The Centre has disbursed over ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme since its launch in February 2019, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.
Under the scheme, eligible cultivable landholding farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. So far, 22 instalments have been released.
During the 21st instalment disbursal on November 19, 2025, more than 9.35 crore farmers received financial assistance under the scheme, reflecting its wide outreach across the country.
According to multiple evaluation studies, the scheme has contributed to improving farmers’ income and supporting rural economic activity. A 2019 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) found that PM-KISAN payments helped ease credit constraints, encouraged investment in agricultural inputs, and improved farmers’ ability to take calculated risks in farming.
Feedback collected through Kisan Call Centres indicates that over 93 per cent of beneficiaries utilise the funds for agricultural purposes.
An impact assessment by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog found that over 92 per cent of beneficiary farmers used the assistance for essential inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. Around 85 per cent reported an increase in agricultural income, along with reduced dependence on informal credit during crop losses or emergencies.
The study also noted that the scheme supports broader development goals, including poverty reduction, food security, and improved transparency in welfare delivery.
To improve accessibility and transparency, the government has introduced several digital features under the scheme. A dedicated “Farmers Corner” on the PM-KISAN portal allows beneficiaries to check their status, eligibility, and instalment details. Farmers can also access these services through Common Service Centres.
In addition, a voice-based AI chatbot, Kisan e-Mitra, has been deployed to address queries of beneficiaries. Available in 11 languages, the chatbot provides round-the-clock assistance and has so far handled over 95 lakh queries from more than 53 lakh farmers.
The government has made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for registration under the scheme, with all payments routed through the Aadhaar-based payment system. Regular drives are conducted in coordination with states, Common Service Centres, and India Post Payments Bank to ensure Aadhaar seeding of bank accounts.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
