Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on February 24, 2025, during a significant event taking place in Bhagalpur, Bihar. This initiative is aimed at providing financial assistance to farming families across India, with approximately 9.8 crore farmers expected to benefit from the release of about ₹22,000 crore.
Launched on February 24, 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides annual income support of ₹6,000 to eligible landholding farmer families, which is distributed in three installments of ₹2,000 each, transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts every four months. This support has proven to be pivotal for many farmers, enabling them to cover expenses on seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs.
According to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the government has consistently worked to engage with the farming community, and the number of beneficiaries has seen an increase from 9.6 crore during the last installment to the current figure of 9.8 crore. He emphasized, “Prime Minister will release the 19th installment of PM-KISAN on February 24 at a function in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The amount will be directly credited to bank accounts of eligible farmers.”
Since the scheme's inception, the government has disbursed more than ₹3.46 lakh crore to assist farmers, and with the latest installment, this amount will increase to around ₹3.68 lakh crore. This makes PM-KISAN the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, emphasizing the government’s unwavering dedication to nurturing the agricultural sector.
The PM-KISAN scheme also includes specific eligibility criteria. It is available to all landholding farmer families who have cultivable land registered under their names. Excluded from benefits are certain categories such as institutional landholders, current and former representatives, and pensioners receiving monthly pensions of ₹10,000 or more.
Another necessary procedure for those wishing to benefit from this scheme is the completion of the eKYC (Know Your Customer) process. Farmers can complete the eKYC requirement through several methods: OTP-based verification via the PM-Kisan portal, biometric verification at authorized Common Service Centres (CSCs), or face authentication using the PM Kisan Mobile App. E-KYC is mandatory and ensures the authenticity of beneficiaries receiving funds.
On the sixth anniversary of the PM-KISAN scheme, Modi expressed his satisfaction over its impact on farmers during the official press briefing. He stated, “Many congratulations to our farmer brothers and sisters across the country on the completion of 6 years of PM Kisan. It is a matter of immense satisfaction and pride for me...”
With the increasing number of beneficiaries, the event slated for February 24 is expected to see participation from around 2.5 crore farmers, both physically and virtually. This indicates the scheme's growing popularity and the government’s efforts to maintain dialogue surrounding agricultural welfare.
Farmers who wish to check their beneficiary status under the PM-KISAN scheme can easily do so by visiting the official PM Kisan website. By selecting the ‘Beneficiary Status’ option and entering either their Aadhaar number or account number, they can access their payment details and status. Farmers can also update their mobile numbers to maintain communication with the program.
The commitment to enhancing farmers’ income extends beyond financial aid; the government is also focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Chouhan mentioned the government's initiative to encourage natural farming and improve efficiency within the agricultural sector.
Those who are not sure if they qualify for the benefits can consult the eligibility guidelines provided on the PM Kisan website, which specifies the necessary criteria for participation. This includes not only checks related to income but also land verification.
With the 19th installment on the horizon, it becomes evident the PM-KISAN scheme plays a significant role not just as financial support but as part of broader agricultural reform aimed at uplifting the lives of farmers across India. The upcoming disbursement is more than just another fiscal transfer; it encapsulates the government's persistent efforts to empower rural farming communities and create long-term agricultural sustainability.