Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on March 13, transferring over ₹18,640 crore directly to the bank accounts of more than 9.32 crore farmer families across India through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared the details on Wednesday, stating that the instalment will be released by the Prime Minister during a programme in Guwahati, Assam.
Total Transfers Under PM-KISAN to Cross ₹4.27 Lakh Crore
According to the Agriculture Minister, since the launch of the scheme in February 2019, the government has transferred more than ₹4.09 lakh crore directly into the bank accounts of eligible farmers.
With the release of the 22nd instalment, the total cumulative transfer will cross ₹4.27 lakh crore, making the PM-KISAN scheme one of the largest direct income support programmes for farmers.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, each eligible farmer family receives ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments, which are credited directly to their bank accounts.
Chouhan said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to providing direct income support to small and marginal farmers, who are often referred to as the country’s “Annadatas.”
Women Farmers Among Major Beneficiaries
The Union Minister highlighted that over 2.15 crore women farmers will receive financial assistance under the 22nd instalment of the scheme.
He noted that the PM-KISAN programme has become an important support system for women farmers and marginal farming families, helping them meet agricultural expenses as well as household needs such as education and healthcare.
Scheme Boosting Rural Economy
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, independent studies suggest that the PM-KISAN scheme has boosted rural demand, reduced dependence on debt and encouraged greater agricultural investment.
The scheme operates through India’s digital public infrastructure, ensuring transparency and eliminating the role of intermediaries in the transfer of benefits.
Easier e-KYC and Payment Tracking for Farmers
To simplify access for beneficiaries, the government has introduced a “Know Your Status” (KYS) module on the PM-KISAN portal. Farmers can now check details such as:
- Payment status
- Eligibility status
- Aadhaar linking
- Land seeding
- e-KYC status
Additionally, the government has launched a face-authentication-based mobile app, allowing farmers to complete e-KYC from home without OTP or biometric devices.
The Agriculture Ministry has also introduced “Kisan-eMitra,” an AI-powered chatbot that provides round-the-clock assistance in 11 regional languages to help farmers resolve queries related to the scheme.
Verification Measures to Ensure Genuine Beneficiaries
The government has also introduced a “Voluntary Surrender” facility, enabling affluent farmers to opt out of the scheme if they wish.
At the same time, authorities are verifying records to remove ineligible or deceased beneficiaries from the database, while states and Union Territories have been asked to accelerate registration and e-KYC verification of eligible farmers.
Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, farmers’ welfare remains central to policymaking, highlighting initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards programme, and expansion of Kisan Credit Cards as part of broader efforts to strengthen India’s agricultural sector.
