Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan)

About the Scheme

• Full Name: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan)
• Type: Central Sector Scheme (100% central funding)
• Launch / Effect Date: Launched February 2019; implemented from 1 December 2018
• Purpose: To provide income support to small and marginal landholding farmer families, to meet their agricultural and allied needs, and reduce distress
• Mechanism: The scheme transfers a fixed amount (₹6,000 annually, in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each) via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into farmers’ bank accounts, provided certain validations.
• IT / Digital Integration: It is a technology-driven IT solution; benefit is linked with Aadhaar and Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts to facilitate automatic payment transfers.

For Whom Is the Scheme / Beneficiary Type

• Target: Landholding farmer families (i.e. families owning cultivable land) registered in the land records of the respective States/UTs.
• Beneficiary Type: Individual farmers (family as a unit) with cultivable land.
• Excluded: Farmers/farmer families falling into the excluded categories (see “Who cannot apply” below).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for PM-Kisan:

• The family must be a landholding farmer family with cultivable land in their name.
• The farmer’s Aadhaar number must be valid and verified and must be linked with the bank account.
• Must not belong to any of the excluded categories (see below).
• Must comply with the landholding cut-off date (as fixed by scheme guidelines) for eligibility.
• Must satisfy verification by State / UT authorities.

Who Cannot Apply / Excluded Categories

Farmers / households that are explicitly excluded from PM-Kisan include:

• Those who belong to higher income / high-earning categories (e.g. government employees, pensioners above a certain amount, professionals) (as per scheme exclusions)
• Those who own non-agricultural land or whose land is not cultivable or used for non-agricultural purpose
• Farmers whose records do not match the State / UT land records
• Those whose Aadhaar / bank linkage or e-KYC fails
• Those who provided fraudulent or incorrect information
• In some interpretations: those whose family members are taxpayers or have large income (depending on state rules in exclusion)

Documents / Data Required

You must prepare the following:

• Aadhaar Card (used for e-KYC)
• Bank Account details (bank account number, IFSC, bank name) (must be Aadhaar-linked)
• Land records / landownership documents / proof of cultivable land (as per state records)
• Name & address as per Aadhaar / land records
• Photograph, possibly (depends on state)
• For e-KYC / verification: OTP to registered mobile linked to Aadhaar

Application Mode (How to Apply)

🖥 Online Application

1. Visit the official PM-Kisan portal: pmkisan.gov.in

• Go to “Farmers Corner” → “New Farmer Registration”

• Enter your Aadhaar number, select State, Captcha, etc., and proceed. The system will fetch some details automatically.
• Fill the remaining details: name, bank account, land records, etc.
• Submit and complete e-KYC (if needed) through OTP / Aadhaar linkage.
• Once approved, you become a beneficiary.

🏢 Offline / Assisted Application

• Approach village revenue / patwari / local agricultural / revenue office designated officers to help you enroll.
• Visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) in your area; they are authorized to register farmers.
• Submit the necessary physical form and documents.
• The State / UT Government will verify the data and approve.

How to Check Status / Status Check

You can check your application or beneficiary status using:

• On the PM-Kisan portal: “Farmers Corner → Status of Self-registered / CSC Farmers” section. Enter Aadhaar / registration number / captcha to “Get Data.”
• Or click “Beneficiary Status” on the portal.
• Alternatively, the status may also be checked via the helpline / IVRS numbers:
  • Helpline: 155261 (toll-free)  
  • Alternate: 011-2430 0606
• Some states also publish beneficiary lists village-wise on their state portals / district sites.

Follow-up & Escalation

If your registration or payment is delayed or your status is not updated:

1. Contact State / UT nodal officer of PM-Kisan (the scheme has State-level nodal officers)
2. Use the PM-Kisan / MoA & FW helpline / email:
   • PM-Kisan helpline: 155261
   • Email: pmkisan-ict@gov.in
3. ·  Use Kisan Call Centre toll-free line: 1800-180-1551
4. ·  At district / block level: approach the Agriculture / Revenue Department office or local officials to intervene.
5. ·  For unresolved issues, escalate to Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

Benefits (Detailed)

The scheme provides multiple benefits:

1. Regular Income Support: ₹6,000 per year to farmer families to help with agricultural inputs, living expenses, etc.
2. Direct Transfer: Payments go directly to farmer’s bank account, reducing leakage / delay.
3. Support for Small & Marginal Farmers: Helps them manage the rising cost of cultivation, seeds, fertilizers, labor, etc.
4. Financial Inclusion: Encourages linking of Aadhaar, bank accounts, and digital verification (e-KYC).
5. Stability & Assurance: Farmers can rely on the fixed support every year, assisting in planning.
6. Reduced Distress / Credit Dependence: Helps reduce the need for borrowing at high interest during critical crop phases.
7. Administrative Efficiency: Use of technology (portal, e-KYC, DBT) makes scheme more transparent and scalable.
8. Eligibility checks & exclusion rules: helps ensure that benefits reach intended vulnerable farmers (by excluding high-income / government employees etc.).

Payout / Benefit Amounts

The installment will be credited only after successful validation of Aadhaar, e-KYC, and state verification.

Annual amount: ₹6,000 per eligible farmer family

Installment pattern: Three equal installments of ₹2,000 each (quarterly / periodically as defined by the government)

Mode of payout: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account of the beneficiary

Contact / “Contact Us”

• PM-Kisan Contacts Page lists officials:
  • Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, MOS (Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
  • Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Helpline Numbers: 155261 (toll-free), 011-2430 0606
• Email: pmkisan-ict@gov.in

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoAFW): contact for oversight and escalation. The official “Who’s Who” list includes the Minister etc.

State Nodal Officers: Each State / UT has nodal officers whose email addresses are available on PM-Kisan portal / documents list

Kisan Call Centre: 1800-180-1551

FAQs

Q1. How many instalments are there per year?
Three instalments of ₹2,000 each (total ₹6,000 annually).

Q2. When is the scheme payment credited?
Typically, the government notifies the schedule for instalment disbursement during the financial year.

Q3. Can landless farmers apply?
No. The scheme is intended for landholding farmer families with cultivable land.

Q4. What if my name is not on the beneficiary list?
You may register (if eligible) or approach local officials for correction or inclusion.

Q5. Why did I not receive the instalment?
Possible reasons: Aadhaar-bank mismatch, failed e-KYC, discrepancy in land records, exclusion rules, or delay in state verification.

Q6. Can I update my bank / Aadhaar details later?
Yes, via the portal’s “Farmers Corner” where you can update bank details, Aadhaar, etc., subject to verification.

Q7. Is there any age limit?
No fixed age limit is explicitly stated in central guidelines; the focus is on landholding and family.

Q8. Is there any last date to apply?
No. Farmer registration / self-enrollment is usually open throughout the year.

Q9. Can a farmer in urban area benefit?
Yes, if the land is cultivable and recorded as agricultural land, even if located in an urban area.

Q10. How to correct errors in registration?
Visit local revenue / agricultural offices or use grievance modules / State level corrections for name, land, bank details, etc.

“Who is Who” – Key Officials & Top Authorities