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 scheme from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with a total outlay of Rs 3.15 lakh crore.

The scheme provides timely and transparent income support to eligible farmer families through the Direct Benefit Transfer system, enabling them to increase agricultural investment and strengthen their livelihoods.

Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN delivers financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families, transferred directly into their bank accounts in three equal instalments. Through Aadhaar authentication, digital verification and a robust Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism, the scheme has established a framework of transparency, efficiency and accountability.

More than Rs 4.47 lakh crore has been transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts across 23 instalments. Under the 23rd instalment alone, more than 9.49 crore farmers received over Rs 18,984 crore. During the Covid-19 pandemic, more than Rs 1.71 lakh crore was disbursed to provide financial assistance. Women farmers have received more than Rs 1.06 lakh crore under the scheme, with nearly one in four beneficiaries being a woman farmer.

The assistance has enabled farmers to make timely investments in seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, agricultural machinery and other requirements. This has enhanced productive capacity, reduced dependence on informal credit and strengthened the financial stability of rural households.

An evaluation by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office of NITI Aayog found that more than 92 per cent of beneficiaries reported using the assistance for agricultural activities and investment. Approximately 85 per cent confirmed an improvement in agricultural income and a reduction in reliance on informal credit.

Between 2020–21 and 2025–26, foodgrain production recorded significant growth. The area under cultivation increased by approximately 9.65 per cent, productivity by about 10.53 per cent and total foodgrain production by roughly 21.18 per cent, reflecting the broader support available to farmers and the expanding capacity of the agriculture sector.

By continuing Aadhaar-based authentication, digital beneficiary verification and the Direct Benefit Transfer system, the scheme ensures that financial assistance reaches farmers directly. The extension is expected to further enhance farmers’ capacity to invest in agriculture, improve productivity, help mitigate agricultural risks and strengthen the rural economy.