World · India Bureau
Farmers await delayed 24th instalment of PM Kisan scheme as October wanes
The 24th tranche of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme remains pending as agricultural households await the crucial fund disbursement. The delay comes at a critical juncture for rabi crop cultivation, with smallholder farmers relying on the assistance for seed, fertiliser and other essential inputs.
LSN India ·
Farmers across India continue to await the 24th instalment of the Prime Minister's flagship agricultural support scheme as October draws to a close, with no confirmed disbursement date announced by authorities.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme, eligible farmers are entitled to receive ₹2,000 per tranche, typically distributed at regular intervals throughout the financial year. The pending 24th instalment assumes particular significance for rural households preparing for the rabi season, the winter-sown crop cycle that typically begins in October and November across much of the subcontinent.
For smallholder farmers, the scheme provides critical financial breathing room during the planting phase, enabling them to purchase seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural inputs without additional debt burden. Agricultural economists note that timely disbursement of such support proves essential to maintaining rural liquidity during peak planting seasons.
While the precise reasons for the delay remain unclear, government officials have not issued a formal statement regarding the disbursement timeline. Farmer organisations have begun raising concerns about the extended wait, warning that further postponement could disrupt planting schedules and crop productivity in the coming season.
The scheme, which aims to provide direct income support to eligible farming families, has become a cornerstone of India's rural welfare architecture since its launch in 2019.