On 24th February 2025, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme during an event in Bhagalpur, Bihar. This installment provided direct financial assistance to over 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore female farmers, across the country. The total amount disbursed exceeded ₹22,000 crore, transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without any middlemen. This initiative reinforces the government’s commitment to farmer welfare and agricultural prosperity.
Earlier, on 5th October 2024, the Prime Minister had released the 18th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme in Washim, Maharashtra. During that event, over 9.4 crore farmers received financial benefits amounting to more than ₹20,000 crore.
About PM-KISAN Scheme
Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector initiative aimed at supplementing the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 per year, distributed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The funds are directly transferred into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of farmers through DBT.
Since its inception, the government has disbursed over ₹3.46 lakh crore across 18 installments (as of February 2025), ensuring transparency and efficiency in the process.
Objectives of PM-KISAN
The PM-KISAN scheme aims to:
- Supplement the financial needs of Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) to help them procure agricultural inputs, ensuring proper crop health and optimal yields.
- Protect farmers from falling into debt traps by reducing their reliance on moneylenders for meeting farming expenses.
- Encourage farmers to continue their agricultural activities by providing them with timely financial support.
Technological Advancements
To enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of the scheme, the government has implemented several technological advancements:
PM-KISAN Mobile App:
- Launched on 24th February 2020, the app serves as a simple and efficient extension of the PM-KISAN web portal.
- In 2023, the app introduced a Face Authentication Feature, enabling farmers in remote areas to complete e-KYC by scanning their faces without the need for OTP or fingerprint.
AI Chatbot – Kisan-eMitra:
- Launched in September 2023, the AI chatbot provides instant query resolution in local languages regarding payments, registration, and eligibility.
- Integrated with Bhashini, the chatbot offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic diversity of farmers across India.
Common Service Centres (CSCs):
- Over 5 lakh CSCs have been onboarded to facilitate registrations and assist farmers in meeting mandatory requirements.
Grievance Redressal System:
- A robust grievance redressal system has been established on the PM-KISAN portal to address farmers’ concerns promptly.
India Post Payment Bank:
- Farmers can link or update their mobile numbers with Aadhaar through India Post Payment Bank to complete e-KYC.
Mandatory Information for Enrollment: Documents Required
To enroll in the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers must provide the following details:
- Farmer’s or Spouse’s name
- Farmer’s or Spouse’s date of birth
- Bank account number
- IFSC/MICR code
- Mobile number
- Aadhaar number
- Other customer information as available in the passbook
Impact and Achievements
- Since its launch, the government has disbursed over ₹3.46 lakh crore across 18 installments.
- A saturation drive under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in November 2023 added over 1 crore eligible farmers to the scheme.
- An additional 25 lakh farmers were included within the first 100 days of the new government in June 2024, increasing the number of beneficiaries to 9.59 crore for the 18th installment.
- States like Uttar Pradesh (2.25 crore beneficiaries) and Bihar (75.81 lakh beneficiaries) have seen the highest participation in the scheme.
Independent Study Findings
A study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in 2019 highlighted the positive impact of PM-KISAN:
- The scheme has boosted rural economic growth and eased farmers’ credit constraints.
- It has encouraged farmers to invest in agricultural inputs and undertake riskier but productive investments.
- Funds received under PM-KISAN are also being used for non-agricultural expenses such as education, medical needs, and weddings, showcasing its broader impact on rural livelihoods.
