The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a landmark initiative by the Government of India, specifically aimed at supporting the country’s farmers. This scheme, introduced on 24th February 2019, offers financial assistance to land-owning farmers to help them meet agricultural costs. Under this scheme, farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments, each of ₹2,000, directly transferred into their bank accounts. The funds are transferred through a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and efficiency. The financial assistance can significantly ease the burden of agricultural inputs and help farmers sustain their livelihoods.
Key Highlights of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2025
- Total Annual Assistance: ₹6,000, distributed in three installments of ₹2,000 each.
- Direct Transfer: The funds are transferred directly into the beneficiary’s bank account.
- Frequency of Payment: The installment is transferred every four months.
- Eligibility: The scheme is available to all land-owning farmers whose names are registered in the land records.
- Beneficiaries: All farmers in India who own land are eligible to apply, including those who have small holdings.
Eligibility Criteria for PM Kisan Yojana 2025
The eligibility criteria have been made quite inclusive, ensuring that a large number of farmers can benefit from this scheme. The major eligibility conditions include:
- Indian Citizenship: Only Indian citizens are eligible for the scheme.
- Land Ownership: Beneficiaries must be farmers with land registered in their names on government land records.
- Income and Asset Criteria: Initially, the scheme was only available to farmers owning land up to 2 hectares, but this restriction was removed in June 2019. Now, every farmer with land ownership is eligible for this financial assistance.
- No Income Limit: There is no income limit for the beneficiaries of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Scheme Exclusion
The following categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible for benefits under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme:
- Institutional Land Holders: Institutional landholders are not eligible to apply for this scheme.
- Farmer Families in Specific Categories: Former and present holders of constitutional posts, Former and present Ministers/State Ministers and former/present Members of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/State Legislative Assemblies/State Legislative Councils, and Former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations and former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats
- Government Officers and Employees: All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/State Government Ministries/Offices/Departments, Central or State Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs), Attached offices, and Autonomous Institutions under Government. Regular employees of Local Bodies (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).
- Superannuated/Retired Pensioners: All superannuated or retired pensioners whose monthly pension is ₹10,000 or more (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).
- Income Tax Payers: All persons who paid income tax in the last assessment year are excluded from this scheme.
Important Documents Needed for Registration
Farmers need to provide several documents to register for this scheme:
- Aadhaar Card: Must be linked to the applicant’s mobile number.
- Bank Account Details: A valid bank account linked to the farmer’s Aadhaar card.
- Pan Card (if available).
- Passport-sized Photograph.
- Land Ownership Documents: Such as Khatauni, Khasra, or Land Registration ID.
- Ration Card Number.
- Mobile Number: Must be linked with Aadhaar for verification.
How to Apply for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
Initially, farmers had to apply for the PM Kisan scheme through offline means, either by approaching local authorities or the revenue department. However, to streamline the process and make it more accessible, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi application process can now be completed online. Here’s a step-by-step guide for registration:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of the PM Kisan scheme: pmkisan.gov.in.
- Step 2: On the homepage, click on the Farmer’s Corner section.
- Step 3: Click on New Farmer Registration and select whether you are a rural or urban farmer.
- Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar Card number, linked mobile number, state, and captcha code. Click on Get OTP.
- Step 5: After entering the OTP received on your registered mobile number, proceed to fill in your details such as district, sub-district, and block.
- Step 6: In the Farmer Personal Details section, provide your caste, farmer type (small or large), and land registration ID.
- Step 7: Enter your land details, such as Khata number, Dag number, and land area in hectares. Upload the necessary supporting documents, such as the land record.
- Step 8: Once all the details are filled, submit your application. You will receive a Farmer ID, which will be used to track your future transactions.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2025 Installments
The installment schedule for the PM Kisan Yojana is as follows:
- 14th Installment: 28th July 2024
- 15th Installment: 31st November 2024
- 16th Installment: 28th February 2025
- 17th Installment: 5th October 2025
The government transfers the payment of ₹2,000 per installment four times a year, directly to the farmer’s bank account. You can easily check the status of your installment through the official portal.
How to Check PM Kisan Beneficiary Status
- Visit the Official PM Kisan Website: pmkisan.gov.in.
- Go to Farmer’s Corner and select Beneficiary Status.
- Enter Your Registration Number or Aadhaar Number to check your eligibility and the status of your installments.
E-KYC for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
The government has mandated that all beneficiaries must complete their E-KYC to continue receiving the installments under the scheme. Here’s how to complete it:
- Option 1: Visit the official PM Kisan website and click on E-KYC. Follow the prompts to verify your Aadhaar details and mobile number.
- Option 2: Visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) for biometric authentication.
Once your E-KYC is verified, you will be able to access the benefits of the scheme without any issues.
Changes in PM Kisan Yojana
The scheme has undergone several changes to make it more accessible to farmers:
- Removal of Land Ownership Limit: Initially, the scheme was available only to farmers with at least 2 hectares of land, but this condition was lifted in 2019.
- Compulsory Aadhaar Linking: All beneficiaries must have their Aadhaar card linked to their bank account and mobile number to receive the benefits.
- Online Registration: The government has made the process of registration and application more accessible by allowing online registration.
- E-KYC Requirement: To ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive the benefits, the government has made E-KYC mandatory.
Conclusion
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a critical initiative for supporting Indian farmers and improving their financial well-being. By providing ₹6,000 annually, the scheme helps reduce their financial burdens and ensures that they can continue their agricultural activities with fewer constraints. Farmers across India, regardless of the size of their landholding, are eligible to receive this financial assistance, provided they meet the necessary criteria and complete the required steps for registration and E-KYC. However, it is important to note that certain categories, such as government employees, institutional landholders, and high-income individuals, are excluded from the scheme, ensuring the benefits are focused on the most vulnerable farmers.