PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026: Full Details, Eligibility, Installment Dates & Application Process

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana continues to be one of the largest direct income-support programs for farmers in India. In 2026, the scheme remains a crucial financial lifeline for crores of small and marginal farmer families across the country, including Maharashtra. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026 — from eligibility and benefits to the latest installment dates, required documents, and step-by-step application process.

What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India. Launched on 24 February 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, the scheme provides income support of ₹6,000 per year to landholding farmer families, paid directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The objective is to help farmers meet expenses related to agricultural inputs and other allied needs, ensuring better crop health and household stability.

Key Highlights of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026

Who is Eligible for PM Kisan Yojana?

• To receive the benefit, farmer families must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• The applicant must belong to a landholding farmer family — this includes husband, wife, and minor children.
• The family must collectively own cultivable agricultural land, as recorded in official state land records.
• Bank account must be linked with Aadhaar and e-KYC verified, as unverified accounts do not receive payments.
• In several states, a valid Farmer ID is now required; without it, installments may be delayed.

Who is NOT Eligible?

Even if a person owns agricultural land, they are excluded from PM-KISAN benefits if they fall under any of the following categories:

• Institutional landholders, including companies, trusts, and registered societies that own agricultural land.
• Constitutional post holders — serving or former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, and Judges.
• Elected representatives — serving or former MPs, MLAs, Mayors, and Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
• Income tax payers in the previous assessment year.
• Serving or retired government employees drawing a regular salary (with some exceptions for lower-level staff), and professionals such as doctors, engineers, and chartered accountants who are practicing.

PM Kisan 2026 Installment Schedule

The annual benefit of ₹6,000 is released in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, spread across three four-month cycles: April to July, August to November, and December to March. The 23rd installment was released on 20 June 2026, benefiting more than 9.44 crore farmers with a total disbursal of ₹18,880 crore. Based on the regular four-month cycle, the 24th installment is expected around October 2026, although the exact date is announced by the government closer to the release.

Extra Benefit for Maharashtra Farmers: Namo Shetkari Maha Samman Nidhi Yojana

Farmers in Maharashtra are in a unique position because the state government runs its own top-up scheme called the Namo Shetkari Maha Samman Nidhi Yojana, which works alongside PM-KISAN rather than replacing it. Under this state scheme, eligible Maharashtra farmers receive an additional ₹6,000 per year, paid in three installments of ₹2,000 each, following the same cycle as PM-KISAN. This effectively means that farmer families in Maharashtra who qualify for both schemes can receive a combined ₹12,000 per year — ₹6,000 from the central PM-KISAN scheme and ₹6,000 from the state’s Namo Shetkari scheme.

More than 90 lakh farmers across Maharashtra are currently benefiting from the Namo Shetkari scheme, and its 8th installment was approved in March 2026, with over ₹1,774 crore released to beneficiaries. Since eligibility for Namo Shetkari is largely linked to the existing PM-KISAN database, farmers who are already registered and e-KYC verified under PM-KISAN generally do not need to apply separately, though it is always advisable to check your beneficiary status on the official Namo Shetkari portal to confirm you are receiving both installments.

A Brief History and Growth of PM-KISAN

Since its launch in February 2019, PM-KISAN has grown to become one of the largest income-support schemes in the world. The number of beneficiary families rose steadily from just over 3 crore in its very first installment period (December 2018–March 2019) to well beyond 9 crore in recent years, reflecting continuous expansion in coverage as more state land records were digitized and integrated with the portal. Over the years, the government has disbursed several lakh crore rupees in total under the scheme, making it one of the most far-reaching direct cash-transfer programs for India’s farming community. The scheme has also evolved technologically, moving from simple online registration toward stronger Aadhaar-based verification, mandatory e-KYC, and even an AI-powered chatbot (Kisan e-Mitra) that helps farmers check their status and resolve queries in multiple regional languages, including Marathi.

Documents Required for PM Kisan Registration

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Landholding papers / 7/12 extract or equivalent land record document
3. Bank account passbook (Aadhaar-linked)
4. Farmer ID (where applicable in your state)
5. Mobile number linked with Aadhaar for OTP-based e-KYC

How to Apply for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana Online

1. Visit the official PM-KISAN portal at pmkisan.gov.in.
2. Click on “New Farmer Registration” under the Farmers Corner section.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number and state, then complete the OTP verification.
4. Fill in personal details, bank account information, and land record details as required.
5. Upload the necessary documents and submit the application.
6. Note down your registration number to track the status later.
7. Complete e-KYC — either OTP-based on the portal or biometric at your nearest CSC — since payments are held back until this is done.

Government Schemes in Maharashtra 2026: Complete Guide for Job Seekers and Citizens

How to Check PM Kisan Beneficiary Status

1. Go to pmkisan.gov.in.
2. Click on “Beneficiary Status” under Farmers Corner.
3. Enter your registration number or Aadhaar number along with the captcha code.
4. Click “Get Data” to view your installment history and payment status.

Common Reasons for Delayed or Rejected Installments

• Aadhaar not linked or e-KYC not completed.
• Bank account details mismatched or account not Aadhaar-seeded.
• Farmer ID not generated in states where it is mandatory.
• Name mismatch between Aadhaar and land records.
• Application flagged during the verification process for ineligible category.

Farmers facing any of these issues can visit their nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or block-level agriculture office, or use the “Updation of Self Registered Farmers” option in the Farmers Corner to correct their details themselves.

Official Website Links (Government Sources Only)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the total annual benefit under PM Kisan Yojana? Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year, split into three installments of ₹2,000 each. Maharashtra farmers who also qualify for the state’s Namo Shetkari scheme can receive an additional ₹6,000 per year, taking their combined benefit up to ₹12,000 annually.

Q2. How can I check if my name is in the PM Kisan beneficiary list? Visit the official portal, go to Farmers Corner, click on “Beneficiary List,” and select your state, district, sub-district, block, and village to view the full list for your area.

Q3. What should I do if my installment is not credited? First check your beneficiary status online. If e-KYC is pending, complete it immediately. If the issue persists, visit your nearest Common Service Centre or the local agriculture office for correction of records.

Q4. Is there any fee to register or apply for PM Kisan Yojana? No. Registration, correction, and e-KYC are completely free of cost on the official government portal. Never pay any individual or agent claiming to process your application for a fee.

Q5. Can a farmer who pays income tax apply for PM Kisan Yojana? No. Income tax payers from the previous assessment year are excluded from the scheme, along with institutional landholders, constitutional post holders, and certain categories of government employees and professionals.

Always verify you are on an official .gov.in or state government domain before entering Aadhaar, bank, or personal details.

Disclaimer: Installment dates, amounts, and eligibility rules are subject to change based on government notifications. Please verify the latest details on the official PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in) before applying or making any decisions.