Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑KISAN): Complete 2026 Guide for Farmers – Eligibility, Benefits, How to Apply and Check Status

A clear, practical overview of India’s flagship PM‑KISAN income support scheme: who is eligible, what benefits you get, how to register online, complete eKYC, check payment status, and whom to contact for help.

What is PM‑KISAN?

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑KISAN) is a central sector scheme launched to provide minimum income support to farmer families. Under PM‑KISAN, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, paid directly to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).【turn4fetch0】【turn15fetch0】 The scheme is fully funded by the Government of India and is administered by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.【turn4fetch0】

Since its launch, PM‑KISAN has grown into one of the world’s largest direct income-support schemes. For example, the 22nd installment (released on 13 March 2026) alone transferred over ₹18,640 crore to more than 9.32 crore farmers.【turn15fetch0】 Overall, by the 20th installment, more than ₹3.90 lakh crore had been transferred to farmers across the country.【turn13fetch0】

Who is eligible? PM‑KISAN eligibility criteria

In simple terms, PM‑KISAN is for landholding farmer families (with cultivable land). More specifically, the scheme defines a “family” as the husband, wife and minor children, and uses State/UT land records to verify ownership.【turn9fetch0】【turn9fetch1】

Basic eligibility

• The applicant must belong to a landholding farmer family with cultivable land recorded in their name in State/UT land records.【turn9fetch0】【turn9fetch1】
• Both rural and urban farmers with cultivable land are eligible.【turn9fetch1】
• Income support is provided at the family level (not per individual).【turn9fetch0】【turn9fetch1】

Land area limit (2 hectares)

PM‑KISAN was originally designed for small and marginal farmers (families owning up to 2 hectares of cultivable land). In practice, many families with larger holdings have also been covered over time, but the core design and much of the guidance continue to emphasise the 2‑hectare threshold. Official program descriptions explicitly state that small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares are the target, and that families owning more than 2 hectares are not eligible under the scheme’s rules.【turn6fetch0】【turn8fetch0】

Who is NOT eligible? PM‑KISAN exclusions

Even if a family owns agricultural land, certain categories are excluded from receiving PM‑KISAN benefits. Broadly, these include higher‑income groups, senior government roles and institutional landholders.【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】

Key exclusion categories

• Institutional landholders – e.g., land owned by trusts, companies, or other institutions (not individual farmer families).【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】
• Former or present holders of constitutional posts – such as the President, Vice‑President, Governors, etc.【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】
• Former and present Ministers/MLAs/MPs/Mayors/District Panchayat Chairpersons at central or state level.【turn13fetch0】
• Central and State Government employees (serving or retired) – including those in Ministries, Departments, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies and local bodies. Exception: Multi‑Tasking Staff (MTS)/Class IV/Group D employees (and their equivalent pensioners) remain eligible.【turn13fetch0】
• Pensioners receiving ₹10,000 or more per month (with the same MTS/Class IV/Group D exception).【turn13fetch0】
• Income‑tax payers – anyone who paid income tax in the last assessment year is excluded.【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】
• Professionals in private practice – doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants and architects registered with professional bodies and actively practising.【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】

Important cut‑off: For many eligibility determinations, the scheme uses a land‑records cut‑off date (e.g., 1 February 2019). Ownership recorded after this may not automatically qualify, and States/UTs follow the operational guidelines for verification.【turn9fetch0】【turn13fetch0】

PM‑KISAN benefits: amount, installments and timing

• Annual amount: ₹6,000 per eligible farmer family.【turn4fetch0】【turn9fetch0】
• Installments: Paid in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each.【turn4fetch0】【turn15fetch0】
• Frequency: Typically every four months. Common windows are April–July, August–November and December–March, though exact dates can vary each year.【turn9fetch0】【turn15fetch0】
• Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar‑seeded bank accounts.【turn4fetch0】【turn15fetch0】

The latest data show how widely PM‑KISAN has reached: the 22nd installment alone covered over 9.32 crore farmers.【turn15fetch0】 Since inception, cumulative transfers have crossed ₹3.90 lakh crore by the 20th installment, reflecting the scheme’s scale and importance.【turn13fetch0】

Documents required for PM‑KISAN

To register successfully and receive payments, keep the following information/documents handy:

• Aadhaar number (mandatory) – must be authenticated and, as far as possible, linked to the bank account for DBT. In certain States/UTs where coverage is still limited, alternate identity documents may be accepted as per the rules.【turn9fetch1】【turn12fetch0】
• Bank account details – account number and IFSC. Payments are credited directly to this account.【turn12fetch0】【turn13fetch0】
• Landholding documents – ownership details and land records as maintained by your State/UT government.【turn9fetch1】【turn12fetch0】
• Personal and family information – name, address, and details such as father’s/mother’s or spouse’s name, as required in the form.【turn12fetch0】

How to apply for PM‑KISAN: registration (online & offline)

There are three main ways to register for PM‑KISAN:

