PM Modi releases 23rd PM-Kisan instalment from West Bengal, ₹18,880 crore to 9.44 crore farmers
Synopsis
With a single event in Tarakeswar, Modi transferred ₹18,880 crore to 9.44 crore farmers in one go — while simultaneously launching four new agriculture schemes. The choice of West Bengal on the state's own foundation day is as much a political signal as it is a policy moment.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi released the 23rd PM-Kisan instalment on 20 June from Tarakeswar, West Bengal .
Over ₹18,880 crore disbursed via DBT to more than 9.44 crore farmer families nationwide.
Gujarat alone sees 51.28 lakh farmers receive a combined ₹1,025 crore .
Cumulative PM-Kisan transfers since launch now exceed ₹4.28 lakh crore to over 11 crore farmers .
Four new agriculture schemes launched alongside, including Agri Stack and National Mission on Natural Farming .
Modi's two-day West Bengal visit continues on 21 June with an International Yoga Day programme in Kolkata .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 20 June released the 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, West Bengal, channelling over ₹18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 9.44 crore farmer families nationwide through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The event coincided with West Bengal Day, lending added significance to Modi's choice of venue for the disbursement.
Scale of the 23rd Instalment
The nationwide transfer of over ₹18,880 crore marks one of the scheme's largest single-round disbursements to date. In Gujarat alone, more than 51.28 lakh farmers are set to receive a combined ₹1,025 crore, credited directly to their accounts. The Prime Minister also interacted virtually with farmers across the country during the Tarakeswar event, addressing beneficiaries in real time.
Cumulative PM-Kisan Impact Since Launch
Since the scheme's inception, 22 instalments had already been disbursed before Saturday's release. Official figures show that cumulative assistance has now crossed ₹4.28 lakh crore, reaching more than 11 crore farmers across India. The programme is broadcast live at Agricultural Science Centres, market yards, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras, and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, with district-, taluka-, and village-level viewing events also arranged.
Gujarat's State-Level Celebrations
In Gujarat, the instalment release was marked by a state-level 'PM Kisan Utsav Diwas' at the Town Hall in Gandhinagar, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani and Minister of State Ramesh Katara were present at the event, reflecting the coordinated state-Centre rollout of the scheme.
Additional Schemes Launched Alongside PM-Kisan
Beyond the instalment release, Prime Minister Modi also launched several major Central Government agriculture initiatives from West Bengal, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Agri Stack under the Digital Agriculture Mission, the National Mission on Natural Farming, and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana. Modi noted these would directly benefit farmers in West Bengal.
Modi's West Bengal Visit and What Comes Next
Saturday's event is the first leg of a two-day visit to West Bengal. Ahead of the trip, Modi made social media posts in Bengali on Friday, detailing his itinerary. On 21 June, he is scheduled to attend a programme in Kolkata to mark International Yoga Day. The visit carries political weight, as West Bengal remains a key battleground state where the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are in sustained competition for influence.
Point of View
The scheme's impact on actual agricultural income — not just liquidity — deserves closer scrutiny than the rollout ceremonies typically invite.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 23rd PM-Kisan instalment and how much is being transferred?
The 23rd instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme was released on 20 June by Prime Minister Modi from Tarakeswar, West Bengal. Over ₹18,880 crore is being transferred directly to more than 9.44 crore farmer families across India via Direct Benefit Transfer.
How many farmers have benefited from PM-Kisan since it was launched?
Since the scheme's launch, more than 11 crore farmers have received cumulative assistance exceeding ₹4.28 lakh crore across 22 earlier instalments, with the 23rd instalment adding to that total.
Why did PM Modi choose West Bengal for the PM-Kisan release?
Modi released the instalment from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, West Bengal, as part of a two-day state visit. The event coincided with West Bengal Day on 20 June, and Modi made social media posts in Bengali ahead of the visit highlighting the significance of the date.
Which other agriculture schemes were launched alongside the PM-Kisan instalment?
Prime Minister Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Agri Stack under the Digital Agriculture Mission, the National Mission on Natural Farming, and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana alongside the instalment release.
How many Gujarat farmers will benefit from the 23rd PM-Kisan instalment?
More than 51.28 lakh farmers in Gujarat are set to receive a combined ₹1,025 crore under the 23rd instalment, credited directly into their bank accounts via DBT.
