PM Kisan 20th installment: A look at scheme's history, beneficiary count, and total funds transferred

PM Kisan 20th installment: Agriculture is among key aspects of India's economy and culture, empowering millions and shaping the nation’s identity. This was reflected in the Union Budget 2025–26, where the allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoAFW) was increased by 4% to ₹1.37 lakh crore.

Key government schemes to benefit farmers include Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), and Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), among others.

PM Kisan Yojana: History and objectives

PM Kisan Yojana came into effect on December 1, 2018, and was launched on February 24, 2019. The central sector scheme provides financial support to the land-holding farmers by giving ₹6,000 annually in an installment of ₹2,000 every fourth month directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.

The money is transferred online via direct benefit transfer (DBT), eliminating middlemen.

The scheme supplements the financial needs of the small and marginal farmers (SMFs) to procure inputs needed to ensure proper crop health and yields.

PM-Kisan Scheme: How many farmers have benefited, and how much has been transferred?

According to the government data, as of now, over ₹3.7 lakh crore in funds has been transferred under the PM Kisan scheme to more than 11 crore farmers.