1. Self‑registration on the PM‑KISAN portal
   • Go to the official website: https://pmkisan.gov.in.【turn4fetch0】【turn12fetch0】
   • Under the “Farmers Corner” section, click New Farmer Registration.【turn9fetch1】【turn12fetch0】
   • Enter your Aadhaar number, mobile number, State and captcha. The portal checks whether the Aadhaar is already registered.【turn12fetch0】
   • Fill in personal details, bank account, IFSC and land information. Certify that the information is correct.【turn12fetch0】
   • Submit the form. Your application goes to the concerned State/UT authority for verification. Once approved, you become a beneficiary and future installments are processed accordingly.【turn12fetch0】
2. Registration through Common Service Centres (CSCs)
   • Visit a nearby CSC. Village‑level entrepreneurs (VLEs) can help you fill and submit the PM‑KISAN registration form for a nominal fee.【turn9fetch1】【turn13fetch0】
   • CSCs can also assist with eKYC, corrections, and other services on the portal.【turn13fetch0】
3. PM‑KISAN mobile app
   • Download the official PM‑KISAN app (Android). You can use it to self‑register, track payment status and complete eKYC.【turn13fetch0】
   • The app also supports a Face Authentication feature for eKYC, useful in remote areas where OTP/fingerprint options are difficult.【turn13fetch0】

PM‑KISAN eKYC: why it matters and how to do it

eKYC is now mandatory to continue receiving PM‑KISAN installments. Farmers who haven’t completed eKYC risk missing payments, as seen in recent installments where stricter verification and incomplete eKYC led to some names being excluded.【turn15fetch0】

How to complete eKYC online (OTP‑based):【turn8fetch0】

1. Visit https://pmkisan.gov.in.
2. Click the eKYC link on the homepage.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha code, then click Search.
4. Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar and click Get OTP.
5. Enter the OTP to complete eKYC.

If you cannot do OTP‑based eKYC online, you can visit a CSC for biometric eKYC or use the PM‑KISAN mobile app’s Face Authentication feature where available.【turn15fetch0】【turn13fetch0】

How to check PM‑KISAN payment status and beneficiary list

You can check your payment history and whether your name is included in the beneficiary list directly from the PM‑KISAN portal.

Check your beneficiary status (individual payments)

1. Open https://pmkisan.gov.in.【turn8fetch0】
2. Go to “Farmers Corner” and click “Beneficiary Status”.【turn8fetch0】
3. Enter your Aadhaar number, bank account number or registered mobile number, along with the captcha.【turn8fetch0】
4. Click “Get Data”. You’ll see details of the last installment transferred, the credited bank account and payment status.【turn8fetch0】

Check the PM‑KISAN beneficiary list for your village

1. On the PM‑KISAN portal, under “Farmers Corner”, click “Beneficiary List”.【turn8fetch0】【turn15fetch0】
2. Select State → District → Sub‑District → Block → Village.【turn8fetch0】【turn15fetch0】
3. Click “Get Report” to view the list of beneficiaries in that village. If your name appears, you are eligible to receive the installment.【turn8fetch0】【turn15fetch0】

PM‑KISAN helpline and support

If you face issues with registration, payments or eKYC, you can reach out for help:

• Toll‑free helpline: 155261 or 1800115526.【turn8fetch0】
• Landline numbers: 011‑24300606, 011‑23381092, 011‑23382401.【turn8fetch0】
• Online tools: The PM‑KISAN portal and app also provide grievance redressal and a chatbot (Kisan‑eMitra) that can answer common queries in local languages.【turn13fetch0】

Quick summary: PM‑KISAN at a glance

FAQs on PM‑KISAN

Is PM‑KISAN available all over India?

Yes, PM‑KISAN is a central scheme implemented across all States and Union Territories. Eligibility is determined based on State/UT land records and scheme guidelines.【turn4fetch0】【turn9fetch0】

Can a farmer with more than 2 hectares get PM‑KISAN?

Under the scheme’s design, small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares are eligible. Families owning more than 2 hectares are not eligible as per the rules communicated in official and mainstream guidance.【turn6fetch0】【turn8fetch0】

What happens if my Aadhaar is not linked to my bank account?

Payments are made via DBT, and Aadhaar authentication or an Aadhaar‑seeded bank account is essential. If your Aadhaar is not linked or authenticated, payments may be delayed or not processed. Complete eKYC and ensure your bank account is correctly linked.【turn13fetch0】【turn15fetch0】

Why is my name not in the beneficiary list even after registration?

Possible reasons include pending verification at the State/UT level, failed eKYC, incorrect bank details, or your case falling under an exclusion category. You can check your registration status and contact the PM‑KISAN helpline or your State/UT nodal officer for clarification.【turn12fetch0】【turn15fetch0】

How can I correct mistakes in my PM‑KISAN details?

The portal provides options to edit certain details (such as name as per Aadhaar, bank account and IFSC). You can update these online through the portal or visit a CSC for assistance. For errors in land records, you may need to coordinate with the revenue or land‑records department in your State/UT.【turn12fetch0】【turn13fetch0】

Is PM‑KISAN benefit taxed?

PM‑KISAN provides income support to farmers. Tax treatment can depend on your overall income. However, the scheme’s exclusion criteria specifically remove families/individuals who have paid income tax in the last assessment year, indicating that the intent is to support non‑tax‑paying farmer households. For individual tax queries, consult a qualified tax advisor.

Where can I find the latest updates on PM‑KISAN installments?

The official PM‑KISAN portal posts news and updates about upcoming installments. Reputable news outlets and government Press Information Bureau releases also announce key dates and numbers, such as the 22nd installment release on 13 March 2026.【turn4fetch0】【turn15fetch0】