The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, popularly known as the Farmer Honour Scheme, is a central sector initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 February 2019 . The scheme’s primary objective is to supplement the financial needs of small and marginal farmers across India by providing direct income support.
The “Farmer Honour” title reflects the scheme’s intent to honour the contribution of farmers to the nation’s economy. Under the scheme, eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each, transferred directly into their Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode . As of August 2025, the Government of India has disbursed over ₹3.90 lakh crore to farmers across the country in 20 instalments since the scheme’s inception.
Overview of PM-KISAN Farmer Honour Scheme
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Date | 24 February 2019 |
| Annual Benefit | ₹6,000 per farmer family |
| Instalment Frequency | 3 instalments of ₹2,000 each |
| Total Beneficiaries | Over 11 crore farmers (as of 2026) |
| Total Disbursed | Over ₹3.90 lakh crore (as of August 2025) |
| Karnataka Beneficiaries | ~46.7 lakh eligible farmers |
| Karnataka Disbursement | ₹877.32 crore (20th instalment) |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Official Portal | pmkisan.gov.in |
| Helpline Number | 155261 / 011-24300606 |
Key Features and Benefits
The Farmer Honour Scheme incorporates several features designed to make income support accessible to farmers.
Direct Financial Support:
The scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to each eligible farmer family, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every four months . This direct cash transfer supplements farmers’ income for agricultural inputs and household needs.
Transparent DBT Mechanism:
Funds are transferred directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through DBT, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring benefits reach intended beneficiaries without leakage .
Farmer-Centric Digital Infrastructure:
The scheme uses a digital platform that ensures benefits reach all eligible farmers without involvement of intermediaries. It maintains transparency in registering and verifying beneficiaries .
No Intermediaries:
The scheme’s design specifically avoids intermediaries, ensuring that the full benefit reaches the farmer’s bank account .
Wide Coverage:
The scheme covers small and marginal farmers across India, with over 11 crore registered beneficiaries as of 2026 .
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the PM-KISAN Farmer Honour Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Land Ownership | Must have cultivable land-holding |
| Farmer Category | Small and marginal farmers |
| Residency | Must be a resident of India |
| Exclusions | Higher-income farmers, institutional landholders, and government employees are excluded |
| Land Records | Land details must be seeded in the PM-KISAN portal |
| Bank Account | Aadhaar-seeded bank account required |
| eKYC | Must complete mandatory eKYC |
Note: The government has clarified that there is no proposal to expand the scheme to include tenant farmers and sharecroppers as of August 2025 .
Documents Required for PM-KISAN Registration
Farmers need the following documents for PM-KISAN registration:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Primary identity and DBT linking |
| Land Records / RTC | Proof of cultivable land-holding |
| Bank Account Details | For DBT payment (must be Aadhaar-seeded) |
| Mobile Number | For OTP verification and updates |
PM-KISAN Registration Process
Farmers can register for the PM-KISAN scheme through the following methods:
Online Registration:
- Visit Official Portal: Go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click “New Farmer Registration” under the Farmers Corner section
- Fill Details: Enter Aadhaar number, land records, bank account details, and personal information
- Submit Application: Complete the registration process
- Receive Registration ID: Note the registration number for future reference
Offline Registration:
- Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Visit the block agriculture office or Farmer Contact Centre
- Submit required documents for manual registration
Important for Karnataka Farmers: New registration farmers in Karnataka need to produce a Farmer ID (FID) for registration . The Farmer Registration & Unified Beneficiary Information System (FRUITS) is used to create this unique Farmer ID .
eKYC: Mandatory Requirement
eKYC is mandatory for all PM-KISAN registered farmers to receive benefits . Farmers can complete eKYC through multiple methods:
OTP-Based eKYC:
- Available on the PM-KISAN portal and mobile application
- Uses the mobile number linked to Aadhaar
Biometric eKYC:
- Visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) or State Service Centre (SSC)
- Complete biometric authentication using Aadhaar
Facial Recognition eKYC:
- Available on the PM-KISAN mobile app
- Uses facial recognition for authentication
Status Update:
The updated eKYC status generally reflects on the PM-KISAN portal within 24 hours of completion .
How to Check Beneficiary Status
Farmers can check their PM-KISAN beneficiary status through multiple methods:
Online Status Check:
- Visit Official Portal: Go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click “Beneficiary Status” under Farmers Corner
- Enter Details: Use one of three search methods:
- Aadhaar Number
- PM-KISAN Registration Number
- Registered Mobile Number
- View Status: Details of instalments received and payment information will be displayed
Village-Wise Beneficiary List:
- Go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click “Farmers Corner” → “Beneficiary List”
- Select State → District → Sub-District → Block → Village
- Click “Get Report”
- The list of registered beneficiaries in the village will appear
What “Beneficiary Not Found” Means:
This status indicates that the farmer is not yet registered in the PM-KISAN system. Registration must be completed through the official portal or CSC .
Instalment Schedule and Latest Payments
The PM-KISAN scheme disburses three instalments annually:
| Instalment Period | Tentative Months |
|---|---|
| 1st Instalment | April – July |
| 2nd Instalment | August – November |
| 3rd Instalment | December – March |
Latest Instalment Status (2025-26):
- 20th Instalment: Released on 2 August 2025 by Prime Minister Modi in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. ₹20,500 crore disbursed to approximately 9.7 crore farmers
- 21st Instalment: Disbursed in November 2025
- 22nd Instalment: Expected between February – March 2026
Karnataka-Specific Disbursement:
Under the 20th instalment (April-July 2025), Karnataka received ₹877.32 crore benefiting 43,29,135 farmers .
