Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a scheme under the government of India providing financial security to small and marginal farmers at their old age. This scheme came into effect on 12th Sep 2019 and is meant to provide social security to farmers with no means of livelihood or minimal or no savings during their old age.

Here is a detailed discourse on PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PMKMDY), eligibility, beneficiaries, the application process, and other related details.

PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana covers farmers possessing land up to 2 hectares in the age group 18-40 years with a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month. After attaining the age of 60 years, a beneficiary will receive the pension amount. This amount will get directly deposited in the beneficiary’s bank account. On death or demise of a farmer, their spouse will receive a pension. Only, a spouse of a farmer is eligible to avail of this benefit.

The need for this scheme lies in the fact that it provides security to the lives of 5 crore marginal and small farmers by offering this minimum pension amount. Adding to this, about 3 crore small traders are among the beneficiaries of this scheme.

According to PM, Mr Narendra Modi, more than 21,000 crore have been credited into bank accounts of 6.5 crore farmer families falling under the above mentioned category.

He further stated – “Development is our priority as well as commitment. Our government is trying to provide a shield of social security to every Indian.” As stated by the PM, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is needed to develop the impoverished and underprivileged farmers in India.

This section will share in-depth information about the Kisan Maandhan Yojana benefits and its features. Please check the same below.

Features of PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana

• Life Insurance Corporation of India manages the PM Maandhan Yojana pension payout.
• Farmers within the age group 18 – 40 years fall under this scheme.
• It is a voluntary and a contributory pension scheme.
• The Central Government makes a matching contribution (similar to that of a farmer).
• In case of death or demise of an applicant before the retirement age, their spouse will continue to receive benefits by contributing till 60 years of the deceased.
• The spouse will get 50% of the pension as Family Pension in such a case.
• A farmer can pay contributions by registering through Common Service Centres or CSCs under MeitY.
• LIC or Life Insurance Corporation of India manages pension payout.

Mentioned below are some of the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana.

1. Benefits to the Family After an Eligible Farmer’s Death: Upon receiving a pension, on the death of an eligible farmer, the spouse will avail of 50% of the pension benefits. Also, a spouse will receive interest from this scheme or a savings bank interest, whichever is more. Only the spouse of an eligible farmer is liable to receive such benefits. Also, it is possible to exit from this scheme after the demise of an eligible farmer.

2. Disablement Benefits: Another critical benefit of this scheme is that a spouse of a beneficiary can receive the benefits under this scheme if the beneficiary becomes disabled permanently due to any reason before attaining 60 years. The spouses can also make contributions or exit from this scheme in case their beneficiaries are unable to make further contributions.

On exit from this scheme, the spouses of farmers will receive all the contributions made so far. In addition, they also receive an interest earned from this scheme or at an interest rate similar to that of current bank rate (Savings Scheme), whichever is higher.

3. Benefits After Exiting the Pension Scheme: If eligible farmers exit this Kisan Maandhan Yojana before ten years from joining this scheme, their contribution will get credited to their savings bank account along with the savings bank interest rate.

In case of exiting this scheme after completing 10 years from joining this scheme but before 60 years of age, eligible subscribers will receive their entire accumulated contribution amount. In addition, they will receive an interest earned from this scheme or a savings bank interest rate, whichever is higher.

Finally, in case of death of a farmer and their spouse, an accumulated fund corpus will get credited back to the fund.

• Farmers belonging to higher income status do not receive benefits from PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana.
• Any citizens or institutional landholders holding any constitutional posts.
• A beneficiary under this scheme must not have filed an income tax assessment last year.
• Anybody who paid income tax in the previous assessment year.
• Also, farmers belonging to professions like – Architect, Chartered Accountants, etc., or registered with various professional bodies.

Eligible applicants can apply both in online and offline mode, as mentioned here.

Online Steps to Register for Kisan Maandhan Yojana

1. Beneficiaries can visit Maandhan portal or the website of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana and select “Click Here to Apply Now”.
2. After that, a window will appear with two options – Self Enrollment and CSC VLE. Please go ahead with the following process if you choose CSC VLE.
3. Click on the self-enrollment option. Now, beneficiaries must use their name, contact number, email id, and OTP to proceed next
4. Next, four schemes will appear. An applicant must click enrolment option and select PMKMY scheme.
5. Now, a PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana online registration form will appear on screen. Applicants must fill in all the details as per the form. They must check all details before finally clicking on ‘Submit’.

Offline Steps to Register for Kisan Maandhan Yojana

Eligible farmers can enrol themselves at the nearest CSC or Common Service Centre.

• To enrol under this scheme, applicants must keep these documents ready.
  • Savings Bank Account Number with IFSC Code (Cheque or copy of bank statement or bank passbook).
  • Aadhaar Card
• Then, payment of initial contribution amount in cash will be made to the VLE or Village Level Entrepreneur. A VLE will take into account the applicant’s name, aadhaar number, and DOB (date of birth) as mentioned on aadhaar card for authentication purposes.
• Then, a VLE will complete the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana online registration by filling up the details like – contact number, email address, bank account details, and spouse details (if any).
• The system will calculate monthly payable contributions automatically as per a subscriber’s age. Applicants will pay the 1st subscription amount in cash to the VLE.
• Now, an Enrolment cum Auto Debit mandate form will get printed. Eligible applicants must sign this form.
• VLE will scan this form and upload this on the system.

Finally, a unique KPAN or Kisan Pension Account Number will be generated, and a Kisan Card will get printed.

• Residential proofs like aadhaar card, voter id or ration card
• BPL certificate
• Age proof
• Farmer’s registration certificate
• Valid land documents
• Bank details

To check application status, subscribers can visit either of these two sites - www.maandhan.in  or www.pmkmy.gov.in. They can also reach out to appropriate authority via 1800 3000 3468 or support@csc.gov.in.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is social security scheme for underprivileged farmers in India and aims to work for their upliftment for a good and secured life.