PM Kisan Yojana – Eligibility, eKYC Process, Documents & Ineligible Farmers List Explained
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is an extraordinary Central Sector Scheme that is intended to serve as a financial buffer to the agricultural hub of India. The PM Kisan Yojana 2026 was officially implemented in February 2019, and its main goal is to support the income of small and marginal farmers with additional funds for buying the necessary agricultural inputs. Through the PM Kisan Nidhi Yojana, the eligible farmer families get a yearly financial benefit of Rs 6,000, which is provided as three installments of Rs 2,000 each in the form of yearly payments of four months.
In 2026, the need to uphold eligibility by being digitally compliant has never been as critical as it is in these times. Mandatory provisions like Aadhaar-seeding of bank accounts and conducting the eKYC process are now being strongly enforced so that only the actual beneficiaries may receive the benefits. LegalRaasta offers the services of experienced lawyers to assist you in expanding your agricultural business with the help of the PM Kisan Yojana 2026, or to get advice on business registration.
Overview of PM Kisan Yojana 2026
The Government of India initiated the PM Kisan Yojana to offer farmers guaranteed income assistance across the country. It empowers a strong Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, under which funds are deposited directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of beneficiaries, eliminating the intermediaries involved, hence providing complete transparency.
PM Kisan Yojana 2026 Scheme at a Glance
|
Feature |
Detailed Information |
|
Official Name |
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) |
|
Launched By |
Government of India (February 2019) |
|
Official Website |
https://pmkisan.gov.in |
|
Annual Financial Aid |
Rs 6,000 per eligible family |
|
Installment Structure |
3 installments of Rs 2,000 each every 4 months |
|
Payment Mode |
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via Aadhaar Payment Bridge |
|
Primary Eligibility |
Families with cultivable land in their names |
|
Mandatory Requirements |
eKYC completion, Aadhaar seeding, and Land record verification |
|
22nd Installment Date |
Late February or early March 2026 (Post February 24, 2026) |
PM Kisan Eligibility Criteria 2026
In order to be eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026, applicants must be Indian citizens and landholding farmers who satisfy certain, updated, and verified criteria of land ownership, family definition, and active Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
1. Basic Eligibility Conditions
In order to be registered under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, farmers should have the following basic requirements:
- Citizenship: The candidate should be an Indian citizen and a landholding farmer.
- Farmer Category: Although the scheme originally focused on Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF) with farms of less than 2 hectares, it was amended on June 1, 2019, to cover all landholding farmer families irrespective of the size of their farms.
- Land Ownership: Eligible families should be the owners of cultivable land in their own name according to the official land records of the State or Union Territory involved.
- State Records: The process of beneficiary identification is the task of solely State/UT governments based on existing land-ownership systems.
2. Category-Based Eligibility
PM Kisan Yojana eligibility extends to individual and joint farmers with a family consisting of spouses and minor children to receive the benefits.
- Individual and Joint Landholders: Both individual farmers and those in joint landholding arrangements are eligible. In joint holdings, benefits are passed on to family members according to the highest quantum of landholding or the oldest member in case of equal sizes of landholdings.
- Definition of Family: Under the PM Kisan Yojana, the definition of a family is a husband, wife, and minor children. This makes the benefit limited to Rs 6,000 per nuclear family unit.
Income and Other Conditions
Even if a farmer owns land, they may be excluded from the PM Kisan Yojana 2026 based on their economic status or profession.
- Income Tax Exclusion: If any member of the family paid income tax in the last assessment year, the entire family is ineligible for the PM Kisan Yojana. However, recent audits revealed more than 13. 8 crore ineligible farmers among taxpayers.
- Government Employees: The serving as well as the retired officers and employees of Central/State ministries, PSUs, and local bodies are generally not included. Exception: If they fulfill other conditions, MTS, Class IV, and Group D staff will continue to be considered eligible.
- Pension Limit: Retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs 10,000 or more are excluded.
- Institutional Landholders: Organizations, trusts, or institutions owning land cannot claim benefits.
List of Ineligible Farmers (Exclusion List 2026)
Not all landholders are eligible. The government has defined strict “Exclusion Categories” for those of higher economic status. The following categories are strictly excluded from the PM Kisan Yojana:
- Institutional Landholders: Including religious trusts or corporate entities.
- Taxpayers: Anyone who paid income tax in the previous assessment year.
- Constitutional Post Holders: Former and present Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Mayors.
- Government Officers: All serving or retired employees of government departments and PSUs (excluding Group D/MTS).
- High-Income Pensioners: Retirees with a monthly pension exceeding Rs 10,000.
- Professionals: Registered Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects.
