PM Kisan Samman Nidhi: Prime Minister to release 21st instalment of PM-KISAN on …

The Indian farmer, the ‘Annadata’ or provider for the nation, has always been the backbone of the country’s economy. Yet, for decades, they have faced immense challenges—from climate uncertainties and fluctuating market prices to the burden of debt. Recognizing this critical need for sustained financial support, the Government of India launched a landmark initiative that has since transformed the lives of millions of farmer families.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is not just a scheme; it is a promise. A promise of income support, dignity, and empowerment. Since its inception, it has directly transferred thousands of crores of rupees into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, providing them with the necessary financial cushion to manage agricultural expenses and ensure the well-being of their families.

This comprehensive guide is your one-stop resource for everything related to the PM Kisan scheme. Whether you are a farmer looking to check your next installment status, a young individual helping your parents with registration, or a student researching this transformative policy, this article will provide you with accurate, detailed, and up-to-date information for 2024.

2. What is the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central sector scheme launched by the Government of India on 1st December 2018. It is a direct income support initiative that provides eligible farmer families with financial assistance of ₹6,000 per year.

This amount is distributed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, transferred every four months directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. The scheme is entirely funded by the Government of India, ensuring seamless and timely payments across the country.

The core idea is to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers, enabling them to cover various costs associated with agriculture, such as purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and hiring labor. By providing this support, the government aims to protect farmers from falling into the debt trap and ensure the continuity of farming activities.

3. The Vision and Objectives Behind PM Kisan

The launch of PM Kisan was driven by a clear and compassionate vision. The primary objective is to ensure a life of dignity and prosperity for every farmer family in India.

Let’s break down the key objectives:

• Supplemental Financial Support: To provide a stable, predictable, and supplemental source of income to help farmers manage their day-to-day agricultural and domestic expenses.

• Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: By easing the financial burden, the scheme empowers farmers to invest in quality inputs and adopt modern, sustainable agricultural practices that can lead to higher yields.

• Reducing Indebtedness: A significant number of farmer suicides are linked to crippling debt. The annual support aims to reduce reliance on informal credit sources and moneylenders, thereby alleviating the debt stress.

• Ensuring Food Security: By supporting the farmers who produce the nation’s food, the scheme indirectly contributes to strengthening India’s food security.

• Women Empowerment: The financial assistance is provided to the family as a unit. In many states, the amount is being transferred to the bank account of the woman of the household, promoting financial inclusion and empowerment.

4. Key Features and Benefits of the Scheme

The PM Kisan scheme is designed with simplicity and transparency at its core. Here are its standout features and benefits:

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The ₹2,000 installments are directly credited to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account, eliminating middlemen and ensuring 100% leakage-proof delivery.

• No Complex Paperwork: The registration process is straightforward, both online and through Common Service Centers (CSCs), requiring minimal documentation.

• Complete Transparency: The entire PM Kisan beneficiary list is available in the public domain on the official website, allowing anyone to verify the status of any farmer.

• Self-Registration and Status Check: Farmers can independently register themselves, check their application status, and track payment history through the official portal or a dedicated mobile app.

• Mandatory e-KYC: To ensure the authenticity of beneficiaries and prevent fraud, completing the e-KYC process is mandatory for receiving payments.

• Grievance Redressal Mechanism: A robust system is in place on the portal where beneficiaries can lodge and track their complaints regarding payment failures, incorrect details, etc.

5. Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Avail the Benefits?

Understanding the eligibility criteria is the first and most crucial step. The scheme is available to all land-holding farmer families across India.

A “farmer family” is defined as:

• A family comprising of a husband, wife, and minor children.

• The landholding must be in the name of any one or more members of the family.

Eligible Categories include:

• Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs): Those who own up to 2 hectares of agricultural land.

• All other land-holding farmer families, irrespective of the size of their landholding (this was expanded in May 2019 to include all farmer families).

6. Who is Not Eligible? The Exclusion Categories

To ensure that the benefits reach the most deserving, the scheme has clearly defined institutional and affluent categories that are not eligible for the PM Kisan payment.

The following categories of farmer families are excluded from the scheme:

1. Institutional Landholders: Any farmer family where one or more of its members belong to the following categories:

   • Former and present holders of constitutional posts (President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Governors, etc.).

   • Current and former Ministers/MPs/MLAs/Mayors/Chairpersons of District Panchayats.

   • Serving or retired officers and employees of Central/State Government Ministries/Departments/Offers and their field units (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).

   • Serving or retired officers and employees of PSUs and Government Autonomous Bodies (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).

   • Regular employees of Local Bodies (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).

