The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is one of the flagship welfare programs launched by the Government of India to provide direct income support to farmers. Designed to enhance agricultural productivity and stabilise rural incomes, the scheme aims to supplement farmers’ financial needs for procuring inputs, improving farm operations, and ensuring dignified livelihoods.

Under PM-Kisan, the central government disburses Rs 6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal installments of Rs 2,000, every four months. This amount is directly credited to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring transparency and minimising delays or leakages.

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Since its launch in 2019, PM-Kisan has emerged as the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer scheme in terms of scale and reach. The scheme has already completed 19 installments, with disbursements occurring at regular four-month intervals.

The most recent — 19th installment — was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2025, benefiting over 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.4 crore women beneficiaries. Prior to this, the 18th installment was released in October 2024 and the 17th in June 2024.

With the 19th installment released in February, the 20th installment is expected in June 2025. Although the exact release date and venue have not been officially announced, it is widely anticipated that Prime Minister Modi will again preside over the disbursal ceremony.

Farmers are urged to complete their e-KYC, check their eligibility status, and ensure that their details are up to date to avoid missing out on the upcoming payment.

What is the PM-Kisan Scheme?

Announced in the 2019 Interim Budget by then Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, PM-Kisan is a centrally sponsored income support scheme aimed at small and marginal farmers. The Rs 6,000 annual amount is distributed in three cycles:

  • April–July
  • August–November
  • December–March

The support helps farmers manage seasonal expenditures, invest in productivity, and reduce dependence on informal credit.

Who is eligible for PM-Kisan scheme?

To qualify for the 20th installment, a farmer must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a citizen of India
  • Should own cultivable agricultural land
  • Must be a small or marginal farmer
  • Should not be a pensioner receiving Rs10,000 or more per month
  • Must not have filed income tax in the previous assessment year
  • Should not be an institutional landholder

Farmers falling outside these parameters are excluded from the scheme to ensure targeted benefits.

e-KYC: A mandatory step

According to the official PM-Kisan portal, “eKYC is MANDATORY for all PM-KISAN registered farmers.”

Farmers can complete the e-KYC process in two ways:

  1. OTP-based e-KYC via the official PM-KISAN Portal
  2. Biometric-based e-KYC at the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)

Timely completion of e-KYC ensures uninterrupted flow of benefits.

How to check PM-Kisan beneficiary status

To check whether your name is included in the list of beneficiaries:

  1. Visit https://pmkisan.gov.in
  2. Click on ‘Know Your Status’
  3. Enter your registration number, fill in the captcha, and click ‘Get Data’
  4. Your current beneficiary status will be displayed

How to view the PM-Kisan beneficiary list

To verify if your name appears in the official village-wise list:

  1. Go to https://pmkisan.gov.in
  2. Click on ‘Beneficiary List’
  3. Select your State, District, Sub-district, Block, and Village
  4. Click on ‘Get Report’ to view the complete list
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How to register for PM-Kisan

If you’re a new applicant and meet the eligibility criteria, follow these steps:

  1. Visit https://pmkisan.gov.in
  2. Click on ‘New Farmer Registration’
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha
  4. Fill in the required details and click ‘Yes’
  5. Complete the registration form and submit it
  6. Take a printout for future reference

Farmers can reach out for support through the PM-Kisan Helpline numbers:

  • 155261
  • 011-24300606

Timely action on e-KYC, registration, and verification processes will ensure that farmers continue to benefit from one of India’s most transformative income support initiatives.