Overview

PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in December 2018 and implemented from 2019 onwards to provide assured income support to landholding farmer families.

Key Features

Financial Parameters

  • Annual Assistance: ₹6,000 per eligible farmer family
  • Installment Structure: Three equal installments of ₹2,000 each
  • Total Outlay (2026-31): ₹3.15 lakh crore
  • Budget 2026-27 Allocation: ₹60,000 crore
  • Cumulative Transfers: Over ₹4.47 lakh crore through 23 installments

Delivery Mechanism

  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Funds transferred directly to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts
  • Digital Platform: PM-KISAN portal and mobile app enable registration, verification, fund tracking, and e-KYC
  • State Role: State Governments identify eligible households and maintain database (name, age, category, Aadhaar, bank details, mobile number)

Monitoring Framework

  • Multi-tier system at national, State, and district levels
  • National review chaired by the Cabinet Secretary
  • States submit weekly progress reports

Impact and Achievements

COVID-19 Response

  • Over ₹1.71 lakh crore disbursed during the pandemic period

Gender Inclusivity

  • Women farmers constitute nearly one-fourth of beneficiaries
  • Women farmers have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore

NITI Aayog Evaluation Findings

  • 92% of beneficiaries used assistance for agricultural activities/investment
  • 85% reported higher agricultural income
  • Reduced dependence on informal credit

Agricultural Growth (2020-21 to 2025-26)

  • Cultivated area increased by 9.65%
  • Productivity increased by 10.53%
  • Total foodgrain production increased by 21.18%

Objectives

  1. Increase farmers' income
  2. Support purchase of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilisers)
  3. Improve crop health and productivity
  4. Reduce dependence on informal credit
  5. Strengthen rural economy

Constitutional/Policy Context

  • Article 38: State shall secure a social order for promotion of welfare of people
  • SDG Goal 2: Zero Hunger - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition
  • Part of broader government strategy for Doubling Farmers' Income by 2022

UPSC PYQ Connection

  • 2020 Prelims: Kisan Credit Card Scheme question on short-term credit purposes
  • 2022 Mains: Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme limitations
  • 2015 Mains: Digital India programme for farmers' productivity