PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Launch Date, Objectives, Eligibility

The Central Sector Scheme named PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana was introduced under the Government of India to facilitate income support to farmers and their families. The scheme was implemented as the Rythu Bandhu Scheme in Telangana by their state government where a fixed amount was transferred directly to the farmers who were eligible for the scheme. During the Interim Union Budget of India on 1 February 2019, Piyush Goyal announced the project as a country wise project.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana was launched on 24th February 2019 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. According to this scheme, all the small and marginal farmers will receive Rs. 6000 per year in three installments directly to the bank accounts. The budget for this scheme is set to be Rs. 75000 crore, financed by the Union Government.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was launched in February 2019 to offer direct financial aid to small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, eligible farming families receive ₹6,000 a year, paid in three instalments of ₹2,000 each, credited into their bank accounts directly.

The core idea behind PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is to promote farmer’s income, helping them manage agricultural costs and household needs more effectively. It specifically targets those with limited land, aiming to improve rural livelihoods and strengthen the rural economy. PM KISAN also aligns with the broader goal of increasing the farmer’s income and tackling rural struggles, making it a pillar in the country’s agricultural support system.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM KISAN) 21st Installment

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM KISAN) 21st Installment provides ₹2,000 to each eligible small and marginal farmer as part of the annual ₹6,000 aid. More than 10 crore farmers across the country benefit from this direct financial transfer. The scheme plays a crucial role in empowering farmers and promoting sustainable growth in the agricultural sector. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM KISAN) 21st Installment of ₹2,000 is expected to be released before Diwali, bringing festive relief to farmers. The scheme ensures that farmers receive timely monetary support to manage agricultural expenses and household needs.

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PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Overview

The 21st Installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana amount is expected to be released in October 2025. Below mentioned table includes PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Overview:

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Features

1. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is introduced to support around 12 crore small and marginal farmers across India. With an annual budget of ₹75,000 crore, it stands as one of the largest direct income support programs in the country.
2. Every farmer who is eligible receives ₹6,000 per year, distributed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000. This amount is transferred straight into their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), cutting out delays and eliminating middlemen.
3. This scheme ensures a basic, reliable income for farming families. With timely payments every four months, it provides expected support for managing agricultural and household expenses.
4. There are no restrictions on how the money should be spent. Whether it’s seeds, fertilizers, family needs, or medical expenses, farmers are free to use the funds as they see fit.
5. The scheme is entirely financed by the central government. From its introduction, the Centre has committed ₹75,000 crore annually, ensuring a consistent flow of funds through the DBT system.
6. To access the benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Aadhaar authentication is required. Farmers without Aadhaar can get enrolled at the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) to become eligible for the scheme.
7. The process has been made user-friendly. Farmers can register themselves using the PM-KISAN mobile app or visit a CSC for assistance. This self-registration setup ensures broader and quicker access.
8. A centralized call center has been established to handle queries, resolve issues, and assist farmers with registration or any problems they might face with the scheme.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Objectives

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a scheme launched by the Government of India to increase the income of small and marginal farmers. It serves as a direct support mechanism for rural households dependent on agriculture. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Objectives are as follow:

1. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana aims to provide assured income support to eligible farmer families with cultivable land, helping them manage both agricultural and household expenses.
2. PM-KISAN also helps farmers purchase essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. The goal is to promote better crop health and improve farm productivity, thereby stabilizing farm income.
3. The government plans to expand the scheme’s coverage to nearly 14.5 crore farmers, up from the current base, with a target of including 2 crore more beneficiaries.
4. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana coverage is expected to cost ₹87,217.50 crore, fully financed by the Central Government.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN), small and marginal farmers must not fall under certain exclusion categories. The scheme is meant for land-owning farmers, and specific individuals and groups are banned from receiving its benefits.

• Institutional landholders – Any land owned by institutions rather than individuals is excluded.
• High-ranking public officials which includes:
  • Former and current holders of constitutional posts.
  • Ex or current Union and State Ministers.
  • Sitting or former Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) or State Legislatures.
  • Former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations.
  • Former and current Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
• Government employees and retirees – Any serving or retired employee of Central or State Government departments, offices, or ministries is ineligible. This also applies to retirees drawing a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more.
• Income taxpayers – Anyone who paid income tax in the most recent assessment year is automatically excluded.
• Professionals practicing independently – Registered doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants, and architects actively practicing their profession are not eligible, even if they own agricultural land.

Documents required for verification by eligible farmers:

• Valid proof of Indian citizenship
• Landholding documents to prove ownership
• Aadhaar card for identity authentication
• Active bank account details to receive DBT transfers

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Advantages

1. One of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Advantages is the direct transfer of money to farmer’s bank accounts. An example was on December 25, 2020, when ₹18,000 crore was deposited into the accounts of 9 crore farmers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This kind of direct benefit transfer ensures speed, transparency, and zero leakage.
2. All beneficiary details are maintained on a central digital platform. This has streamlined both registration and fund distribution, making the process more efficient and reliable. The digital shift has also helped in reducing errors and eliminating duplication.
3. By providing timely financial assistance, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana helps ease the cash issues that farmers often face, especially during sowing or harvest seasons. This support can make a real difference in managing day-to-day farming and household expenses.
4. With improved financial support, farmers are in a better position to adopt improved practices, invest in inputs, or even explore new technologies.
5. The selection of beneficiaries is based on eligibility criteria, leaving no room for bias or political interference.

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Challenges

1. While the intent is to offer income support, the ₹6,000 annual aid may not be enough to meaningfully improve the financial stability of small farmers. The fixed amount also doesn’t consider the size of landholding or varying cost of living across regions, limiting its real impact.
2. Despite being positioned as a poor welfare scheme, data suggests that the benefits often reach relatively better-off farmers, those who already had access to land and resources even before the pandemic, leaving out some of the most vulnerable rural households.
3. One of the major drawbacks is the exclusion of landless agricultural workers. Since eligibility is only restricted to land ownership, millions of rural households who work on leased land or as laborers don’t qualify, even though they form a critical part of the rural economy.
4. The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana follows a top-down structure, where the central government funds and directs it while states identify beneficiaries. This model often faces coordination issues, delays in updating records, and gaps in last-mile delivery which reduces its overall effectiveness.
5. As more focus and funding shift toward cash transfer schemes like PM-KISAN, there’s growing concern that critical long-term investments like those in irrigation, infrastructure, and market support which will affect the agricultural sector in a longer run.