PM Kisan Samman Nidhi — How to Apply, Eligibility & Benefits

What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a Central Government scheme launched on 24 February 2019 that provides ₹6,000 per year directly to the bank accounts of small and marginal farmer families across India. The amount is paid in 3 installments of ₹2,000 each.

The scheme is funded entirely by the Central Government. As of 2024, over 11 crore farmer families have benefited from this scheme, with total disbursement crossing ₹3 lakh crore.

Key Benefits

• ₹6,000 per year (₹2,000 × 3 installments)
• Directly credited to bank account (DBT — Direct Benefit Transfer)
• No middlemen — money comes from Central Government
• Both husband and wife can register if they own land separately
• Covers all farmer families with cultivable landholding (no minimum or maximum land size limit)
• Money can be used for any purpose — seeds, fertilizer, equipment, household needs

Payment Schedule (Installment Details)

Note: Payment dates are not fixed to a specific day. The government releases funds in batches, so you may receive your installment anytime within the payment window. Some farmers receive it early, others towards the end of the period.

Installment History

Each installment is counted from the first payment of the scheme. As of 2024, the government has released 17+ installments since the scheme started. You can check how many installments you've received on the portal.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Farmers

• All farmer families with cultivable landholding (no minimum size)
• Both small and marginal farmers
• Land must be in the farmer's name (or spouse's name in some states)
• Landholding farmers across all states and Union Territories
• Farmers who own cultivable land as per state/UT land records

NOT Eligible (Exclusion Criteria)

The following categories are NOT eligible even if they own farmland:

• Institutional landholders (trusts, companies, organizations)
• Former/present holders of constitutional posts (President, Governor, etc.)
• Former/present Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Mayors, Zila Parishad Chairpersons
• Government/PSU employees (except multi-tasking staff/Group D/daily wage workers)
• Income tax payers (who paid income tax in the last assessment year)
• Professionals registered with professional bodies — doctors, engineers, lawyers, CAs, architects
• Pensioners receiving ₹10,000+ per month (excluding MTS/Group D/daily wage pensioners)
• Families where any member falls in the above categories (not just the land owner)

Important: Eligibility is checked at the family level. "Family" means husband, wife, and minor children. If any one member of the family is in the exclusion list, the entire family is ineligible.

Documents Required

• Aadhaar Card (mandatory — payments are Aadhaar-authenticated)
• Land ownership documents (Khasra/Khatauni/land records/7/12 extract/Patta)
• Bank account details (account number, IFSC code — must be in the farmer's name)
• Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification)
• Bank passbook first page (showing name, account number, IFSC)

Aadhaar must be linked to your bank account for receiving DBT payments. If not linked, visit your bank to seed Aadhaar with your account.

How to Register — Online

Step 1: Visit PM Kisan Portal

Go to pmkisan.gov.in

Step 2: Click "New Farmer Registration"

On the homepage, click "New Farmer Registration"

Step 3: Enter Aadhaar Number

• Select Rural or Urban farmer
• Enter your Aadhaar number
• Select your state
• Enter captcha
• Click "Get OTP" — OTP is sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile

Step 4: Fill Registration Form

• Name (as per Aadhaar — must match exactly)
• Father's/Husband's name
• Address and village details
• Category (SC/ST/OBC/General)
• Land details (survey number, Khasra number, area in hectares)
• Bank account number and IFSC code
• Mobile number

Step 5: Upload Documents

• Land ownership proof (Khasra/Khatauni scan)
• Bank passbook first page

Step 6: Submit

Note the registration number. Your application goes for verification by local authorities.

Step 7: Verification and Approval

• Local revenue officer/patwari verifies land records
• State government approves the application
• Verification typically takes 2-4 weeks but can take longer in some states
• Once approved, payments start from the next installment cycle

How to Register — Offline

If you're not comfortable with online registration:

1. Visit nearest Common Service Center (CSC) — they'll do it for free
2. Contact your local Patwari / Lekhpal / Agriculture Officer at the Gram Panchayat or Block office
3. They will assist with registration using your documents
4. You can also register through the PM Kisan mobile app (available on Google Play Store)
5. Some states have Kisan Seva Kendras that help with registration

CSC registration is free. Do not pay anyone for PM Kisan registration. If someone asks for money, it's a scam.

