PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi): Benefits, Eligibility and Key Facts
Last updated: 2026-11-13 · MockMentor
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) gives every eligible landholding farmer family ₹6,000 a year, paid straight into their bank account. It was launched on 24 February 2019, with effect from 1 December 2018.
In one line: a fully centrally funded income support of ₹6,000 a year, paid in three instalments of ₹2,000, to all landholding farmer families except those with higher economic status.
PM-KISAN at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 24 February 2019 (effective 1 December 2018) |
| Ministry | Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Type | Central Sector Scheme (100% Centre funded) |
| Benefit | ₹6,000 a year in three instalments of ₹2,000, every four months |
| Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts |
| Budget 2026-27 | ₹60,000 crore |
| Helpline | 155261 |
Who can get it
- At first, only small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares. From 1 June 2019 it covers all landholding farmer families.
- The land must be in the beneficiary's name. The cut-off date for land ownership is 1 February 2019, except for land received through succession.
Who is excluded
- Institutional landholders
- Families with present or former holders of constitutional posts, ministers, MPs, MLAs and mayors
- Serving or retired government and public sector employees (except Group D and similar staff)
- Pensioners drawing ₹10,000 a month or more
- Anyone who paid income tax in the last assessment year
- Registered doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects
Key features
- e-KYC through OTP, biometrics or face authentication.
- A PM-KISAN mobile app for self-registration and status checks, and Kisan-eMitra, an AI chatbot launched in September 2023 that answers queries in 11 languages.
- Kisan Credit Cards are being provided to all PM-KISAN beneficiaries.
- Physical verification of 5% of beneficiaries, with grievances handled through the PM-KISAN portal and the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
Facts to remember
- Central Sector Scheme, so the Centre bears the full cost.
- ₹2,000 every four months, three times a year.
- Farmers can use PM-KISAN money to pay their contribution under the PM Kisan Maan-Dhan pension scheme.
Possible exam questions
- Is income support better than input subsidies for Indian farmers? Discuss with reference to PM-KISAN.
- How has digital public infrastructure such as Aadhaar and DBT changed the delivery of PM-KISAN?
Complete notes in our courses: this page gives the essentials. Our Super-Elite and Elite courses carry the full PM-KISAN chapter with every update, linked schemes and practice MCQs. Compare the courses.
More in Agriculture schemes
- PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
- Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
- PM Kisan Maan-Dhan
- PM Fasal Bima Yojana
- e-NAM
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