Over Rs 4.46 lakh crore has been disbursed through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme since its launch in 2019, making it one of the largest direct benefit transfer initiatives globally. The 23rd instalment of the scheme was recently distributed in Tarakeswar, Hooghly, West Bengal, with nearly 9.44 crore eligible farmers, including over 2.18 crore women, receiving around Rs 18,880 crore in financial aid.
PM-KISAN, a centrally sponsored scheme initiated on February 24, 2019, aims to provide income support to landholding farmer families across India. Under this scheme, each eligible farmer family receives annual financial assistance of ₹6,000, disbursed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. The fact-sheet highlighted that more than Rs 4.46 lakh crore has been disbursed to eligible farmer families through 23 instalments, emphasizing the importance of seeding land records in the PM-KISAN portal for availing benefits.
To enhance farmers’ income security, the Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated Rs 60,000 crore for the PM-KISAN scheme, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting small and marginal farmers. By providing financial aid for agricultural inputs, the scheme aims to boost crop health, productivity, and reduce farmers’ dependence on informal credit sources, ensuring the continuity of agricultural activities.
The PM-KISAN scheme has been recognized as one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer initiatives globally, with more than 23% of beneficiaries being women, showcasing its inclusive nature. The government has implemented various measures to facilitate easy access to PM-KISAN benefits for eligible farmers, including onboarding over 5 lakh Common Service Centres to assist with farmer registration and e-KYC completion. Additionally, special drives have expanded the scheme’s coverage, with initiatives like Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and the 100-day campaign adding millions of farmers to the scheme.
