PM-Kisan disburses ₹4.27 lakh crore in 22 installments

New Delhi: The PM-Kisan scheme disbursed over ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers in 22 installments since its launch in 2019, the Centre informed Lok Sabha on March 24.

The scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal installments through direct benefit transfer. It aims to support cultivable land-holding farmers and strengthen rural incomes.

During the 21st installment released on November 19, 2025, more than 9.35 crore farmers received financial assistance. Officials said the scheme improved access to funds and reduced dependence on informal credit.

Studies by institutions including IFPRI and NITI Aayog showed that the scheme boosted rural growth and increased investment in agricultural inputs. Over 92% of beneficiaries used the funds for seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.

Farmers also reported improved risk-taking capacity and higher agricultural income. In addition, surveys showed that more than 93% of beneficiaries used the funds for farming activities.

PM-Kisan scheme expands access through digital tools

The government introduced digital platforms to improve access and transparency. Farmers can check payment status and eligibility through the portal and Common Service Centres.

Authorities also launched the Kisan e-Mitra AI chatbot to handle queries. The system operates in 11 languages and has addressed over 95 lakh queries from more than 53 lakh farmers.

Officials said Aadhaar authentication remained mandatory for registration. Payments are transferred directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts to ensure efficiency.

The government conducted saturation drives to improve Aadhaar seeding and coverage. These efforts aimed to ensure timely payments and wider reach of the PM-Kisan scheme.