Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on March 13, transferring more than ₹18,640 crore directly to the bank accounts of over 9.32 crore farmer families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
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 to cross ₹4.27 lakh crore
According to the minister, since the launch of the scheme in February 2019, the government has transferred more than ₹4.09 lakh crore directly into the accounts of eligible farmers. With the release of the upcoming instalment, the total cumulative transfer will cross ₹4.27 lakh crore.
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, each eligible farmer family receives ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments, which are credited directly to their bank accounts.
Chouhan said the scheme represents a major step towards providing direct income support to small and marginal farmers and reflects the government’s commitment to honour the country’s “Annadatas”.
Women farmers among major beneficiaries
The Union Minister highlighted that more than 2.15 crore women farmers will receive financial assistance under the 22nd instalment.
He said the scheme has emerged as a robust support system for women farmers and marginal farming families, helping them meet agricultural expenses as well as essential household needs such as education and healthcare.
Boost to rural economy
According to the Agriculture Ministry, independent studies indicate that the PM-KISAN scheme has helped increase rural demand, reduce dependence on debt and encourage agricultural investment.
The scheme operates through India’s digital public infrastructure, ensuring transparency and eliminating the role of middlemen.
Easier e-KYC and status tracking for farmers
To make the process more convenient for beneficiaries, the government has introduced a “Know Your Status” (KYS) module on the PM-KISAN portal. Farmers can check details such as payment status, eligibility, Aadhaar linking, land seeding and e-KYC from a single platform.
The government has also launched a face-authentication-based mobile app, enabling farmers to complete e-KYC from home without requiring OTPs or biometric devices.
Additionally, the Agriculture Ministry’s AI-powered chatbot “Kisan-eMitra” provides round-the-clock assistance in 11 regional languages, helping farmers with queries related to the scheme.
Verification measures to ensure genuine beneficiaries
The government has also introduced a “Voluntary Surrender” facility for affluent farmers who wish to opt out of the scheme. At the same time, mechanisms have been put in place to restore benefits for farmers who surrendered them by mistake.
Authorities are also verifying records to remove ineligible or deceased beneficiaries, while states and Union Territories have been asked to speed up registration and e-KYC of eligible farmers to ensure wider coverage.
Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, farmers’ welfare remains central to policymaking, citing initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards and expansion of Kisan Credit Cards as part of broader efforts to strengthen India’s agricultural sector.
