The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 31 July 2025 approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme for a fresh five-year cycle spanning 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹3.15 lakh crore. The decision ensures uninterrupted income support to eligible farmer families across India through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

What the Scheme Provides

Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN offers eligible landholding farmer families a fixed financial assistance of ₹6,000 per year, disbursed in three equal instalments directly into their bank accounts via Aadhaar-based authentication and digital verification. The scheme is designed to reduce farmers' dependence on informal credit and enable timely investment in agricultural inputs.

To date, more than ₹4.47 lakh crore has been transferred across 23 instalments. Under the 23rd instalment alone, over 9.49 crore farmers received a combined disbursement of more than ₹18,984 crore, according to an official government statement.

Key Beneficiary Milestones

During the Covid-19 pandemic, PM-KISAN disbursed more than ₹1.71 lakh crore to support farm households under financial stress. Women farmers have received more than ₹1.06 lakh crore under the scheme, and nearly one in every four beneficiaries is a woman farmer — a figure the government has highlighted as evidence of the programme's inclusive reach.

Farmers have used the assistance primarily for seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, and agricultural machinery, according to the official statement. This has, in turn, strengthened the financial stability of rural households and reduced reliance on moneylenders.

Independent Assessment of Impact

The scheme's outcomes have been evaluated by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog. According to that assessment, more than 92 per cent of beneficiaries reported utilising the funds for agricultural activities and investment. Approximately 85 per cent confirmed an improvement in agricultural income alongside a reduction in dependence on informal credit.

Notably, during 2020–21 to 2025–26, the area under cultivation rose by approximately 9.65 per cent, productivity improved by about 10.53 per cent, and total foodgrain production grew by approximately 21.18 per cent, according to official data. The government attributes part of this growth to the sustained support provided under PM-KISAN, though independent analysts caution that multiple factors — including monsoon patterns and input subsidies — also drive agricultural output.

What the Extension Means

The five-year renewal signals the Centre's intent to keep direct income support at the core of its agrarian policy through the end of the decade. Officials stated that the continued expansion will enhance farmers' investment capacity, improve productivity, reduce agricultural risks, and strengthen the broader rural economy. The DBT and Aadhaar-linked architecture will remain the delivery backbone, with no changes to the existing ₹6,000 annual benefit announced at this stage.