Sunita Somvanshi
The Indian government is preparing to release the 24th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, which will deliver ₹2,000 directly into the bank accounts of more than 11 crore (110 million) registered beneficiary farmers across the country. The payment is part of the annual ₹6,000 assistance provided in three equal tranches to small and marginal agricultural landholders.
What Is PM-Kisan?
Launched in February 2019, PM-Kisan is a central government income support scheme that provides financial assistance directly to farming families who own up to two hectares of cultivable land. The scheme uses the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring funds bypass intermediaries and reach farmers’ bank accounts without delay or deduction. Since its launch, PM-Kisan has disbursed trillions of rupees to eligible beneficiaries across all states and union territories.
Who Is Eligible?
- Small and marginal farmers who own agricultural land up to 2 hectares
- Landowner’s name must appear in state land records
- Must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account registered on the PM-Kisan portal
- Not eligible: Institutional landholders, income taxpayers, government employees, professionals earning above a threshold
How to Check Payment Status
Farmers can verify whether their payment has been processed through the official PM-Kisan portal at pmkisan.gov.in. The “Beneficiary Status” section allows farmers to check payment history using their registered mobile number or Aadhaar number. Banks participating in the DBT framework typically credit the amount within 2–3 working days of government release.
eKYC Compliance Requirement
Farmers who have not completed their electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification will not receive the installment. The government has made eKYC mandatory to eliminate duplicate or fraudulent beneficiaries from the scheme. Farmers can complete eKYC at their nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or through the PM-Kisan mobile application using biometric verification.
Economic Impact
The PM-Kisan scheme plays a significant role in supporting rural household income, particularly among subsistence farmers who lack access to formal credit. Each installment helps farming families cover input costs such as seeds, fertilisers and irrigation at the beginning of the crop cycle. The agriculture ministry reports that timely payments have improved crop planning and reduced distress borrowing in many regions.
External Sources: PM-Kisan Official Portal | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
