The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN Yojana) is a Central Sector Scheme that aims at providing financial assistance to all cultivable land holding farmer families across the country, subject to certain exclusion criteria. The scheme provides eligible farmers with an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000, distributed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The 18th installment was disbursed on October 5, 2024.

Recent Update

Farmers are now anticipating the 19th installment, which is expected to be released in the first week of February 2025. However, the government has not yet officially confirmed the exact date. To ensure receipt of the upcoming installment, farmers should:

1. Verify Beneficiary Status:
   • Visit the official PM-KISAN website.
   • Navigate to the ‘Beneficiary Status’ section under ‘Farmers Corner.’
   • Enter your Aadhaar number, bank account number, or mobile number to check your payment status.
2. Complete e-KYC:
   • e-KYC is mandatory for all PM-KISAN registered farmers.
   • Complete the process online through the PM-KISAN portal or visit the nearest Common Service Center (CSC) for biometric authentication.
3. Link Mobile Number:
   • On the PM-KISAN portal, select ‘Update Mobile Number’ under ‘Farmers Corner.’
   • Provide your Aadhaar details and verify using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN Scheme)?

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is subsidy benefits from various Indian welfare schemes directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. To avail of the DBT benefits, beneficiaries must ensure they link their bank account to their Aadhaar number.

Under the Scheme landholder Farmer families with total cultivable holding upto 2 hectares an amount of Rs. 6000 is transferred annually in three equal installments of Rs.2000 directly into the Aadhaar Seeded bank accounts of the farmers.

Objectives of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

• To Boost Small and Marginal Farmers’ Income: In the ongoing fiscal year, the government has introduced a new Central Sector Scheme designed to enhance the income of Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs).
• To address financial inclusion: The PM KISAN scheme is geared towards addressing the financial requirements of SMFs, facilitating the procurement of essential inputs for optimal crop health and yields.
• Ensuring Sustainable Farming Income: The primary objective of PM KISAN is to safeguard SMFs from resorting to moneylenders to meet agricultural expenses, thereby ensuring their sustained engagement in farming activities.

Features of PM KISAN Samman Nidhi 

• Scope and Scale- The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is poised to benefit a substantial 12 crore small and marginal farmers. The program boasts an impressive annual budgetary allocation of Rs 75,000 crore.
• Direct benefit transfer to individuals- Each PM KISAN beneficiary is entitled to receive the allocated amount directly into their bank account. The disbursement is structured in three tranches, with each tranche amounting to Rs 2,000. Direct transfer eliminates discrepancies and middleman.
• Ensured Income- The prime aim of PM KISAN is to ensure that farmers receive a minimum income. Eligible farming families get Rs. 6,000 in three equal parts every four months.
• Utlization of funds as per their requirement- Beneficiaries of PM KISAN have the freedom to use the money they receive from the scheme. They can use it for various needs. There is full autonomy in their spending decisions.
• All funds from the Central Government- All the funds for the PM KISAN program come from the central government. Initially, the program was allocated a reserve of Rs. 75,000 crore per year, with direct transfers made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
• Participation of States- Identifying the beneficiaries is the responsibility of the State and Union Territory administrations, while the Government of India takes charge of providing the necessary funding. 
  • To qualify for the program, a farmer family should include a husband, wife, and minor child or children, as determined by these governments.
• Mandatory Aadhaar Requirement- To avail the benefit of this scheme, it is essential to provide Aadhaar data as a compulsory prerequisite beneficiaries who don’t have AADHAR data can enroll themselves from nearest CSC centre.
• Self-Registration Mechanism- Beneficiaries can use  PM KISAN mobile App a mobile app and can register themselves in Common Service Centers, the scheme introduces a convenient self-registration mechanism for beneficiaries.
• Centralized Call Center Support- A dedicated centralized call center has been set up to assist beneficiaries, addressing issues encountered during registration or any other grievances they may have.
• Annual Physical Verification Requirement- Ensuring scheme authenticity, a mandatory annual physical verification is conducted for 5% of beneficiaries, contributing to the robustness of the verification process.

Benefits of PM KISAN Samman Nidhi

• DBT Advantages- The PM Kisan scheme leverages Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) as a pivotal mechanism, eliminating intermediaries and streamlining the direct transfer of funds.
• Inclusive Coverage- Regardless of land holdings, the program ensures comprehensive coverage, reaching every farmer family across the nation.
• Digital Transformation- Embracing digitization, all farmer-related records are systematically maintained on an official digital platform. This initiative simplifies the registration process and facilitates seamless fund transfers.
• Enhancing Farmer Liquidity- A key outcome of this scheme is the alleviation of liquidity constraints faced by farmers. It empowers them to manage agricultural expenses, allied activities, and domestic needs with greater financial flexibility.
• Greater Coverage- The scheme covers all farmer families in the country irrespective of the size of their land holdings.
• A step to reform in agriculture- Many new systems were launched spanning from seed to market and a lot of reforms were brought in the old systems in the agriculture sector. 

Progress of PM KISAN Samman Nidhi

• The PM KISAN scheme has been accessed by over 11 crore farmers nationwide, showcasing its extensive outreach and influence.
• The scheme has actively involved over 3 crore women farmers, underscoring its commitment to gender inclusivity and the empowerment of women in the agricultural sector.

Challenges for PM KISAN 

• Insufficient Financial Support- The effectiveness of PM KISAN hinges on the provision of substantial financial aid, ensuring farmers possess the necessary purchasing power for meeting their daily basic needs. Notably, the cash transfer is not tied to the size of the farmer’s land.
• Limited Reach to All Farmers- Contrary to pro-poor objectives, PM KISAN seems to benefit recipients who were relatively better off even before the lockdown, raising concerns about its inclusivity among the broader rural population.
• Exclusion of Landless Farmers- The scheme’s criteria exclude impoverished rural households without land ownership, highlighting a significant limitation in its scope.
• Implementation Challenges- Despite its potential for positive welfare outcomes, PM KISAN’s top-down implementation approach neglects governance constraints, posing challenges to its effective execution.
• Structural Concerns- Shifting budgetary allocations significantly toward cash transfers may raise apprehensions about the potential impact on long-term commitments in agricultural markets and crucial infrastructure areas like irrigation.

Way Forward to PM KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana

• Proactive Role of Banks- Banks engaged in primary sector lending, including the disbursement of crop loans, must be adequately sensitized regarding their crucial role in effectively implementing PM KISAN.
• Strengthening IT Backbone- States with robust computerized land records databases and well-established IT infrastructure are better positioned for successful PM KISAN implementation and also minimizes pilferage. 
• Efficient Targeting and Land Records- PM KISAN, aiding small farmers, needs attention in states with irregular land records. Prompt addressing of claim challenges due to land partitioning and preventive measures against fraudulent claims are crucial.
• Structural Reforms for Sustainability- Streamlining input subsidies minimizes environmental impact. Recognizing income support limitations, prioritize increased rural infrastructure investments and agricultural R&D for higher farm incomes.

Recent Development of PM KISAN Scheme

• In June 2023 the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India rolled out Face Authentication Feature in the PM KISAN app to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of welfare schemes.

SWOT Analysis of PM PM KISAN Samman Nidhi