Context
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme for four more years (2026-27 to 2030-31) with a total financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore. Since its launch in February 2019, the scheme has become one of India’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programmes for farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
- Launch: 24 February 2019
- Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Objective
- To provide income support to eligible farmer families for meeting agricultural and allied expenses.
- To enhance farmers’ financial security and reduce dependence on informal credit.
- Financial Assistance
- ₹6,000 per year per eligible farmer family.
- Paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every four months.
- Amount is transferred directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
Key Features
- Covers eligible landholding farmer families across India.
- Funds are transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts linked with Aadhaar.
- Uses PM-KISAN Portal, Aadhaar authentication and e-KYC for transparency.
- Supports purchase of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, farm machinery and other agricultural inputs.
Latest Cabinet Decision (2026)
- Scheme extended from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- Total financial outlay: ₹3.15 lakh crore.
- More than ₹4.47 lakh crore transferred directly to farmers through 23 instalments.
- Over 9.49 crore farmers benefited under the 23rd instalment.
- Women farmers have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore, with nearly one in every four beneficiaries being a woman.
Significance
- Provides assured minimum income support to farmers.
- Encourages timely investment in agricultural operations.
- Improves agricultural productivity and farm resilience.
- Reduces dependence on informal moneylenders.
- Strengthens financial inclusion through DBT.
- Enhances rural household income and supports inclusive agricultural growth.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- DBT is a mechanism through which government subsidies and benefits are credited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- It minimizes leakages, duplication, corruption and delays.
- PM-KISAN is among the largest DBT schemes implemented in India.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC: PM-KISAN |
Q. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
2. Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
3. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A. 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1: Correct. PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme, fully financed by the Government of India.
• Statement 2: Correct. Under the scheme, eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, not the Ministry of Rural Development.