Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 20th PM-KISAN instalment on August 2, 2025, transferring ₹20,500 crore to 9.7 crore farmers, with Uttar Pradesh leading as the top beneficiary state. The scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three instalments, ensuring financial support for agricultural needs. A new registration campaign in UP aims to cover 2.88 crore farmers by September 2025.
PM-KISAN Boosts Uttar Pradesh Farmers with ₹6,000 Annual Aid
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme continues to be a cornerstone of financial support for farmers across India, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as a key beneficiary in 2025. On August 2, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 20th instalment of the scheme from Varanasi, transferring ₹20,500 crore to over 9.7 crore farmers nationwide. Uttar Pradesh, with over 2.25 crore beneficiaries during the 18th instalment (August to November 2024), remains the state with the highest number of recipients, underscoring its significant agricultural base.
Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families, disbursed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 every four months. The funds are directly transferred to farmers’ Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and eliminating middlemen. The scheme supports small and marginal farmers, who constitute over 85% of India’s farming community, by aiding with expenses related to sowing, harvesting, and other agricultural needs.
In Uttar Pradesh, the state government has launched a special campaign starting September 16, 2025, to ensure 100% registration of eligible farmers under PM-KISAN, targeting 2.88 crore farmers. Currently, over 1.45 crore farmers in the state are registered, but many remain uncovered. The campaign, monitored by district magistrates, emphasizes the completion of e-KYC, a mandatory requirement for receiving instalments. Farmers can register and complete e-KYC on the official PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in) by providing Aadhaar, land, and bank details.
The 19th instalment, released on February 24, 2025, in Bhagalpur, Bihar, saw over 9.8 crore farmers receive ₹22,000 crore, with Uttar Pradesh again leading in beneficiary numbers. Since its inception, the scheme has disbursed over ₹3.69 lakh crore across 19 instalments, transforming the lives of farmers by reducing reliance on moneylenders and providing economic stability. The 21st instalment is anticipated in September or October 2025, with updates expected on the PM-KISAN portal.
Technological integrations have enhanced the scheme’s accessibility. Over 5 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) facilitate registrations, while the Kisan eMitra AI chatbot, launched in September 2023 and integrated with Bhashini, resolves queries in local languages. The Department of Posts also supports farmers in linking or updating mobile numbers with Aadhaar for e-KYC completion. A saturation drive under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in November 2023 added over 1 crore eligible farmers, with an additional 25 lakh included within the first 100 days of the government formed in June 2024.
The scheme excludes institutional landholders, income tax payers, pensioners with monthly pensions above ₹10,000, and professionals like doctors or lawyers. Eligibility is restricted to farmer families (husband, wife, and minor children) with cultivable land as per state or Union Territory records. In Uttar Pradesh, strict verification processes have been implemented, with 21 lakh farmers found ineligible in a 2022 probe, highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.
Beyond financial aid, PM-KISAN fosters dignity and independence among farmers. It supports crop health, boosts yields, and acts as a safety net during challenging times. The scheme’s success has drawn praise from organizations like the World Bank, with economists noting its effectiveness compared to farm loan waivers. As Uttar Pradesh ramps up its registration drive, the PM-KISAN scheme continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the state’s farmers and strengthening India’s agricultural backbone.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from government websites, news reports, and official announcements available as of September 2, 2025. Readers are advised to verify details on the official PM-KISAN portal (pmkisan.gov.in) for the latest updates on eligibility, registration, and payment status.