Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme
Agriculture in India is not just an economic activity—it’s a livelihood for over 50% of the population. But most Indian farmers are small and marginal, struggling with rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, and domestic needs. They face uncertainty in income due to unpredictable monsoons, crop failures, and price fluctuations.
To offer them direct income support, the Government of India launched the PM-KISAN scheme in 2019, as a welfare initiative to ensure a basic assured income to all landholding farmer families.
Quick Facts Recap
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by GoI) |
| Purpose | To supplement the financial needs of farmers for input costs and basic domestic needs |
| Target Beneficiaries | All landholding farmer families across the country |
| Benefits | ₹6,000 per year, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every 4 months |
| Objective | To offer income support to all land-holding farmer families (includes husband, wife, and minor children) |
Key Features Explained
1. Identification of Beneficiaries
- This responsibility lies with the State and Union Territory governments, based on landholding records.
- Farmers can also self-register via:
- Mobile app
- PM-KISAN portal
- Common Service Centers (CSCs) in villages
2. Land Records – the Core Document
- Farmers must possess valid land ownership records.
- Relaxations exist for areas with poor land records infrastructure:
- Forest dwellers
- North-Eastern States
- Jharkhand
This helps include tribal and marginal communities who may not have formal pattas.
3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Integration
- PM-KISAN beneficiaries are also linked to KCC, giving them access to short-term loans at:
- 4% interest rate, provided they repay on time
4. Safeguards Against Misuse
- Multiple checks are in place:
- Aadhaar authentication
- Income Tax database cross-verification
- Annual physical verification of at least 5% of beneficiaries
- Ensures funds go only to genuine small/marginal farmers
5. Administrative Oversight
- A central Project Management Unit (PMU) monitors the scheme
- States may also set up state-level PMUs to ensure smooth functioning
6. Grievance Redressal Mechanism
- Grievance Redressal Committees at the local level are required to:
- Resolve complaints within two weeks
- Handle exclusion or inclusion disputes
🚫 Exclusion Categories – Who is NOT eligible?
Even if someone owns agricultural land, they are excluded if any family member falls under the following categories:
| Category | Description |
| Constitutional Post Holders | Former or present |
| Elected Representatives | Ministers, MPs, MLAs, or local body members |
| Professionals | Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, etc. |
| Government or PSU Employees | Including retired |
| Pensioners | With monthly pension ≥ ₹10,000 |
| Income Tax Payers | Those who paid IT in the last assessment year |
| Institutional Landholders | Land owned by institutions or trusts, not individuals |
The idea is to target the neediest and avoid duplication of benefits.
✅ In Summary
The PM-KISAN scheme is a direct income transfer program aimed at empowering the small and marginal farmers by providing minimum assured income support. Its strength lies in:
- Universal landholder coverage
- Ease of access via technology
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model
- Integration with financial tools like KCC
🧠 UPSC Mains Pointer
In GS-3 answers, you can mention PM-KISAN as a:
- Tool of inclusive agricultural policy
- Model of DBT success
- Effort to reduce rural distress
- Example of conditional universalism (landholding is required, but within that, wide coverage)