PM Kisan Scheme 18th Installment: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, launched in December 2018, is a significant initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing direct financial assistance to farmers across the country. This central sector scheme is fully funded by the government and offers income support to small and marginal farmers. With the goal of easing the financial burdens of agricultural households, the scheme provides an annual grant of INR 6,000, which is disbursed in three equal installments of INR 2,000 every four months. The funds are directly transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
PM Kisan 18th Installment Release date: October 05, 2024
PM Kisan Scheme 18th Installment
The PM-KISAN scheme is designed to support farmers by providing a steady source of income that helps them meet their agricultural needs and domestic expenses. This initiative targets all eligible landholding farmer families in India, with a special emphasis on ensuring that the benefits reach even the smallest landholders. The scheme excludes farmers who meet specific exclusion criteria outlined in the operational guidelines, such as those with higher incomes or significant landholdings.
The responsibility for identifying the beneficiaries lies with the state governments, and farmers are required to register through local revenue officers or Common Service Centres (CSCs). This decentralized approach ensures that the benefits reach the intended recipients without unnecessary delays.
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Government of India |
| Launch Date | December 1, 2018 |
| Objective | Financial support for small and marginal farmers |
| Annual Benefit | INR 6,000 per family, disbursed in three installments |
| Eligibility | All landholding farmer families (subject to exclusions) |
| Exclusion | Farmers meeting specific criteria, e.g., higher-income families |
| Application Process | Through local authorities or CSCs, or online registration |
Key Features of the PM-KISAN Scheme
The PM-KISAN scheme offers several notable features that aim to uplift small and marginal farmers across India:
- Direct Income Support: Farmers receive INR 6,000 annually in three installments to help them meet their financial needs, especially for agriculture-related activities and daily necessities.
- No Intermediaries: The government ensures that the benefits are directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, eliminating the involvement of middlemen and reducing the scope for corruption.
- Simple Registration Process: Farmers can register for the scheme through local government offices, authorized nodal officers, or even self-register via the PM-KISAN portal. CSCs are also available to assist farmers with registration.
- eKYC for Transparency: To ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the scheme, an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process is mandatory. Farmers can complete this process either through OTP-based verification on the PM-KISAN portal or through biometric verification at CSCs.
How to Apply for PM Kisan Scheme?
Farmers wishing to avail themselves of the benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme must follow a straightforward process:
- Approach the local agriculture officer, patwari, or revenue officer designated as the Nodal Officer for the scheme.
- Alternatively, they can visit Common Service Centres (CSCs) for assistance in registration, with a nominal fee charged.
- Farmers can also register themselves online through the PM-KISAN portal by providing essential details such as their Aadhaar number and bank account information.
Once registered, farmers can check the status of their application or payment through the Farmers Corner on the official website.
eKYC and its Importance for PM Kisan
To prevent fraud and ensure only eligible beneficiaries receive the financial aid, the eKYC process is a mandatory part of the PM-KISAN scheme. Farmers can complete eKYC in three ways:
- OTP-based eKYC: Available on the PM-KISAN portal and mobile app, farmers can verify their identity by entering an OTP sent to their registered mobile number.
- Biometric-based eKYC: This is done at Common Service Centres (CSCs), where farmers undergo fingerprint or iris authentication.
- Face authentication eKYC: Through the PM-KISAN mobile app, farmers can authenticate their identity using facial recognition technology.
By completing the eKYC process, farmers ensure that the funds are directly transferred into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring faster and more secure payments.
PM Kisan Payment Status and Installments
Since its launch, the PM-KISAN scheme has disbursed 17 installments to over 9.3 crore farmers. The 17th installment, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2024, saw around INR 20,000 crore disbursed to eligible beneficiaries. The next installment, the 18th, is expected to be released in October 2024, providing much-needed financial relief to farmers ahead of the festive season.
Farmers can check the status of their payments by visiting the PM-KISAN portal and entering their Aadhaar or bank account number.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has been a transformative initiative for India’s farming community, particularly for small and marginal farmers. By offering direct income support, the scheme alleviates financial pressures and helps farmers sustain their agricultural activities. With its simple registration process and transparent payment mechanism, the scheme stands as a model for welfare distribution, ensuring that no farmer is left behind.
