PM Kisan Samman Nidhi - How to Apply, Check Status & Fix Errors
Practical guide for PM Kisan Yojana covering new registration, eKYC, installment status check, and how to fix common problems like payment failures and name mismatches.
What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, commonly called PM Kisan, is one of the most important government schemes for farmers in India. Under this scheme, eligible farmer families receive Rs. 6,000 per year in three installments of Rs. 2,000 each, directly deposited into their bank accounts. The scheme was launched in February 2019 and has since benefited over 11 crore farmer families across the country.
What makes PM Kisan different from many other government schemes is that the money goes directly to the farmer's bank account — there are no middlemen, no agents, and no commissions. If you are a farmer or someone in your family is, this guide will help you register, check your payment status, complete eKYC, and fix common problems.
For a broader overview of the scheme, you can also read our complete PM Kisan Yojana guide.
How to Apply
There are three ways to register for PM Kisan. Choose the one that works best for you.
Method 1: Online Registration (Self)
This is the fastest way to apply if you have internet access and basic smartphone or computer skills.
- Open your browser and go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click on "New Farmer Registration" on the homepage
- Select "Rural Farmer Registration" or "Urban Farmer Registration" based on your area
- Enter your Aadhaar number and select your state
- Enter the CAPTCHA code and click "Search"
- If you are not already registered, you will see the registration form
- Fill in your name (exactly as on Aadhaar), gender, category (SC/ST/General/OBC)
- Enter your bank account number, IFSC code, and confirm the account number
- Enter your land details — survey number, Khasra number, Khata number, and the area of land in hectares
- Upload your Aadhaar card and land documents if required by your state
- Submit the form and note down the registration reference number
Method 2: Through Common Service Centre (CSC)
If you find the online process difficult, visit your nearest CSC:
- Find a Common Service Centre in your village or nearby town
- Carry your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, and land documents (Khatauni/Khasra)
- Tell the CSC operator you want to register for PM Kisan
- The operator will fill the form on your behalf and take your biometric verification (fingerprint)
- You will get a registration slip — keep it safe
CSC charges: The CSC may charge a nominal service fee of Rs. 10-30 for the registration. This is not an official fee but is allowed for the operator's service.
Method 3: Offline Through Patwari or Agriculture Office
In some states, the local Patwari or Lekhpal collects farmer details and submits them to the block agriculture office:
- Contact your village Pradhan, Patwari, or Block Agriculture Officer
- Submit copies of your Aadhaar card, bank passbook, and land documents
- The official will add your details to the PM Kisan database
- You can check your registration status online after 2-3 weeks
How to Complete eKYC
eKYC is mandatory for all PM Kisan beneficiaries. Without it, your installments will stop. Here is how to do it:
Online eKYC (OTP-Based)
- Go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click on "eKYC" in the top menu bar
- Enter your Aadhaar number and click "Search"
- Your name and registration details will appear
- Click "Get OTP" — an OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Enter the OTP and click "Submit"
- Your eKYC is now complete. You will see a confirmation message
Important: This method only works if your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar. If it is not, you will need biometric eKYC.
Biometric eKYC (at CSC)
- Visit your nearest Common Service Centre
- Carry your Aadhaar card
- The CSC operator will use a biometric device to scan your fingerprint
- Your fingerprint will be matched with your Aadhaar database
- Once verified, your eKYC is complete
Biometric eKYC is the backup option when OTP-based eKYC fails. It is also more secure since it uses your fingerprint directly.
How to Check PM Kisan Payment Status
Method 1: Beneficiary Status on the Website
- Visit pmkisan.gov.in
- Click on "Beneficiary Status"
- Enter your Aadhaar number, account number, or mobile number
- Click "Get Data"
- You will see a table showing all installments with dates and amounts
Method 2: Through the PM Kisan Mobile App
- Download the PM Kisan Mobile App from Google Play Store
- Open the app and tap "Check Beneficiary Status"
- Enter your Aadhaar number or mobile number
- Your installment history will be displayed
Method 3: Helpline Number
Call the PM Kisan helpline at 155261 or 011-24300606 (Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM).
