Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, channeling Rs.2,000 directly into the bank accounts of approximately 9 crore small and marginal farmers across the country. The massive cash transfer, totaling Rs.18,000 crore, marks the latest milestone in one of India's flagship rural welfare programs since its launch in February 2019.
The 21st disbursement comes as Modi continues his tour of southern India, where he is simultaneously attending the birth centenary celebrations of Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, and inaugurating the South India Natural Farming Conference in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The deliberate timing of the PM-KISAN release during his southern visit underscores the government's commitment to direct cash support for the farming community ahead of the crucial rabi sowing season.
Under the PM-KISAN framework, eligible small and marginal farmers receive Rs.6,000 annually through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), disbursed in three equal quarterly installments of Rs.2,000 each. The scheme operates on a fixed calendar, with installments typically released during April-July (first tranche), August-November (second tranche), and December-March (third quarter). Today's transfer marks the second quarterly installment of the financial year.
The government's latest figures reveal that over 10 crore farmers currently benefit from PM-KISAN across India, making it one of the largest income support schemes globally. The program has become a cornerstone of rural economic policy, providing predictable cash flows that help farmers manage input costs and stabilize household incomes during critical agricultural periods.
However, the rollout of the 21st installment has not been uniform across all states. Several states in northern and union territories received early disbursements in late September and early October 2025. Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh were prioritized for advance relief following devastating floods and landslides in late September, receiving the installment on September 26. Jammu & Kashmir followed suit on October 7. These early transfers were executed on humanitarian grounds to assist affected farming communities during recovery operations.
The remaining states are receiving the 21st installment today, November 19, as part of the regular calendar. The staggered implementation reflects the government's administrative capacity while ensuring all eligible beneficiaries receive funds within the designated quarterly window.
The PM-KISAN scheme has demonstrated consistent implementation since its inception. The 20th installment was released on August 2, when Prime Minister Modi transferred Rs.20.84 crore to 9.7 crore farmers from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This operational continuity has strengthened farmer confidence in the scheme's reliability, making it a dependable income source for rural households.
Agricultural experts note that the timing of the second quarterly installment proves crucial for the rabi season. Farmers utilize these funds for purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs necessary for winter crop cultivation. The direct transfer mechanism eliminates intermediaries, ensuring money reaches intended beneficiaries without leakage or delay.
The scheme's design reflects a paradigm shift from input-based subsidies to direct income support, addressing structural challenges in Indian agriculture. By providing unconditional cash transfers, PM-KISAN acknowledges the inherent vulnerability of small and marginal farmers to price fluctuations, weather variability, and market uncertainties.
As the Modi government marks the launch of yet another successful PM-KISAN installment, the scheme continues validating its relevance to India's agricultural economy. With more than a decade of planned operations ahead and consistent funding allocation, PM-KISAN remains positioned as a stabilizing force for India's vast farming population for years to come.
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