Summary of Eligibility & Inclusions (2026)
|
Category |
Eligible (Inclusions) |
Ineligible (Exclusions) |
|
Family |
Indian landholding families (husband, wife, and minor children). |
Institutional landholders (trusts, companies, etc.). |
|
Land |
Families with cultivable land, regardless of the land size. |
Individuals without land ownership (tenant farmers). |
|
Tax |
Families who did not pay income tax in the last assessment year. |
Any family member who was an income taxpayer. |
|
Job |
Group D, Class IV, and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employees. |
Government employees and officers (Central/State/PSUs). |
|
Profession |
General farmers are not in high-income professional roles. |
Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, CAs, and Architects. |
PM Kisan eKYC Process 2026 (Mandatory)
Completing the PM Kisan Yojana 20th installment KYC (and subsequent cycles) is now a non-negotiable requirement.
Why eKYC is Mandatory
eKYC is a pillar used by the government to verify the identity of the beneficiaries based on Aadhaar. This will help to avoid fraud, eliminate bogus beneficiaries, and make sure that only active, eligible farmers collect funds in the 22nd installment.
How to Complete eKYC Online (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official portal at https://pmkisan.gov.in.
- Go to the ‘Farmers Corner’ and choose eKYC.
- Write your 12-digit Aadhaar Number and press search.
- The mobile number linked with Aadhaar will get an OTP.
- Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar to receive an OTP.
- Enter the OTP on the portal and click “Submit” to receive a confirmation message.
Biometric eKYC (CSC Centers)
In case OTP verification fails due to the lack of connection to the mobile number via Aadhaar, you need to go to a Common Service Centre (CSC). A nominal fee will be charged to authenticate your identity via a fingerprint or iris scan by an operator.
Required Documents for PM Kisan Registration
To successfully complete the PM Kisan Yojana online application process, have the following documents ready:
- Aadhaar Card: The primary identity document for Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Land Records: Scanned copies of Khatauni, Khasra, or your land passbook.
- Bank Account Details: Must include the account number and IFSC Code; the account must be Aadhaar-seeded for DBT.
- Mobile Number: This is necessary to receive OTPs and receive SMS notifications about the PM Kisan status.
- Passport Size Photograph: Sometimes needed to be physically verified in local offices.
How to Check PM Kisan Beneficiary Status
To check your PM Kisan Yojana registration status, you can do it through a very easy online procedure.
- Online Status Check: Visit the official site and choose Farmers corner, the Know Your Status.
- Verification: Type in your Registration Number and captcha code. In case you do not have your registration number, you can use your Aadhaar or mobile number to see the number.
- Village-Wise List: You can check whether your whole village is covered or not by clicking on ‘Beneficiary List‘, then choosing your State, District, Sub-District, Block, and Village, and then clicking on ‘Get Report’.
How to Check PM Kisan Registration Status & Rejected List
You can check your name on the rejected list in case you have not yet received your PM Kisan Yojana 21st installment.
Check Rejected List via Dashboard:
- Log in to the official portal (https://pmkisan.gov.in).
- Click on the ‘Dashboard’ link.
- Filter by State, District, and Village.
- In the Aadhaar status section, choose the rejected option to see the list of rejections and the cause.
Common Reasons for Application Rejection
In case you have not yet received your PM Kisan Yojana 21st installment, your application may have been disqualified due to the following reasons:
- Incorrect Bank Details
- Aadhaar Seeding Issues
- Land Record Mismatch
- eKYC Incomplete
- Duplicate Application
Common PM Kisan Status Messages and Solutions
|
Status Message |
Meaning |
Required Action |
|
Aadhaar is not seeded |
Aadhaar is not linked to a bank account |
Visit your bank branch to link Aadhaar with your account. |
|
FTO is Generated |
Fund Transfer Order issued |
Wait for a few days; the amount will be credited shortly. |
|
Correction Pending at State |
Verification in progress at the district level |
No action needed; check again in 2 weeks. |
|
Rejected by PFMS/Bank |
Incorrect bank/IFSC info or inactive account |
Update your bank details on the PM Kisan portal. |
|
Land Seeding is “No” |
Land records not verified/uploaded |
Contact your Tehsildar with land documents for verification. |
PM Kisan Yojana 2026: Latest Updates and Important Deadlines
There is always nervousness among beneficiaries about the PM Kisan 22 Kist. Based on the consistent four-month cycle:
- PM Kisan 22nd Installment: This payment is highly anticipated for late February 2026 (projections often point to February 24, 2026) or early March. Some reports suggest a window between March and April 2026.
- PM Kisan 23rd Installment: Following the regular cycle, this installment is projected for the June–July 2026 period.
- 21st Installment Recap: Disbursed on November 19, 2025, to nearly 9.34 crore farmers.
