The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for another five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31, with a total financial outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore.
The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will extend the government's flagship income-support programme for eligible landholding farmer families. Under PM-KISAN, beneficiaries receive Rs 6,000 annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), paid in three equal instalments directly into their bank accounts.
The government said the continuation of the scheme reflects its commitment to strengthening farmers' incomes and supporting agricultural investment. The assistance is intended to help farmers meet expenditure on inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, irrigation and farm machinery, while also strengthening the financial position of rural households.
Rs 4.47 Lakh Crore Transferred So Far
Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN has so far transferred more than Rs 4.47 lakh crore directly into farmers' bank accounts through 23 instalments, according to the government.
Under the 23rd instalment, more than 9.49 crore farmers received benefits, involving disbursement of over Rs 18,984 crore. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than Rs 1.71 lakh crore was disbursed under the scheme to provide financial support to farmers.
Women have also emerged as a significant beneficiary group. The government said more than Rs 1.06 lakh crore has been transferred to women farmers under PM-KISAN, with nearly one in every four beneficiaries being a woman farmer.
The scheme relies on Aadhaar authentication, digital verification and the DBT mechanism to identify beneficiaries and transfer funds, with the government describing it as an example of technology-driven and transparent welfare delivery.
Evaluation Points to Higher Agricultural Investment
The government cited an evaluation by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog, according to which more than 92% of beneficiaries reported using the assistance for agricultural activities and investment.
Around 85% of beneficiaries said the scheme had contributed to an improvement in agricultural income and reduced their dependence on informal credit, the government said.
Focus on Rural Economy and Farmer Investment
The government said continued implementation of PM-KISAN is expected to improve farmers' capacity to make timely investments, enhance productivity and reduce agricultural risks. It also expects the scheme to contribute to strengthening the rural economy by improving household financial stability.
With the extension through 2030-31, PM-KISAN will remain a key component of the Centre's farmer-focused policy framework. The government said the scheme is aimed at strengthening the economic capacity of India's farmers and supporting the country's broader objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.