Understanding Status Terms
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FTO is Generated and Payment confirmed | Payment successful, money has been sent to your bank |
| Rft Signed by State | State has approved your payment, waiting for central processing |
| Pending for approval at State/District | Your details are under verification at the state or district level |
| Aadhaar Authentication Failed | Your Aadhaar number does not match bank records |
| Account Number / IFSC Incorrect | Your bank details in PM Kisan records are wrong |
How to Fix Common Errors
Error 1: Aadhaar Authentication Failed
Cause: Your name in Aadhaar does not match the name in PM Kisan records, or your Aadhaar is not seeded with your bank account.
Fix: Visit your bank and get Aadhaar seeding done. Make sure the name in your bank account, Aadhaar card, and PM Kisan registration are all the same. If there is a spelling difference, get it corrected at the Aadhaar centre first.
Error 2: Bank Account Validation Failed
Cause: Incorrect account number, wrong IFSC code, or closed bank account.
Fix: Log in to pmkisan.gov.in, go to "Updation of Self Registered Farmer", and update your bank details. If the account is closed, open a new one and update the details. Make sure the IFSC code matches your specific branch.
Error 3: Payment Status Shows Pending for Months
Cause: Your state government has not verified your land records yet, or there is a data mismatch.
Fix: Contact your Block Agriculture Officer or District Agriculture Officer. Ask them to check your record in the PM Kisan dashboard. They can approve pending applications or flag issues that need correction.
Error 4: Name Mismatch Between Documents
Cause: Your name is spelled differently in Aadhaar, bank account, and land records. For example, "Ram Prasad" in Aadhaar and "Ramprasad" in the bank.
Fix: Get the name corrected in whichever document has the error. It is easiest to correct the Aadhaar name (visit an Aadhaar centre) or the bank name (visit your bank branch with ID proof). All three should match exactly.
Error 5: Double Registration in Family
Cause: Both husband and wife registered separately, or a duplicate registration exists.
Fix: Only one member per family can be a beneficiary. If both have registered, the duplicate entry needs to be deleted. Contact your local agriculture office to remove the extra registration. The person whose name is on the land records should remain as the beneficiary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check my PM Kisan payment status online?
Visit pmkisan.gov.in, click on "Beneficiary Status" in the top menu, enter your Aadhaar number or account number or mobile number, and click "Get Data". You will see all your installment details including the amount, date, and status of each payment. The status will show as "FTO is Generated and Payment confirmed" if the payment was successful, or "Pending" if it is still being processed.
My PM Kisan payment failed. How do I fix it?
Payment failures usually happen because of incorrect bank details, inactive Aadhaar seeding, or incomplete eKYC. First, check if your bank account is linked to your Aadhaar (visit your bank for Aadhaar seeding). Then complete your eKYC on pmkisan.gov.in. If your name in Aadhaar does not match your bank records, get it corrected. After fixing the issue, your pending payment will be released in the next cycle automatically.
Can I register for PM Kisan without land in my name?
No, you generally cannot register if the land is not in your name. PM Kisan requires land ownership records that match the applicant's name. However, in some states, land can be in the joint name of family members. If the land is in your father's or spouse's name, the registration should be in their name, not yours. Check your state's specific rules, as some states have provisions for tenant farmers.
Is eKYC mandatory for PM Kisan beneficiaries?
Yes, eKYC is mandatory for all PM Kisan beneficiaries. Without completing eKYC, your installments will be held and you will not receive any new payments. You can complete eKYC online through the PM Kisan portal using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification, or you can visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) for biometric eKYC using fingerprint. Complete it as soon as possible to avoid payment delays.
I received PM Kisan money by mistake. What should I do?
If you received PM Kisan money despite being ineligible (for example, you are a government employee or income tax payer), you are required to return the amount. The government conducts periodic verification and ineligible beneficiaries are asked to refund the money. You can voluntarily return it through the "Refund Online" option on the PM Kisan portal, or contact your local agriculture office. Not returning the money can result in recovery proceedings.