2. Professionals: All Superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is ₹10,000 or more.

   • All professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with professional bodies.

3. Income Tax Payers: Any individual who paid income tax in the last assessment year.

4. Multi-Tasking Staff: While Class IV/Group D employees are included, it’s crucial to check the specific state government guidelines for clarity.

7. Required Documents for PM Kisan Registration

Before starting the registration process, ensure you have the following documents ready:

• Aadhaar Card: The Aadhaar number of the head of the family and other family members is mandatory. In non-Aadhaar areas, alternative documents like Aadhaar enrolment slip, driving license, voter ID, etc., can be used.

• Land Ownership Documents: Records of the land that establish your ownership (e.g., Khatauni, Land Parcel details, etc.).

• Bank Account Details: A bank account number and IFSC code that is linked to the beneficiary’s Aadhaar number.

• Citizenship Certificate: Proof of Indian citizenship.

• Mobile Number: An active mobile number linked with Aadhaar for OTP-based verification.

8. A Step-by-Step Guide to New Registration (Farmer & CSC)

There are two primary ways to register for the PM Kisan scheme: Self-Registration and Registration through a Common Service Centre (CSC).

A. Self-Registration on the PM Kisan Portal

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official PM Kisan website: https://pmkisan.gov.in/

2. Navigate to Registration: On the home page, click on the ‘New Farmer Registration’ link under the ‘Farmers Corner’ section.

3. Enter Aadhaar Number: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click on the ‘Search’ button. The system will verify if you are already registered.

4. Fill the Registration Form: If you are a new beneficiary, a form will appear. Carefully fill in all the required details:

   • Personal Details (Name, Gender, Category as per Aadhaar)

   • Address Details (State, District, Sub-District, Block, Village)

   • Bank Account Details (Account Number, IFSC Code, Bank Name)

   • Family Details (Name of father, spouse, etc.)

5. Land Details: Enter the details of your land as per the land records. You may need to enter the Survey Number/Khasra Number, etc.

6. Consent and Submit: Check the ‘I am not a robot’ box and click on ‘Save’. You will receive a registration number for future reference.

B. Registration through Common Service Centre (CSC)

For farmers who are not comfortable with the online process, the government has authorized VLEs (Village Level Entrepreneurs) at CSCs to assist with the registration.

1. Visit your nearest Common Service Centre with all the required original documents.

2. The VLE will access the PM Kisan portal and enter all your details on your behalf.

3. You will need to verify the information entered and provide your biometric authentication (if required).

4. The VLE will charge a nominal fee for this service (usually around ₹25 to ₹30).

5. You will receive an SMS confirmation on your registered mobile number.

9. How to Check Your PM Kisan Beneficiary Status

Once registered, you can easily check your status online.

1. Go to the PM Kisan portal: https://pmkisan.gov.in/

2. Under the ‘Farmers Corner’ section, click on ‘Beneficiary Status’.

3. You can check your status by entering either your Aadhaar Number, Account Number, or Mobile Number.

4. Click on ‘Get Data’. The screen will display your current status, which could be:

   • Under Verification: Your application is being processed by the State/District authorities.

   • Payment Failed: The payment was initiated but failed, usually due to incorrect bank details or Aadhaar seeding issues.

   • Payment Successful: The installment has been successfully credited to your bank account, along with the date of credit.

10. The Crucial Process of PM Kisan e-KYC

e-KYC is now 100% mandatory to receive any PM Kisan installment. It is a one-time process to authenticate your identity.

There are two ways to complete your e-KYC:

A. OTP-Based e-KYC (Online):

1. Visit the PM Kisan portal and go to the ‘e-KYC’ section under ‘Farmers Corner’.

2. Enter your Aadhaar Number.

3. An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

4. Enter the OTP and submit. Your e-KYC will be instantly authenticated.

B. Biometric-Based e-KYC (at CSC):
If your mobile number is not linked to Aadhaar, you can visit a CSC. The VLE will complete your e-KYC using your biometric authentication (fingerprint/iris scan).

Note: Without successful e-KYC, your name will be put on hold, and you will not receive any installments, even if you are a registered beneficiary.

11. PM Kisan Installment Schedule and Payment Tracker

The financial year for PM Kisan is divided into three payment periods:

• 1st Installment: April to July

• 2nd Installment: August to November

• 3rd Installment: December to March

The PM Kisan 17th Installment was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2024. The government does not announce fixed dates for installments in advance; they are released based on the verification process and the election code of conduct.

You can track your payment history on the portal using your Aadhaar number or registration number to see a complete ledger of all credits received.

12. How to Correct Aadhaar & Name Mismatch Issues

A very common reason for payment failure is a mismatch between the name on the Aadhaar card and the name registered in the PM Kisan database or bank account.