PM-KISAN Implementation in Karnataka
Karnataka is one of the high-beneficiary states for the PM-KISAN scheme . Key details:
Beneficiary Statistics:
- Total eligible farmers in Karnataka: 46,69,841
- Beneficiaries in 20th instalment (April-July 2025): 43,29,135
- Total disbursement in Karnataka (20th instalment): ₹877.32 crore
District-Wise Coverage:
- Belagavi: 5,37,165 eligible farmers (41,459 missed 23rd instalment due to incomplete eKYC)
- Tumakuru: 41,082 farmers missed instalment
- Bidar: 29,910 farmers missed instalment
State-Wide Compliance Status:
- Farmers yet to complete eKYC: 3,80,428
- Farmers yet to link Aadhaar with bank accounts: 2,27,384
Key Issue: Karnataka has urged the Centre to release funds for 31,340 eligible farmers who had not received financial assistance for the period August-November 2025 .
Common Issues and Solutions
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Missing Instalment | Complete eKYC and Aadhaar-bank linkage; pending payments will be released in the next cycle |
| “Beneficiary Not Found” | Complete new registration through PM-KISAN portal or CSC |
| “Rejected” Status | Check rejection reason; common fixes include name mismatch, incomplete eKYC, or land records not in farmer’s name |
| Farmer ID Not Generated | Provide eKYC and digital consent at nearest Farmer Contact Centre |
Important: Farmers who missed an instalment due to incomplete formalities will receive pending instalments in the next cycle once they complete the required steps .
Farmer ID (FID) Requirement
The Centre has made the centrally registered Farmer Identification (FID) number mandatory for all agricultural scheme beneficiaries . Key points:
What is FID?
- A unique identification number for farmers
- Created through the Farmer Registration & Unified Beneficiary Information System (FRUITS) in Karnataka
Why FID is Needed:
- Mandatory for all central agricultural schemes including PM-KISAN
- Prevents ineligible beneficiaries from accessing schemes
- Ensures transparent distribution of grants
How to Get FID:
- Register via FRUITS portal with Aadhaar, land records, and bank details
- Self-registration through the mobile app
- Visit nearest Farmer Contact Centre
Karnataka Status: More than 24 lakh farmers in Karnataka are yet to complete KYC and provide digital consent for FID generation .
Important Official Links and Resources
Official Websites:
- PM-KISAN Official Portal: pmkisan.gov.in
- Karnataka Government Portal: karnataka.gov.in
Helpline Numbers:
- PM-KISAN Helpline: 155261 / 011-24300606
- Karnataka Agriculture Department: Contact local Farmer Contact Centre
Registration Centres:
- Common Service Centres (CSC)
- State Service Centres (SSC)
- Farmer Contact Centres
- Block Agriculture Offices
What is the Farmer Honour Scheme (PM-KISAN)?
The PM-KISAN Farmer Honour Scheme is a central government initiative providing ₹6,000 per year in three instalments of ₹2,000 each to small and marginal farmers with cultivable land-holding. The scheme was launched on 24 February 2019 .
Who is eligible for the PM-KISAN scheme?
Small and marginal farmers with cultivable land-holding are eligible. Farmers must have Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts, complete mandatory eKYC, and have land details seeded in the PM-KISAN portal. Institutional landholders and government employees are excluded .
How much financial assistance is provided under the scheme?
Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every four months. The funds are transferred directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through DBT .
How can I check my PM-KISAN beneficiary status?
Visit pmkisan.gov.in, click “Beneficiary Status” under Farmers Corner, and enter your Aadhaar number, registration number, or registered mobile number. You can also check the village-wise beneficiary list on the portal .
What is eKYC and why is it mandatory?
eKYC is the electronic Know Your Customer process mandatory for all PM-KISAN registered farmers to receive benefits. It can be completed through OTP authentication, biometric authentication at CSC, or facial recognition on the mobile app .
What documents are needed for PM-KISAN registration?
Required documents include Aadhaar Card, land records showing cultivable land-holding, Aadhaar-seeded bank account details, and a registered mobile number for OTP verification .
What is a Farmer ID (FID) and why is it required?
Farmer ID is a unique identification number created through the FRUITS system in Karnataka. It is mandatory for all central agricultural schemes, including PM-KISAN, to prevent ineligible beneficiaries and ensure transparent grant distribution .
How many farmers are covered under PM-KISAN in Karnataka?
Karnataka has approximately 46.7 lakh eligible farmers. In the 20th instalment (April-July 2025), 43,29,135 farmers received ₹877.32 crore. However, many farmers are yet to complete eKYC and Aadhaar-bank linkage .
What should I do if my PM-KISAN instalment is pending?
Complete your eKYC and link your Aadhaar with your bank account. Pending instalments will be released in the next cycle once formalities are completed . Check your status on the PM-KISAN portal to identify the specific issue.
When is the next PM-KISAN instalment expected?
The 22nd instalment is tentatively expected between February and March 2026. The 21st instalment was disbursed in November 2025. Keep your eKYC and bank linkage updated to receive the instalment without delay .