- eKYC Deadline: Farmers are required to do eKYC prior to the release of an installment to ensure that the release is not delayed. The proposed deadline of January 2026 is recommended for the 22nd installment.
- Unique Farmer ID: The government is moving towards a compulsory Unique Farmer ID to consolidate all welfare benefits.
Historical Disbursement and Beneficiary Trends (5th to 21st Installment)
|
Installment No. |
Financial Year |
Beneficiaries (in Crores) |
Amount (in Rs. Cr.) |
|
5th |
2020-21 (Apr-Jul) |
9.26 crores |
Rs 20,989.46 crores |
|
10th |
2021-22 (Dec-Mar) |
10.41 crores |
Rs 22,343.30 crores |
|
11th (Peak) |
2022-23 (Apr-Jul) |
10.48 crores |
Rs 22,617.98 crores |
|
15th |
2023-24 (Aug-Nov) |
8.12 crores |
Rs 19,596.74 crores |
|
19th |
2024-25 (Dec-Mar) |
10.06 crores |
Rs 23,500.83 crores |
|
20th |
2025-26 (Apr-Jul) |
9.71 crores |
Rs 20,843.44 crores |
|
21st |
2025-26 (Aug-Nov) |
9.34 crores |
Rs 18,680.63 crores |
Note: The 12th and 13th installment decline occurred because of the ‘Integrity Contraction’, in which millions were taken off due to failure to go through the mandatory Aadhaar-based eKYC.
Conclusion
The PM Kisan Yojana continues to be an essential assistive program to Indian farmers, with the system paying over Rs 4.09 lakh crore to the beneficiaries. The land record check, Aadhaar-bank seeding, and the mandatory eKYC process are all important towards guaranteeing that you are eligible in 2026. In order to avoid rejection, farmers are advised to check their PM Kisan status regularly and to promptly correct inconsistencies in the obtained data.
Being digitally compliant, you will be assured that the financial aid of Rs 6,000 remains transferred to your account, giving strength to your farming career. To get some specialized legal help or make sure that your farming enterprise does not go against all the rules set by the government, call LegalRaasta.com now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is eKYC compulsory for PM Kisan Yojana 2026?
Yes, the government has made it mandatory for every beneficiary of the PM Kisan Yojana to complete eKYC verification via OTP, biometrics, or face authentication to ensure funds reach genuine farmers without any fraudulent activity or intermediaries.
- Can tenant farmers apply for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana benefits?
No, the PM Kisan Yojana is a purely land-ownership-based programme where anyone is only eligible to be classified as a tenant farmer and a sharecropper because holder of ownable land in their own name in the official state landholdings.
- How to update bank details in pm kisan nidhi yojana?
If your record is rejected by PFMS, you can update your bank account number and IFSC code on the PM Kisan Yojana official portal or visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) to ensure your details match your Aadhaar name exactly.
- What to do if the PM Kisan status is not showing as received?
To begin with, verify yourself at the official portal; in case it displays either of the following under your status ‘eKYC Required’ or ‘Aadhaar not Seeded’, resolve these matters as soon as possible to remain eligible in the PM Kisan Yojana. You can also file a complaint with the helpdesk if the payment is missing.
- Can multiple family members apply for the PM Kisan 22nd Installment Date?
No, the PM Kisan Yojana benefit is restricted to one per family, which is defined as a husband, wife, and minor children; even if land is held jointly, only the eligible family unit receives the annual Rs 6,000 assistance.
- How to correct the name mismatch for the PM Kisan 23rd Installment Date?
To change the name displayed in your Aadhaar card to the exact name it is in your Aadhaar card to ensure a successful authentication and payment process, you may use the link, ‘Edit Aadhaar Details’, on the official PM Kisan Yojana portal.
- How to check registration status for Pm kisan 22 kist?
Go to the official site, visit the Farmers corner and use the ‘Know Your Status’ option and fill in the registration details to follow the progress of your PM Kisan Yojana application.
- What is the amount given under the PM Kisan yojana login?
Under the PM Kisan Yojana, the farmers with eligibility obtain an annual amount of Rs 6,000, paid in three installments of Rs 2,000 after every four months, via Direct benefited transfer, to their bank accounts seeded with Aadhaar.
- Is a taxpayer family eligible for the PM Kisan yojana registration status?
No, when any member of the family of a farmer paid income tax during the previous assessment year, the whole family is not eligible for the PM Kisan Yojana because the scheme is not aimed at those not belonging to higher economic status groups.
- What is the expected date for the PM Kisan yojana online apply?
The central government plans to launch the 22nd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana in late February to early March 2026, and past disbursement trends have indicated that the central government would tend to launch the installment around February 24th.