The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme continues to be a vital support for farmers across India, and the 21st installment is highly anticipated. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months. The 20th installment was released on August 2, 2025, benefiting over 9.7 crore farmers with a total disbursement of ₹20,500 crore. Now, farmers are eagerly awaiting the 21st installment.
While the official date for the 21st installment is yet to be announced, expectations are that it may arrive in the last week of February 2026. According to past trends, the government usually disburses the amount around the first week of November.
It's important to note that special disbursements of the 21st installment have already been made to farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, following the floods and landslides in September 2025. Additionally, the installment was released to Jammu and Kashmir on October 7, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
To receive the benefits of the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers must meet certain eligibility criteria:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Own cultivable land with valid land records.
- Belong to marginalized or small sections of Indian farmers.
- The applicant must own his/her cultivable land but not more than 5 acres.
- Link their Aadhaar card to their bank account.
- Complete e-KYC verification.
Farmers who acquired land after February 1, 2019, or those with more than one family member enrolled for the benefits may be excluded. The Department has identified certain suspected cases that may fall under the exclusion criteria outlined in the PM-KISAN scheme guidelines and benefits for such cases have been temporarily withheld till physical verification is completed.
e-KYC: A Mandatory Step
The government has made e-KYC mandatory for all beneficiaries to ensure that the installment is credited to the correct individuals. Farmers who have not completed their e-KYC verification will not be eligible to receive the 21st installment.
Farmers can complete OTP-based e-KYC online through the PM-Kisan portal or visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) to finish the biometric e-KYC process. Face authentication-based e-KYC can also be done through the PM Kisan Mobile App.
Checking Beneficiary Status
Farmers can easily check their beneficiary status and payment status by following these steps:
- Visit the official PM-Kisan website (pmkisan.gov.in).
- Click on “Beneficiary Status”.
- Enter your Aadhaar number or bank account number.
- Click “Get Data”.
- Your beneficiary details will appear on the screen.
It is crucial for farmers to ensure that their Aadhaar card is linked to their bank account to receive the money through DBT mode. They should also verify their land records and update their bank details on the PM-KISAN portal.
The PM Kisan Yojana continues to be a crucial financial support for small and marginal farmers across the country. Farmers are advised to stay updated through the official website and complete all necessary verification processes to ensure they receive the upcoming 21st installment without any delays.
