PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
Direct income support of ₹6,000 per year for all landholding farmer families — India's largest Direct Benefit Transfer scheme
📖What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a central government scheme launched on 24 February 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this scheme, all landholding farmer families in India receive ₹6,000 per year as direct income support. The money is transferred directly into the farmer's Aadhaar-linked bank account in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, every four months, using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The scheme was originally launched for small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares of land. However, in June 2019, it was expanded to cover ALL farmer families regardless of land size. This makes it one of the largest cash transfer programs in the world, reaching over 9 crore farmer families across India.
As of March 2026, the government has released 22 installments and transferred more than ₹4.09 lakh crore to eligible farmers since the scheme began. The 22nd installment was released on 13 March 2026 by the Prime Minister from Guwahati, Assam, benefiting over 9.32 crore farmers with a total disbursement of ₹18,640 crore.
The primary goal of PM Kisan is to supplement the financial needs of farmers for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs. It also helps farmers manage household expenses such as children's education and medical needs. The scheme is entirely funded by the central government (100% central sector scheme), while state and UT governments are responsible for identifying eligible beneficiaries using land records.
✅Eligibility
🚫Who CANNOT Get PM Kisan Benefits
Even if you own farmland, you are NOT eligible if you or any member of your family falls in these categories:
1. Current or retired officers/employees of central or state government ministries, departments, or field units (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff, Class IV employees, and Group D employees who ARE eligible).
2. Anyone who is or was a Member of Parliament, MLA, MLC, Mayor, or Zila Parishad Chairperson.
3. Anyone currently serving or retired from constitutional posts.
4. Anyone who paid income tax in the previous assessment year (even if they are a farmer).
5. Professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants, and architects who are registered with professional bodies AND earn income from their profession.
6. Anyone receiving a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff and Group D employees).
7. Institutional landholders — land owned by trusts, companies, or institutions does not qualify.
Important: If even one family member (husband, wife, or minor child) falls in any of these categories, the entire family becomes ineligible.
📊Complete Installment History
| Installment | Period | Release Date | Amount | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd | Dec 2025 – Mar 2026 | 13 March 2026 | ₹18,640 Cr | 9.32 Cr |
| 21st | Aug – Nov 2025 | Oct 2025 | ₹18,681 Cr | 9.34 Cr |
| 20th | Apr – Jul 2025 | Jun 2025 | ₹20,843 Cr | 9.71 Cr |
| 19th | Dec 2024 – Mar 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | ₹22,000+ Cr | 10.07 Cr |
| 18th | Aug – Nov 2024 | Oct 2024 | ₹20,000+ Cr | 9.4 Cr |
| 17th | Apr – Jul 2024 | Jun 2024 | ₹20,000+ Cr | 9.3 Cr |
🔍How to Check Your Payment Status
🔧Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: Payment stopped after a few installments — This usually happens because e-KYC expired or land records were not re-verified. Complete e-KYC again on the portal or at your nearest CSC center. Also check if your state government has updated land records.
Problem: Status shows 'Aadhaar not authenticated' — Your Aadhaar is not linked to your bank account. Visit your bank branch with your Aadhaar card and ask them to seed (link) your Aadhaar to your account. This is different from just having an Aadhaar card.
Problem: Status shows 'Rft Signed by State' but no money received — The state government has approved your payment, but the bank transfer is pending. Wait 5-7 working days. If still not received, check if your bank account is active and has no freeze/hold.
Problem: Name mismatch between Aadhaar and bank account — Even small differences (like 'Ramesh Kumar' vs 'Ramesh Kumar Singh') can block payments. Get your name corrected in either your Aadhaar (at Aadhaar center) or bank account (at bank branch) so both match exactly.
Problem: 'Payment Failure' status — Common causes include: closed bank account, account frozen by bank, incorrect IFSC code, or bank merger (old IFSC no longer valid). Contact your bank to verify account status, then update details on the PM Kisan portal through your CSC center.
Problem: Land records not verified — In some states, land record digitization is incomplete. Contact your local Patwari or Lekhpal to ensure your land ownership details are correctly entered in the state's digital land records system.
📝How to File a Grievance
🔑e-KYC — Why It's Mandatory and How to Do It
Since 2022, e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) is mandatory for ALL PM Kisan beneficiaries. If you haven't completed e-KYC, your installments will be held until you do. This was introduced to remove fake and duplicate beneficiaries from the system.
Method 1 — OTP-based e-KYC (online, 2 minutes): Go to pmkisan.gov.in → click 'e-KYC' under Farmers Corner → enter Aadhaar number → click 'Search' → enter OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile → submit. This works only if your mobile number is linked to Aadhaar.
Method 2 — Biometric e-KYC (at CSC center): Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC). Carry your Aadhaar card. The CSC operator will verify your identity using fingerprint/iris scan. This costs ₹0 (free) under PM Kisan. Use this if your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar.
Method 3 — Face Authentication (PM Kisan app): Download the PM Kisan mobile app from Google Play Store. Open the app → go to Face Authentication → follow the prompts to scan your face. This method was introduced in 2023 for farmers in remote areas.
Important: e-KYC needs to be done only once, but the government may ask for re-verification periodically (usually annually). When re-verification is required, you'll see a notification on the PM Kisan portal or app.
💳Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Link with PM Kisan
The government has linked PM Kisan with the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme. PM Kisan beneficiaries can apply for a KCC card and get short-term agricultural loans at subsidized interest rates (currently 4% per annum after interest subvention).
KCC provides loans up to ₹3 lakh without any collateral. The loan can be used for crop production, post-harvest expenses, farm maintenance, and allied activities like dairy and fisheries. PM Kisan beneficiaries get priority processing for KCC applications.
To apply for KCC: Visit your nearest bank branch (where your PM Kisan account is linked), carry your PM Kisan registration details, Aadhaar card, land records, and passport-size photos. The bank processes KCC applications within 14 days for PM Kisan beneficiaries.