PM-KISAN explained: what the scheme offers and who is eligible
PM-KISAN gives eligible farmer families direct income support of Rs 6,000 a year, paid in three installments. Here is how the scheme works and who qualifies.
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a central government scheme launched in 2019 that provides direct income support to landholding farmer families across India.
What the scheme provides
Eligible families receive Rs 6,000 per year, paid in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each, credited directly to the beneficiary's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Who is eligible
- All landholding farmer families, subject to the exclusion criteria set by the scheme.
- Land ownership records must be updated in the state's land records system, since eligibility verification is done against these records.
Who is excluded
The scheme excludes certain higher-income and institutional categories, including (subject to the latest official guidelines):
- Institutional landholders.
- Farmer families with a member who is a current or former holder of constitutional posts, current or former ministers, MPs/MLAs, or serving/retired government employees above certain grades (with specific exceptions for Group D/Class IV and multi-tasking staff).
- Income-tax payers in the previous assessment year.
- Doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants, and architects registered with their professional bodies and practising.
Because eligibility rules and installment schedules are updated by the government from time to time, always confirm your status directly on the official PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in) rather than relying on a third party.
How to check or register
- Visit the official PM-KISAN portal and use the "Beneficiary Status" option with your Aadhaar number, mobile number, or bank account number.
- New applicants can register through the portal, the Common Service Centres (CSCs), or their local revenue/agriculture department office.
- eKYC is mandatory for every installment; without a completed eKYC (via OTP on the portal, biometric authentication at a CSC, or the face-authentication app), payment is held even if you are otherwise eligible.
Common reasons payments get stuck
- Aadhaar not seeded/linked correctly with the bank account.
- Land record mismatch or pending land seeding verification at the state level.
- eKYC not completed for the current cycle.
If your payment is delayed, the first place to check is the "Status of Self Registered Farmer" or "Beneficiary Status" section on the official portal, since it usually shows the exact reason.