Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, eligible landowning farmers receive the financial assistance in their bank accounts
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The Cabinet on Friday approved extension of the NDA government’s flagship direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme ‘PM-KISAN’ for the next five years till 2030-31 with a total outlay of over ₹3.15 lakh crore. Though the extension is seen as a routine measure, it also indicates that the government may not raise the ₹6,000/year benefit transferred to over 9 crore farmers in three equal instalments.Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, launched in February 2019, eligible landowning farmers receive financial assistance in their bank accounts. Nearly ₹4.5 lakh crore has been disbursed under this scheme, so far.“The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the PM-KISAN scheme from 2026–27 to 2030–31,” said Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Information and Broadcasting. A total financial outlay of ₹3,15,614 crore through 23 instalments has been approved for the Scheme during this period, he added.Later, the Agriculture Ministry said the approval reiterates the government’s commitment that the prosperity of farmers forms the foundation of the nation’s prosperity. The extension of the scheme will enhance farmers’ capacity to invest in agriculture, improve productivity, help reduce agricultural risks and strengthen the rural economy.Under the 23rd instalment, the government had released ₹18,880 crore to more than 9.44 crore farmers, including to over 2.18 crore women, on June 23.“Women farmers have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore under PM-KISAN, and nearly one out of every four beneficiaries is a woman farmer,” the ministry said. It highlighted that the assistance provided under PM-KISAN has enabled farmers to make timely investments in seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, agricultural machinery and other agricultural requirements.“This has enhanced farmers’ productive capacity, reduced their dependence on informal credit and strengthened the financial stability of rural households,” it added.There have been consistent demands from many farmer organisations, including the RSS-backed Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, to increase the amount to ₹10,000 per year from the current ₹6,000. However, the government has been non-committal on the demand since it would further inflates it non-capital expenditure, putting a strain on the economy.Published on July 31, 2026
