Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 21st instalment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on November 19, 2025. Launched in February 2019, the Central Sector scheme provides Rs 6,000 annually to each eligible farmer family. So far, over Rs 3.70 lakh crore has been transferred directly to more than 11 crore farmers through 20 instalments, making it one of the world’s largest DBT programmes. Notably, more than 25% of its beneficiaries are women.
The scheme leverages a robust digital ecosystem—including Aadhaar authentication, e-KYC, and digital public infrastructure—to ensure transparent and hassle-free delivery of benefits without middlemen. Farmers can complete e-KYC through OTP, biometric, or face authentication.
To enhance accessibility, the government offers multiple platforms for beneficiaries, including the PM-KISAN mobile app and the portal’s “Farmers Corner,” which now features a new “Know Your Status” option. Registrations can also be done through Common Service Centres and Aadhaar-based bank accounts can be opened at doorstep via India Post Payments Bank.
A dedicated grievance redressal system is available on the PM-KISAN portal and CPGRAMS, supported by the AI-powered multilingual chatbot Kisan-eMitra. Available in 11 languages, it enables farmers to check payment status, resolve queries, and access scheme information through voice-enabled, touch-free interaction.
The government is also conducting saturation drives to bring all eligible farmers into the scheme. Additionally, a new Farmer Registry is being developed to create a unified, verified database, streamlining access to various welfare schemes.
A study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (2019) found that PM-KISAN has boosted rural economic activity, eased credit constraints, and encouraged higher investment in agriculture and other essential needs.