Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi on March 13, 2026, providing major financial support to millions of farmers across India. The instalment will be disbursed from Guwahati, where the Prime Minister will transfer funds directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan shared that more than ₹18,640 crore will be deposited into the accounts of over 9.32 crore farmer families nationwide under this instalment. The payment is part of the government’s ongoing effort to provide direct income support to farmers, especially small and marginal cultivators.
According to the minister, the PM-KISAN scheme has become one of the largest farmer welfare initiatives in the country. Since its launch in February 2019, more than ₹4.09 lakh crore has already been transferred to eligible farmers. With the release of the 22nd instalment, the cumulative financial assistance provided under the programme will exceed ₹4.27 lakh crore.
The scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families, which is paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. The amount is transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts through DBT, ensuring transparency and eliminating the involvement of middlemen.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the assistance helps farmers meet key agricultural expenses such as purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. At the same time, the funds also support rural households in managing everyday needs including education and healthcare.
The minister highlighted that the PM-KISAN scheme has also played an important role in strengthening the economic participation of women in agriculture. In the upcoming instalment alone, more than 2.15 crore women farmers are expected to receive financial assistance. This, he said, will contribute to improving rural livelihoods and enhancing women’s financial empowerment in villages.
Officials noted that the scheme has also had a positive impact on the rural economy. Independent assessments indicate that the direct financial support has increased rural consumption, reduced farmers’ reliance on informal borrowing, and encouraged greater investment in agricultural activities.
To improve accessibility and transparency, the government has introduced several digital tools for farmers under the PM-KISAN platform. Through the “Know Your Status” module on the portal, beneficiaries can check their payment details, eligibility status, Aadhaar linking, land records, and e-KYC information in one place.
The government has also launched a face-authentication-based mobile application that allows farmers to complete their e-KYC process from home without the need for OTPs or biometric devices. In addition, the AI-powered voice chatbot “Kisan-eMitra” provides round-the-clock assistance in multiple regional languages and helps farmers resolve queries related to the scheme.
The Union Minister emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that the benefits reach only genuine and eligible farmers. A voluntary surrender option has been introduced for individuals who may not qualify for the scheme but were receiving benefits earlier. At the same time, mechanisms are in place to restore benefits for eligible farmers who may have surrendered their accounts by mistake.
He added that verification systems are regularly used to remove ineligible or deceased beneficiaries from the list, while states and Union Territories are being encouraged to accelerate farmer registrations and e-KYC completion.
Reiterating the government’s focus on agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that farmer welfare remains central to policy decisions. Along with PM-KISAN, initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Cards, expansion of Kisan Credit Cards, and regular increases in Minimum Support Prices are aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
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