
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) stands as a vital financial support system launched by the Government of India in December 2018 to assist millions of landholding farmer families across the country.
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PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN)is one of the largest direct income support schemes for farmers in India. Launched in December 2018 and officially rolled out in February 2019, this scheme aims to provide financial support to landholding farmer families across the country. Under the program, each eligible family receives ₹6,000 every year, transferred directly into their bank accounts in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. This not only promotes transparency but also ensures that the money reaches the farmers without any middlemen, making it one of the most trusted farmer welfare initiatives in the nation.
Administered by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, PM-KISAN is completely funded by the Central Government. Over the years, it has become a significant source of financial stability for millions of Indian farmers, especially those engaged in small and marginal farming, who often depend on seasonal crop income.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Benefits
One of the key advantages of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is that it provides a stable, assured income to farming families, which can be used for agricultural purposes or household needs. Since the money is deposited directly into the beneficiary’s account, the chances of corruption or delays are minimised. The scheme is flexible in terms of usage—farmers can use the funds for buying seeds, fertilizers, or even managing basic family expenses. With over 12 crore farmers already benefitting, PM-KISAN has shown its impact as one of the largest and most impactful direct benefit transfer schemes in the world.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Eligibility Criteria
As per the latest 2025 guidelines, all landholding farmer families whose names appear in government land records as of February 1, 2019, can apply. It does not matter if the farmer holds a small or large piece of cultivable land—both are eligible, as long as they meet the ownership criteria. However, not everyone can avail of this benefit. Certain groups are excluded, such as institutional landholders, current or former holders of constitutional positions like MPs, MLAs, and Mayors, and government employees (other than Class IV and Group D staff). Pensioners receiving ₹10,000 per month or more, those who paid income tax in the previous year, and professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers engaged in their regular practice are also ineligible. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) cannot apply under this scheme either.
To apply, a farmer must have an Aadhaar card, valid landholding records, and bank account details. In some cases, an income certificate might also be requested by local authorities.
PM kisan.gov.in Registration
Registering for PM Kisan is simple but requires attention to detail, especially regarding Aadhaar authentication. Farmers can apply online through the official PM Kisan website,pmkisan.gov.in, which is the only government-authorized platform for applications. The first step is to complete the mandatory e-KYC process, as applications without Aadhaar verification are automatically rejected.
After logging onto the portal, farmers must fill in their personal and family details, land information, and bank account details. Required documents such as the Aadhaar card, landholding proof, and bank passbook details need to be uploaded. Once the form is submitted, farmers can track their application using their Aadhaar number or registration ID on the same website.
For those who cannot register online, Common Service Centres (CSCs) and local agriculture offices are available to help with offline submission. These centres ensure that the details are uploaded to the central PM-KISAN database without delay.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 20th Installment Date
PM Kisan Yojana follows a quarterly payment cycle. The INR 6,000 annual support is divided into three installments—April to July, August to November, and December to March. Every installment of INR 2,000 is directly credited into the beneficiary bank account.
In 2025, the 20th installment was released on August 2, 2025, benefiting nearly 9.7 crore farmers across the country. Earlier, the 19th installment had been released in February 2025. With these payments, the government has successfully transferred more than ₹3.69 lakh crore to farmers since the scheme began, highlighting its scale and effectiveness.
Checking PM Kisan Beneficiary Status
Farmers often want to know whether their installment has been processed and credited. The process is straightforward. By visiting the official PM-KISAN portal and selecting the “Beneficiary Status” option, a farmer can check payment history by using their Aadhaar number, bank account number, or registered mobile number. The system displays details such as the last credited installment, upcoming payment date, and any errors in the application.
If there is a delay in receiving payments, it is usually due to mismatched Aadhaar information, incorrect bank account details, or pending e-KYC. In such cases, the farmer should immediately correct the details online or visit the nearest CSC or agriculture office.
Common Misunderstandings and Tips
A common myth about PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is that the benefit is only for small farmers. This is not true—the scheme covers all landholding farmers who meet the eligibility rules. Another misunderstanding is that the payments are automatic without registration, but in reality, only registered and verified applicants receive funds. Ensuring that your Aadhaar and bank details are updated is crucial for uninterrupted payments.