Just before the auspicious festival of Diwali, millions of farmers across the country were eagerly awaiting the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. Farmers were hopeful that the government would soon release the next installment of ₹2,000 into their accounts to double the festive joy. However, recent reports indicate that this major Diwali gift may be delayed. It is now likely that the 21st installment will be directly transferred (DBT) to farmers’ accounts in the first week of November. This financial assistance plays a crucial role in meeting the farming needs of small and marginal farmers.
The 21st installment may be announced before the Bihar elections
According to media reports, the central government may officially announce the release of the 21st installment of the PM-KISAN scheme in the first week of November. This timing is considered significant because this announcement could come just days before the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections. The dates for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections have been set for November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Questions about releasing installments during the Code of Conduct
Since the Model Code of Conduct is currently in effect in Bihar, it’s natural to question whether the government can release a new installment of PM-KISAN during this period. Experts say that no new schemes can be announced during the Code of Conduct, but payments for previously approved schemes can continue. Therefore, the Code of Conduct does not hinder the release of PM-KISAN installments, but a government decision is still awaited.
The 21st installment has already been released in some states
It is particularly noteworthy that the central government has already released the 21st installment for farmers in some states. On September 26, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released this installment for farmers in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. This payment was made as advance relief to farmers due to the recent floods and landslides in these states. Subsequently, farmers in Jammu and Kashmir also received this installment on October 7th.
These farmers will not receive the 21st installment
The eligibility criteria for becoming a beneficiary under the PM-KISAN scheme were revised in 2019. The government set the cutoff date as February 1, 2019. Farmers who purchase new land or transfer it to their name after this date will not receive PM-KISAN benefits for the next five years. However, this rule will not apply if the land is inherited. The government has clarified that farmers whose eKYC is incomplete or whose bank accounts are not linked to Aadhaar will not be paid the 21st installment. eKYC is mandatory to receive this benefit.
Easy way to complete eKYC for PM Kisan
Farmers can complete OTP-based eKYC by visiting the official website pmkisan.gov.in. Alternatively, they can also complete biometric eKYC by visiting the nearest Common Service Center (CSC). eKYC is also available through face authentication via the mobile app.
How to check your installment status
Checking your installment status is very easy. Farmers can visit the official PM-KISAN website and click on the ‘Beneficiary Status’ option. Then, enter your Aadhaar number or bank account number and click ‘Get Data’. Your installment status will be immediately displayed on the screen. The PM Kisan Yojana was launched in February 2019, providing financial assistance of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each directly into their bank accounts. The 20th installment was released in August 2025, benefiting more than 8.5 crore farmers.