PM-KISAN completes 19 successful installments

IN NEWS

PM-KISAN completes 19 successful installments

ANALYSIS

1. Context

• On 24 February 2025, the Prime Minister released the 19th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore women, received financial assistance exceeding ₹22,000 crore through DBT.
• This reinforces the government’s continued focus on farmer welfare, income support, and rural development.

2. Background and Previous Installment

• The 18th installment was released on 5 October 2024 from Washim, Maharashtra, benefiting over 9.4 crore farmers with ₹20,000+ crore.
• Since 2019, PM-KISAN has become one of India’s largest direct income support schemes for landholding farmers.

3. About PM-KISAN Scheme

1. Launch
   • Introduced in February 2019 as a central sector scheme.
2. Benefit Structure
   • Provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments to landholding farmers.
   • Amount transferred directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts via DBT.
3. Financial Outlay
   • ₹3.46 lakh crore disbursed across 18 installments (as of Feb 2025).
4. Objective
   • Supplement the financial needs of small and marginal farmers for:
     • Procuring inputs
     • Ensuring crop health
     • Achieving better yields
   • Protects farmers from high-interest informal credit and ensures continuity in farming activities.

4. Technological Advancements

a. PM-KISAN Mobile App

• Launched on 24 February 2020 to enhance accessibility and transparency.
• In 2023, an advanced Face Authentication Feature was added for remote e-KYC—no need for OTP/fingerprint.

b. Digital Services

• Self-registration, benefit tracking, facial-auth e-KYC.
• Farmers in remote areas can help 100 neighbouring farmers complete e-KYC.

c. Support Infrastructure

• 5 lakh+ CSCs facilitate registration and e-KYC.
• State government officials authorised to complete e-KYC for 500 farmers each.

5. PM-KISAN AI Chatbot

• Launched in 2023, the first AI chatbot integrated into a Union government flagship scheme.
• Provides instant responses about eligibility, payments, registration, and grievances.
• Supported by EKstep Foundation and Bhashini.
• Integrated with Digital India BHASHINI, enabling multilingual, voice-based assistance.
• Enhances transparency, grievance management, and digital literacy among farmers.

6. Support from India Post

• India Post Payment Bank assists farmers in linking/updating mobile numbers with Aadhaar, enabling seamless e-KYC.

7. Mandatory Enrollment Details

• Farmer/spouse name
• Farmer/spouse date of birth
• Bank account number
• IFSC/MICR
• Mobile number
• Aadhaar number
• Other passbook-linked information needed for mandate registration

8. Impact and Achievements

1. Financial Reach
   • Over ₹3.46 lakh crore disbursed since inception.
2. Increased Beneficiary Base
   • 1 crore new farmers added during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (Nov 2023).
   • 25 lakh additional farmers added in first 100 days of the 2024 government.
   • 9.59 crore beneficiaries received the 18th installment.
3. State-Level Distribution
   • For the 18th installment:
     • Uttar Pradesh: 2,25,78,654 beneficiaries
     • Bihar: 75,81,009 beneficiaries
4. Economic Impact (IFPRI Study, 2019)
   • Boosted rural economic growth
   • Reduced credit constraints
   • Increased agricultural input investments
   • Encouraged productive risk-taking
   • Supported non-farm household expenses (education, medical, marriage)

9. Significance

• PM-KISAN has evolved into a major income-support engine for farmers.
• Serves as a model for transparent, large-scale digital governance.
• Strengthens rural household resilience and agricultural capacity.

STATIC PORTION

1. Type of Scheme – Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
2. Launch Year – 2019.
3. Eligibility – Landholding farmer families with recorded ownership.
4. Benefit – ₹6,000 annually in 3 installments through DBT.
5. Related Digital Platforms – PM-KISAN Portal, PM-KISAN Mobile App, Bhashini, CSC network.
6. Implementing Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
7. Keywords for Prelims – DBT, e-KYC, Aadhaar seeding, Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Bhashini, EKstep.

Updated – 24 Feb 2025 ; 04:03 PM | PIB

 (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2105745)