How to Check Payment Status (Beneficiary Status)

Method 1: Online Portal

1. Visit pmkisan.gov.in
2. Click "Beneficiary Status" (under Farmers Corner)
3. Enter Aadhaar number or account number or mobile number
4. View payment history — shows all installments received with dates and amounts
5. "FTO is generated and payment confirmation is pending" means payment is being processed

Method 2: PM Kisan App

1. Download PM Kisan app from Google Play Store
2. Open the app and tap "Beneficiary Status"
3. Enter your details and check status

Method 3: Helpline

Call 155261 or 011-24300606 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6 PM)

Understanding Payment Status Messages

How to Check Beneficiary List

1. Visit pmkisan.gov.in
2. Click "Beneficiary List" (under Farmers Corner)
3. Select State → District → Sub-District → Block → Village
4. Check if your name appears in the list
5. If your name is missing despite registration, contact your local agriculture officer

e-KYC (Mandatory)

e-KYC is mandatory to continue receiving payments. Without e-KYC, your installments will be held/stopped.

How to Complete e-KYC — Online (OTP Based)

1. Visit pmkisan.gov.in → Click "e-KYC" (under Farmers Corner)
2. Enter your Aadhaar number
3. Click "Search" — your name will appear
4. Click "Get OTP" — OTP is sent to Aadhaar-linked mobile
5. Enter OTP and submit
6. e-KYC done! You'll see a success message

How to Complete e-KYC — Biometric (at CSC)

If OTP-based e-KYC fails (mobile number not linked to Aadhaar or SIM not available):

1. Visit nearest Common Service Center (CSC)
2. Carry your Aadhaar card
3. The CSC operator will do biometric e-KYC using fingerprint scanner
4. This is also free of cost

e-KYC must be done every year or as per government notification. Check the portal regularly for e-KYC deadlines.

How to Update Details on PM Kisan Portal

If you need to correct your name, bank details, or Aadhaar number:

1. Visit pmkisan.gov.in
2. Click "Updation of Self-Registered Farmer" (under Farmers Corner)
3. Enter Aadhaar number and get OTP
4. Update the required fields — bank account, IFSC, mobile number
5. Submit the changes

For land record updates or name corrections, contact your local agriculture officer or patwari. These changes need offline verification.

Common Problems and Solutions

Fees

All PM Kisan services are completely free:

• Registration: Free
• e-KYC: Free
• Status check: Free
• Updates: Free

Do not pay anyone for PM Kisan registration or e-KYC. If a CSC operator charges you, complain to the helpline.

Important Tips

1. Complete e-KYC immediately — Payments are held without it. Check and renew yearly.
2. Keep land records updated — Ensure your name is on the latest revenue records (Khatauni/7-12 extract)
3. Link Aadhaar to bank account — Required for DBT payment. Visit your bank if not done.
4. Check beneficiary status regularly — Installments can be held for various reasons including e-KYC expiry, bank account issues, or land record problems
5. Update bank details if you change accounts — Do it on the portal under "Updation of Self-Registered Farmer"
6. Keep your mobile number active — Same number should be linked to Aadhaar and registered on PM Kisan
7. Don't register if ineligible — If you or any family member pays income tax or is a government employee, don't register. Ineligible beneficiaries may have to return the money with interest.
8. Check for state top-up schemes — Some states like Telangana (Rythu Bandhu), Odisha (KALIA), and others have additional farmer schemes on top of PM Kisan

FAQs

Q: How much money do farmers get under PM Kisan? A: ₹6,000 per year in 3 installments of ₹2,000 each, directly to bank account via DBT.

Q: Can I register for PM Kisan online? A: Yes. Visit pmkisan.gov.in → New Farmer Registration. You need Aadhaar, land documents, and bank details.

Q: How to check PM Kisan payment status? A: Visit pmkisan.gov.in → Beneficiary Status → Enter Aadhaar/account number/mobile number. You can also call helpline 155261.

Q: Is e-KYC mandatory for PM Kisan? A: Yes. Without e-KYC, your installment payments will be held. Complete it on the PM Kisan portal using OTP or at a CSC center using biometrics.

Q: Can tenant farmers apply for PM Kisan? A: PM Kisan is for landholding farmers. Tenant farmers (who don't own land) are generally not eligible, though some states have included them under separate schemes.

Q: What if my PM Kisan payment is not received? A: Check if e-KYC is done, Aadhaar is linked to bank, and land records are verified. Also check beneficiary status for specific error messages. Contact helpline 155261 or your local agriculture officer.

Q: Can both husband and wife register separately? A: Only if both own land separately in their own names. If land is in one person's name, only that person can register.

Q: What is the helpline number for PM Kisan? A: Call 155261 or 011-24300606 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6 PM). You can also email pmkisan-ict@gov.in.

Q: Will I have to return PM Kisan money if found ineligible? A: Yes. If you received money despite being ineligible, you may be asked to return the amount with interest. The government conducts periodic audits.

Q: Is there any land size limit for PM Kisan? A: No. Earlier the scheme was only for small and marginal farmers (up to 2 hectares), but since June 2019, all landholding farmer families are eligible regardless of land size.

You May Also Need

• PM Jan Dhan Yojana
• NREGA Job Card Apply
• Rythu Bandhu Telangana