Solution:

1. Update Aadhaar First: If the name spelling is incorrect on your Aadhaar card, you must first get it corrected at the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra. This is the root of the problem.

2. Update Bank Records: Ensure your bank has the exact same name as on your updated Aadhaar card.

3. Inform Local Authorities: After updating Aadhaar and bank details, you may need to contact the Patwari or the local agriculture department to update the records in the PM Kisan system. Alternatively, the ‘Name Correction’ feature on the portal can be used if available.

13. Common Problems and Their Solutions

14. The PM Kisan 17th Installment: Latest Update

The PM Kisan 17th Installment was a significant event, releasing over ₹20,000 crore to more than 9 crore beneficiary farmer families across India. This installment, released in June 2024, continued the government’s commitment to timely financial support.

Farmers were urged to complete their e-KYC to receive the payment without interruption. The event was also used to highlight the scheme’s success in reaching the grassroots and its role in transforming rural livelihoods.

15. PM Kisan and Its Integration with Other Schemes

The PM Kisan scheme is not an isolated program. It is part of a larger ecosystem of government initiatives aimed at farmer welfare. For instance, the PM-KISAN Aadhaar linkage is crucial for the scheme’s operation. Furthermore, the data from PM Kisan is being used to identify beneficiaries for other schemes, creating a synergistic effect.

The government is also promoting the use of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) in conjunction with PM Kisan, providing farmers with access to affordable credit. According to a report by NITI Aayog, the convergence of such schemes can significantly amplify their impact on farmer income. You can read more about agricultural policy analysis on the NITI Aayog website: https://www.niti.gov.in/

16. The Impact of PM Kisan on Rural India

The impact of the PM Kisan scheme has been profound and multi-faceted.

• Economic Resilience: The assured annual income of ₹6,000 has provided a safety net, helping farmers weather poor monsoon seasons and price shocks.

• Stimulating Local Economies: The direct cash transfers have increased the purchasing power in rural areas, leading to higher spending on consumer goods, education, and healthcare, thereby boosting the local economy.

• Reducing Distress Migration: By providing a stable source of income, the scheme has, in some regions, reduced the need for farmers to migrate to cities in search of work during lean agricultural seasons.

• Digital and Financial Inclusion: The scheme has been a massive driver for Aadhaar seeding, bank account opening, and digital literacy in remote rural areas.

A study published by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that PM Kisan led to significant increases in household consumption and investment in inputs, particularly for the smallest landholders. For more detailed research on global agricultural economics, you can visit IFPRI’s repository: https://www.ifpri.org/

17. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. I have not received the latest PM Kisan installment. What should I do?
A1. First, check your status on the official portal. If it shows ‘Payment Failed’, the most likely reasons are pending e-KYC or bank account issues. Complete your e-KYC and ensure your bank details are correct.

Q2. Can a farmer who owns land in two different states register twice?
A2. No. The scheme is for a family as a unit. A single family can only register once, even if they own multiple plots of land in different states. The total financial assistance remains ₹6,000 per year per family.

Q3. Is there a dedicated PM Kisan Helpline number?
A3. Yes, you can call the PM Kisan Helpline at 155261 or 011-23381092. You can also email your queries to pmkisan-ict@gov.in.

Q4. What is the official PM Kisan mobile app?
A4. The official app is called ‘PM KISAN’ and is available for free download on the Google Play Store for Android phones. It allows you to check status, do e-KYC, and view beneficiary lists.

Q5. How does the government ensure that the money is not misused?
A5. The use of Aadhaar-based authentication, direct bank transfers, and mandatory e-KYC minimizes the chances of fraud. Furthermore, the public-facing beneficiary list allows for social audit and transparency. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) regularly monitors the data. You can find their official reports here: https://agriculture.gov.in/

18. Conclusion: Empowering the Annadata

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana stands as a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Indian farmer. It is one of the largest direct benefit transfer schemes in the world, and its successful implementation has set a global benchmark.

By providing direct, transparent, and timely financial support, PM Kisan has not only eased the economic burdens of countless families but has also restored a sense of dignity and hope. It is a crucial step towards doubling farmer incomes and building an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).

As the scheme evolves with technological integrations like the PM Kisan mobile app and mandatory e-KYC, its efficiency and reach are only set to improve. For every eligible farmer, understanding and utilizing this scheme is their right. We hope this ultimate guide serves as a valuable companion in your journey to claim that right and secure your financial well-being.

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. The details of the PM Kisan scheme are subject to change as per government directives. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official PM Kisan website: https://pmkisan.gov.in/.