PM KISAN Completes 7 Years with Close to ₹4 Lakh Crore Disbursed

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN) completed 7 years on February 24, 2026, marking its launch in 2019. The anniversary was acknowledged by the scheme’s official social media handle during the week, highlighting its continued relevance for landholding farmers across India.

PM KISAN remains a 100% centrally funded income support programme designed to supplement the financial needs of eligible cultivators. Since inception, the scheme has become one of India’s largest direct benefit transfer initiatives.

Scheme Structure and Annual Income Support

PM KISAN was launched in February 2019 as a central sector scheme aimed at providing targeted financial assistance to landholding farmer families. Under the programme, each eligible beneficiary receives ₹6,000 per year, disbursed in 3 equal instalments of ₹2,000.

These payments are transferred directly into Aadhaar‑seeded bank accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism to ensure transparent and timely delivery. The structure was designed to enable farmers to meet essential agricultural and household expenses without relying on informal credit.

Financial Outlay and Beneficiary Coverage

Official data show that cumulative disbursements under PM KISAN have crossed ₹3.9 lakh crore since its launch. In November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the scheme’s 21st instalment in Coimbatore, transferring more than ₹18,000 crore to over 9 crore farmers across India.

The previous 20th instalment released in August 2025 benefited 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.4 crore women according to government statements. These figures demonstrate the scale and nationwide reach of the scheme across multiple instalment cycles.

Objectives And Intended Impact On Farmers

The scheme was created with the goal of augmenting the income of small and marginal landholding farmers. Its design supports the procurement of agricultural inputs, crop maintenance and other cultivation‑related expenses that contribute to stable farm operations.

PM KISAN also aims to reduce dependence on non‑institutional and informal credit channels, which often carry higher interest burdens. By providing predictable assistance, the scheme seeks to smoothen seasonal income volatility faced by many farming households.

Digital Infrastructure and Ease‑Of‑Access Enhancements

Over the years, PM KISAN has incorporated a progressively expanded digital infrastructure to support enrolment and verification. The PM KISAN mobile application, launched on February 24, 2020, allows farmers to self‑register, track their beneficiary status and complete e‑KYC requirements.

In 2023, a face authentication feature was added to enable remote e‑KYC without the need for OTP or biometric fingerprint‑based verification. This upgrade was specifically aimed at improving access for farmers in remote or low‑connectivity regions where physical verification is difficult.

Read More: AI Platform to Give Farmers 24x7 Access to Key Services.

Conclusion

As PM KISAN completes 7 years, the scheme continues to serve as a major component of India’s direct benefit delivery architecture. Its cumulative disbursements and broad beneficiary base underline its significance within the agricultural support ecosystem.

Digital integrations introduced over recent years have further improved transparency and accessibility for rural households. The programme remains central to efforts aimed at enhancing financial stability for millions of farming families.

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