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Introduction to the Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme is a central sector scheme of the Government of India, under which eligible farmer families are provided financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year. This assistance amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the DBT system in three equal installments. Each installment is Rs 2,000, and the objective is to provide financial support for agriculture related routine and seasonal requirements.
Objective and Practical Significance of the Scheme
The objective of this scheme is to provide cash assistance to small and marginal farmers so that they can meet expenses related to seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and agricultural operations on time. This assistance is not limited to a single crop or season, but is designed keeping the entire annual agricultural cycle in mind.
Payment Arrangement and Important Bank Related Aspects
Under the scheme, payment is made only to the bank account that is linked with Aadhaar and verified in the scheme records. If the bank account is inactive, Aadhaar is not linked, or there is a mismatch in the name, the installment may get stuck. In such cases, the farmer needs to visit the bank and get Aadhaar seeding and KYC updated.
Mandatory e-KYC and Ways to Complete It
e-KYC has been made mandatory under the scheme. If e-KYC is not completed, no installment is released. e-KYC can be completed in two ways. The first is OTP based e-KYC, which is done on the pmkisan.gov.in portal using Aadhaar number and mobile OTP. The second is biometric e-KYC, which is done at the nearest Common Service Center (CSC) through fingerprint authentication. For farmers whose mobile number is not linked with Aadhaar, the CSC method is more useful.
Importance of Farmer ID and Land Records
In many states, Farmer ID is now being linked with the scheme. With the creation of Farmer ID, a farmer’s land record, personal details, and bank information get integrated. If there is any error in land details, such as mismatch in account number or survey number, the installment may be stopped. In such a situation, the farmer needs to get the land records corrected at the concerned revenue office or authorized state portal.
Installment Cycle and Common Misunderstandings
Under the scheme, installments are released according to a fixed cycle. Generally, the first installment is released between April and July, the second between August and November, and the third between December and March. Sometimes, due to technical verification or data matching at the state level, the installment may be delayed, which should not be considered as discontinuation of the scheme.
Useful Methods to Check Beneficiary Status and Payment Details
Farmers can check their beneficiary status and payment details by visiting the pmkisan.gov.in portal and using the Beneficiary Status option. Aadhaar number, mobile number, or registration number can be used for this purpose. The portal also displays the specific reason if an installment is on hold, such as incomplete e-KYC, Aadhaar bank linkage issues, or pending land verification.
New Registration and Correction of Details
Farmers who want to join the scheme for the first time can apply through the New Farmer Registration option on the pmkisan.gov.in portal. Facilities for correction of name, bank account, mobile number, and other details are also available on the same portal. Farmers who face difficulty in the online process can take assistance from CSC centers.
Common Conditions Leading to Ineligibility
Income tax paying farmers, constitutional post holders, current or former Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, government employees, and certain other categories are not considered eligible under this scheme. This provision has been implemented to ensure that the benefit reaches only genuinely needy farmer families.
Scale of the Scheme and Its Usefulness for Farmers
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme is one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer schemes in the country. Crores of farmer families are regularly associated with it, and the scheme plays an important role in maintaining cash flow in the rural economy.
Reasons for High Popularity in Online Searches
This scheme consistently remains among the most searched government schemes because before every installment, farmers search for information related to e-KYC, status check, installment dates, and payment updates. For this reason, the scheme is considered one of the most useful and high priority topics for information and government scheme websites.
