Why in the news?

  • The centre released Rs 540 crore under the August-November instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme to beneficiaries in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, which were recently hit by floods.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

  • Launched: February 2019.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
  • Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
  • Objective: To provide income support to all landholding farmer families to supplement their financial needs for the procurement of inputs related to agriculture and allied activities.
  • Features
    • Target Group: All landholding farmer families in the country.
    • Definition of Beneficiary: A farmer family includes husband, wife, and minor children.
    • Benefit: Direct income support of ₹6,000 per year.
      • Paid in 3 equal instalments of ₹2,000 each.
      • Transferred directly into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • Implementation
    • State Governments identify eligible farmer families.
    • Central Government verifies beneficiaries and releases funds.