For Indian farmers, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is not just a scheme, but a lifeline in difficult times for farming. Currently, millions of eligible farmers across the country are eagerly awaiting their 22nd installment, but the real discussion is about the Union Budget to be presented on February 1, 2026.
Will the Modi government provide a significant gift to farmers this time by increasing the annual amount by ₹6,000? The ongoing discussions between the Agriculture Ministry and the Finance Ministry indicate that this year’s budget allocation could break all previous records.
Current Statistics of PM-KISAN
Launched in 2019, this scheme has become one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes in the world. The government has made significant increases to the scheme’s budget every year so that no eligible farmer is deprived of this benefit. While the actual expenditure in the 2023-24 financial year was ₹61,440.74 crore, it has been increased to ₹63,500 crore for 2024-25.
Data shows that the PM Kisan budget has increased significantly by approximately ₹2,059.26 crore over the past two years. This is proof that the government is determined to avoid a shortage of funds, given the growing number of beneficiaries and the increasing cost of farming. It is estimated that the budget for the upcoming 2025-26 budget will exceed ₹65,000 crore.
Will the amount of ₹6,000 increase
When Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the budget in Parliament on February 1, 2026, the biggest demand from farmers will be an increase in the annual amount. Farmer organizations have long demanded that the annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 is insufficient given the rising prices of fertilizers, seeds, and diesel. Experts believe that the government may increase this amount to ₹8,000 or ₹9,000 annually to strengthen the rural economy and prepare for the upcoming elections. Furthermore, the budget may allocate separate funds for digital crop surveys and database management to prevent ineligible individuals from exploiting the scheme.
Government’s Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector
According to experts, this budget will focus not only on cash assistance but also on agricultural infrastructure. The increased budget for the PM Kisan Yojana directly means increased cash flow in rural areas, which will boost rural markets.
The government’s goal is to free farmers from the debt trap of moneylenders and make them self-reliant. The budget may also include some strategic incentive schemes alongside PM Kisan to promote natural farming. This step will not only improve soil health but also significantly reduce farmers’ input costs.
e-KYC and Verification
Farmers must be fully prepared to secure their next installment and budget benefits. The government has now made e-KYC and land verification mandatory. Farmers should carefully check their status on the PM Kisan portal and ensure that their bank account is securely linked to Aadhaar and DBT is active. Any significant errors in name spelling or account number must be corrected immediately; otherwise, despite the budgetary funds being approved, your installment may be withheld.