The Central Government transferred approximately ₹18,690 crore to more than 9.34 crore farmers under the 24th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The payment was released through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system during an event held in Banaskantha, Gujarat. The scheme follows a digital verification and payment process to ensure that financial assistance reaches eligible farmers directly in their bank accounts.
The process includes several stages, starting with farmer registration and verification of land and banking details. Aadhaar authentication, state-level approval and checks through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) are also part of the payment mechanism.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the total amount distributed under PM-KISAN has crossed ₹4.64 lakh crore since the scheme was introduced.
How Does the PM-KISAN Payment Process Work?
The government follows a series of verification and approval procedures before transferring money to farmers. These steps are designed to confirm beneficiary details and reduce the chances of payments going to ineligible individuals.
The process generally involves the following stages:
- Farmer registration: Eligible farmers can apply through the PM-KISAN website, mobile application or Common Service Centres (CSCs). They need to provide personal information, landholding details and bank account information.
- Verification by state authorities: State governments and Union Territories examine the applications, identify eligible farmer families and upload verified beneficiary details to the PM-KISAN portal.
- Aadhaar and bank account checks: Beneficiary information is checked against Aadhaar and banking records to identify duplicate or incorrect entries. Land records must also be linked to the portal.
- PFMS verification: After state-level approval, beneficiary records are sent to the Public Financial Management System for bank account validation.
- Payment request preparation: Once the required details have been verified, payment requests and transfer orders are generated for eligible beneficiaries.
- Approval of funds: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issues the required sanction orders to authorise the disbursement.
- Banking network processing: The payment instructions are processed through sponsor banks and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- Direct transfer to beneficiaries: After the necessary checks and approvals, the assistance is credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the DBT mechanism.
How Much Financial Assistance Does PM-KISAN Provide?
Launched on February 24, 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a Central Sector Scheme that provides financial support to eligible landholding farmer families across the country.
Under the programme, each eligible family receives ₹6,000 annually. The amount is distributed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each.
The financial assistance is intended to help farmers manage agricultural expenses, including the cost of seeds, fertilisers, irrigation equipment and other farming requirements.
According to the ministry, the scheme supports agricultural productivity, reduces farmers’ reliance on informal sources of credit and helps improve the financial security of rural households.
To continue receiving payments, beneficiaries must meet the eligibility requirements and complete the necessary formalities. These include linking land records to the PM-KISAN portal, connecting their bank accounts with Aadhaar and completing e-KYC verification.
Who Verifies Beneficiaries and How Can Farmers Complete e-KYC?
State governments and Union Territories are responsible for identifying eligible farmer families and maintaining their beneficiary records.
The database includes information such as the farmer’s name, age, category, Aadhaar number, bank account details and mobile number. Authorities update and digitise these records to maintain accuracy and prevent duplicate benefits.
For greater transparency, beneficiary lists are also made available publicly at the village level. Farmers who believe their names have been incorrectly excluded can approach the designated grievance redressal authorities.
The government also takes recovery action when benefits are received by individuals who do not meet the eligibility conditions. These include income tax payers, government employees, personnel working in public sector undertakings (PSUs) and holders of constitutional posts.
According to the ministry, ₹416.75 crore had been recovered from ineligible beneficiaries across the country as of December 2025.
PM-KISAN e-KYC: Three Available Methods
Aadhaar-based authentication is an important requirement for confirming beneficiary identities. Farmers can complete their e-KYC through any of the following methods:
- OTP-based verification: Authentication using a one-time password.
- Biometric verification: Identity confirmation through biometric facilities.
- Face authentication: Verification by scanning the beneficiary’s face using the mobile application.
The face authentication facility was added to the PM-KISAN mobile application in 2023. It enables farmers to complete the verification process without using an OTP or fingerprint scan.
PM-KISAN Portal, Mobile App and Kisan-eMitra Chatbot
The PM-KISAN online portal acts as the main digital platform for beneficiary registration, verification and information management. It maintains a unified national database and connects with PFMS to support the transfer of financial assistance.
Farmers can also use the PM-KISAN mobile application, which was launched in 2020. The app provides facilities for self-registration, checking payment status and completing e-KYC.
In September 2023, the government introduced Kisan-eMitra, an artificial intelligence-based chatbot connected to the PM-KISAN digital system. It was developed with technical support from the EkStep Foundation and BHASHINI to help farmers access information about registration, eligibility and payments.
The chatbot provides assistance around the clock in 11 languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, Odia, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telugu, Marathi and Kannada.
Farmers can use voice or text-based queries to check application details, follow payment updates and get answers to questions related to the scheme.
PM-KISAN Budget Allocation and Future Funding
In July 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the PM-KISAN scheme from the financial year 2026-27 through 2030-31. The programme has been allocated a total financial outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore for this period.
Separately, the Union Budget 2026-27 provided ₹60,000 crore for the scheme.
The ministry says PM-KISAN is intended to strengthen farmers’ income security by providing direct financial assistance for agricultural inputs and supporting farming activities. Its digital payment system and beneficiary verification procedures are designed to improve transparency and accountability in the distribution of government assistance.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and is based on details provided by the government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Scheme eligibility, verification requirements, payment status and recovery procedures may be subject to official changes. Farmers should refer to the official PM-KISAN portal or contact the relevant government authorities for the latest information about their benefits.