Overview of PM-KISAN Scheme: Benefits for Farmers in 2025

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme by the Government of India is a game-changer for small and marginal farmers. Launched in February 2019, the scheme provides income support to farmers to help them meet agricultural and household expenses. In 2025, the scheme continues to have a major impact on the rural economy of India. In this article we will look at the pm kisan scheme details, benefits to farmers and how to apply for the scheme so that farmers can take full advantage of this financial aid.

What is the PM-KISAN Scheme?

PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme implemented to give financial help to all landholding farm families in India. Eligible farmers get ₹6,000 per year through three installments of ₹2,000 every four months. The money is directly transferred to farmers‘ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on a transparent basis, directly into their bank accounts. PM-KISAN is designed to target marginal and small farmers. The scheme would provide farmers with money to buy seeds, fertilizers and modern farm equipment to pivot productivity.

The purpose of the scheme is simply to alleviate financial stress and enhance sustainable agricultural practices. While it provides income support consistently to farmers, which helps to ensure they are not entirely dependent on moneylenders, it also allows producers to concentrate on increasing agricultural productivity. As of July 2025, more than 11 crore farmers have benefitted from the scheme, with over ₹3.24 lakh crores of funding disbursed from the inception of the scheme to date.

Key Benefits of the PM-KISAN Scheme in 2025

1.Financial Support for Agricultural Needs

The pm kisan scheme pays ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers, alleviating part of the cost of inputs that include seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and modern inputs like rice planters or combine harvesters. This financial assistance allows farmers to have inputs as they would like, with the expectation that they will achieve improved crop yields and better farmer incomes. Farmers who are small and marginal will find this assistance particularly helpful in meeting seasonal expenses.

2.Economic Stability and Reduced Debt

The pm kisan scheme grants ₹6,000 per year to qualifying farmers, helping to offset some of the cost of input which could include seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and modern inputs like rice planters or combine harvesters. The pm kisan scheme’s support allows farmers to access inputs as they need, with the aim that they will achieve better crop yields and farmer income. Small and marginal farmers will be especially supported in meeting their seasonal expenses.

3. Support for Women Farmers

The PM-KISAN program is inclusive, and when the 19th instalment was released in February 2025, over 2.4 crore women farmers benefited. Their gender focus proves that women receive direct financial aid, increasing their empowerment in the agricultural community and ensuring they can contribute to their own agricultural community.

4.Encouraging Sustainable Farming

The scheme incentivises farmers to migrate to sustainable practices by providing finance for them to invest in eco-friendly tools and techniques. For example, farmers will be able to purchase solar-powered equipment from the funds under the PM Kusum Yojana, thereby reducing the cost of electricity while promoting green farming.

Nationwide Saturation Drive

In 2025, the government conducted a saturation drive (May 1 to May 31, 2025) to cover all eligible farmers under the scheme. This drive is to onboard new beneficiaries and verify existing beneficiaries to make sure no farmer is left out. Beneficiaries will be asked to complete e-KYC, link their Aadhaar with their bank accounts, and verify land records in order to receive the 20th instalment, which is anticipated in June 2025.

Eligibility Criteria for PM-KISAN Scheme

To avail the benefits of the pm kisan scheme, there are certain conditions the farmers must meet:

Residence: Only permanent residents of India qualify.
Land Ownership: Only those people who own agricultural land in their name can participate.
Farmer Category: Preference is for small and marginal farmers.
Exclusions: Any farmer who receives a pension greater than ₹10,000/month, institutional landowners, or anyone who filed income tax in the preceding assessment year, is ineligible.

Farmers must also complete the mandatory actions like e-KYC, linking Aadhaar to bank accounts and verify the land records for payments to be released. Failure to complete these processes may delay the installment payment or miss altogether.

How to Apply for the PM-KISAN Scheme in 2025

Applying for the PM kisan scheme is straightforward, with both online and offline options available. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply pm kisan scheme:

Online Registration

Go to the official PM-KISAN portal www.pmkisan.gov.in
Locate the “Farmers Corner“ tab and select “New Farmer Registration.“
Determine if you fit under Rural Farmer Registration or Urban Farmer Registration.
Fill in your Aadhaar number, mobile number and other requested information.
Fill in and complete the captcha code and select “Get OTP.“
Validate the OTP and fill in the registration format with land and bank details.
Complete the application and make a note of the registration number for safe keeping.

Offline Registration

Farmers can also register via:

Common Service Centres (CSCs): Visit a CSC near you, pay a nominal fee of ₹30, and submit required documents
Local Authorities: Approach the nodal officer, patwari or revenue officer that state governments appointed .

Checking Application Status

To monitor the status of your application or installment:

Go to the PM-KISAN portal and click on “Know Your Status” in Farmers Corner.
Provide your registration number and captcha code.
Confirm with the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Your payment status will be shown on the screen.

Completing e-KYC

The e-KYC is compulsory for all beneficiaries:

Go to the PM-KISAN portal and select “eKYC” under the Farmer Corner.
Enter your Aadhaar number and click on search.
Verify your number with the OTP sent to your Aadhaar linked mobile number.
Complete the process. Alternatively, you can complete the eKYC process by going to a CSC and providing your biometrics.

Key Updates for 2025 Kisan e-Mitra Chatbot

On June 9, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture launched Kisan e-Mitra AI Chatbot in 10 regional languages to aid farmers with queries relating to schemes. The chatbot accepts text or voice inputs and provides solutions and responses to queries in real-time, e.g., a farmer can inquire regarding getting registered, e-KYC of his/her documents & payment status. This digital solution improves accessibility to offline options for farmers throughout India.

Fraud Alerts

Farmers must be careful of scammers using false links, fake messages, or impersonating the program outreach through calls to steal or scam beneficiaries. Whenever in doubt, farmers should know to use the official PM-KISAN link or a helpline (155261 or 011-24300606) to seek support directly.

Challenges and Recommendations

Despite the strong success of PM-KISAN, there are various challenges that should be recognized. The number of beneficiaries dropped significantly in 2022 due to limited knowledge and incomplete verification. Farmers must ensure that they are up-to-date on the scheme, have completed e-KYC, and verified their land records to avoid being unable to receive the payment. This will ensure timely transfer of payment into farmer’s accounts. Holding awareness camps, as well as mobile outreach events can spur enrolments.

Conclusion

With at least 19 installments of the PM-KISAN scheme already distributed to agricultural farmers, the PM-KISAN scheme is an essential program for India‘s agricultural welfare initiatives as it provides crucial financial support to small and marginal farmers. This flagship scheme continues to support farmers with direct cash income and promote sustainable growth and choice for farmers . Keep informed, complete your e-KYC registration and take advantage of this scheme to continue your agriculture adventure.