from moneylenders, and ensure their continued engagement in farming activities.
The initiative has significantly impacted over 85 percent of Indian farmers who own less than two hectares of land. The financial aid serves as a lifeline during sowing and harvest seasons, reducing reliance on informal loans and acting as a safety net during challenging times. Beyond financial support, the scheme fosters dignity among farmers, recognizing their role as vital contributors to nation-building. The robust digital infrastructure, powered by Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and mobile phones, enables seamless online registration, land verification, and direct fund transfers. State governments have played a crucial role in creating a farmer-friendly system, further enhanced by tools like the Kisan eMitra AI chatbot and AgriStack for personalized support.
Technological advancements have bolstered the scheme’s efficiency and transparency. The PM-KISAN mobile app, launched on February 24, 2020, offers services like self-registration, benefit status tracking, and facial authentication-based e-KYC. In 2023, a face authentication feature was introduced, allowing remote farmers to complete e-KYC without OTP or fingerprint scans. Over 5 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) facilitate registrations, while a robust grievance redressal system and the Kisan eMitra AI chatbot, launched in September 2023, provide instant query resolution in local languages. Integrated with Bhashini, the chatbot supports linguistic diversity, enhancing accessibility. Additionally, the Department of Posts enables farmers to link or update mobile numbers with Aadhaar through India Post Payment Bank for e-KYC completion.
The scheme’s reach has expanded significantly, with a saturation drive under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in November 2023 adding over 1 crore eligible farmers. An additional 25 lakh farmers were included within the first 100 days of the government formed in June 2024. During the 18th instalment (August to November 2024), Uttar Pradesh led with 2.25 crore beneficiaries, followed by Bihar with 75.81 lakh.