New Delhi: Farmers across India are awaiting the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, which provides financial support of Rs 6,000 annually in three installments. The last installment, the 20th tranche, was released in August 2025, benefitting over 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.4 crore women. While this installment came after a minor delay, expectations are high for the next payout in November.
The scheme, launched in 2019, remains the world’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer initiative, aimed at providing small and marginal farmers with financial assistance to meet agricultural needs. With the 21st installment around the corner, farmers are keen to know the release timeline and ensure their eligibility and registration details are up to date.
When Will the 21st Installment Be Released?
Media reports suggest that the 21st installment is likely to be released in the first half of November 2025, although no official date has been announced. It is important to note that farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, affected by floods and landslides, have already received the 21st installment early. On October 7, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan disbursed Rs 171 crore directly to 8.55 lakh farmers in the region, including over 85,000 women, through video conferencing.
PM Kisan Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for PM-Kisan benefits, a farmer must:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Own cultivable land.
- Be a small or marginal farmer.
- Not receive a pension above Rs 10,000 per month.
- Not have filed income tax returns.
- Not be an institutional landholder.
e-KYC: A Mandatory Step for Beneficiaries
Completion of e-KYC is mandatory to receive PM-Kisan installments. Farmers can complete OTP-based e-KYC via the official PM-Kisan portal or visit the nearest Common Service Centers (CSC) for biometric verification. Without e-KYC, the fund transfer may be delayed or blocked.
How to Check Status and Beneficiary List
Farmers can check their PM-Kisan installment status by visiting pmkisan.gov.in, clicking on ‘Know Your Status’, and entering their registration number and captcha. To check if their name is on the beneficiary list, they can select their state, district, block, and village under the ‘Beneficiary List’ tab and generate a report.
For any issues, farmers can contact the helpline numbers: 155261 or 011-24300606.
How to Apply for PM Kisan
New farmers can register online via the PM-Kisan portal by entering their Aadhaar number, filling in the application form, and submitting required details. A printout should be kept for reference.