Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme on November 19, extending financial support to millions of farming families across India. Since its launch in February 2019, the scheme has transferred over Rs 3.70 lakh crore directly into the bank accounts of more than 11 crore farmers, making it one of the world's largest Direct Benefit Transfer programmes. Each eligible family receives Rs 6,000 annually, with over 25% of the scheme's beneficiaries being women.
The scheme leverages technological and process advancements to ensure that the maximum number of beneficiaries receive support without any hassle. A fully digital system verifies land records, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts and eKYC details to enable transparent delivery. According to the government, this framework has eliminated middlemen and ensured that payments reach even the most remote villages without delays.
To make the process smoother, farmers can complete their eKYC through OTP-based verification, biometrics or face authentication. The PM-KISAN mobile app now allows beneficiaries to check payment details, update records and even assist other farmers with eKYC using facial authentication from their homes.
The PM-KISAN portal has also introduced features such as "Know Your Status," easy self-registration and access to Aadhaar-enabled banking support through the India Post Payments Bank. Farmers can complete registrations online or at nearby Common Service Centres.
The government has strengthened grievance redressal by integrating the PM-KISAN portal with CPGRAMS and a new AI-powered Kisan-eMitra chatbot. The chatbot supports 11 Indian languages, automatically detects a user's language and identifies relevant schemes based on the first query. Officials say it helps farmers overcome technology barriers through voice interaction and a touch-free system.
According to a 2019 study by the International Food Policy Research Institute, PM-KISAN has helped ease credit constraints, increased investment in farm inputs and boosted rural economic activity. The report noted that the funds also support essential needs such as education, healthcare and social obligations.
To improve last-mile delivery further, the Agriculture Ministry is developing a Farmer Registry, a verified national database that will simplify access to welfare schemes and reduce paperwork for cultivators. The government says this initiative marks another step toward a unified digital system for farmers.
With digital upgrades, village-level saturation drives and increasing automation, PM-KISAN continues to evolve into a comprehensive support mechanism for India's farming community.
