The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) Yojana is a government-sponsored farmer support scheme launched in 2019, providing financial assistance to crop owners and easing their struggles. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 from the Indian government annually in three equal instalments per year. The government aims to cover farming costs and other crop-related expenses, which has raised agricultural productivity and boosted farmers’ livelihoods.

Benefits

Apart from the annual financial support of Rs 6,000 that helps farmers buy seeds, fertilisers and equipment for their initial farming activities, the PM Kisan encourages modern agricultural practices.

With the financial aid provided, farmers can invest in modern tools and techniques. The assistance from the government also reduces debt, as farmers don’t necessarily have to borrow money from unorganised sectors anymore. Such loans often come at high interest rates, causing a serious headache on repayment.

Eligibility

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana targets small and marginal farmers, who have a holding of up to two acres of land. The following are the eligibility criteria to become a beneficiary of the scheme:

The applicant must be an Indian citizen.

The land the farmer owns must be cultivable as per the land records maintained by the government.

The scheme also allows landholding farmers’ families, who have cultivable land in their names, to apply and fetch the benefits.

Certain higher economic status categories are not eligible for the PM Kisan scheme, including institutional landholders and farmer families holding constitutional posts. Also not eligible are active, retired officers or employees of the state and central government, PSUs and other autonomous bodies. It further excludes professional doctors, engineers, and lawyers.

How To Apply For PM Kisan

While the offline process to apply for the PM Kisan scheme involves visiting the nearest Common Service Centres (CSCs), farmers can now enrol themselves with the scheme online as well. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to proceed.

Step 1: Visit the official website of PM Kisan (pmkisan.gov.in)

Step 2: Click on ‘New Farmer Registration’

Step 3: Provide your Aadhaar number, mobile number and bank account details.

Step 4: Upload all the required documents. The website will ask for the land ownership proof to identify you as an eligible farmer.

Step 5: Apply for verification

Upon verification, the farmer becomes eligible for financial assistance directly into their registered bank account.