Cabinet approves PM-KISAN scheme extension till 2031

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New Delhi, July 31

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a financial outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore.

The decision ensures the continuation of annual income support of ₹6,000 to eligible landholding farmer families through direct benefit transfers (DBT). The assistance is paid in three equal instalments directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN is one of the Centre’s flagship farmer welfare programmes. According to the government, more than ₹4.47 lakh crore has been transferred directly to farmers through 23 instalments since its inception. The latest instalment benefited over 9.49 crore farmers, with more than ₹18,984 crore released.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the scheme disbursed more than ₹1.71 lakh crore to support farmers. Women beneficiaries have received over ₹1.06 lakh crore under the programme, with nearly one in four beneficiaries being women farmers.

The government said the income support has helped farmers invest in seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, farm machinery and other agricultural inputs, while reducing dependence on informal sources of credit and improving household financial stability.

Citing an evaluation by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog, the government said over 92% of beneficiaries used the financial assistance for agricultural activities and farm investments, while around 85% reported higher agricultural income and reduced reliance on informal borrowing.

The government also linked the scheme to improvements in agricultural performance between 2020-21 and 2025-26, stating that the cultivated area increased by around 9.65%, productivity by 10.53%, and overall foodgrain production by 21.18% during the period.

Officials said the scheme’s Aadhaar-based authentication, digital beneficiary verification and DBT mechanism have ensured transparent and timely transfer of funds, making PM-KISAN a key component of the government’s Digital India initiative.

The Cabinet said extending the scheme is expected to strengthen farmers’ investment capacity, improve agricultural productivity, reduce farming risks and support the rural economy as part of the government’s broader vision of building a self-reliant and developed India.