The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) provides an old-age social security option for eligible small and marginal farmers. The scheme offers a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month after the age of 60.
Farmers must join the scheme between the ages of 18 and 40. They then make monthly contributions until they reach 60. The Central Government makes an equal matching contribution to the pension fund.
The government launched PM-KMY in 2019. According to official data, more than 24.96 lakh farmers had enrolled in the scheme by February 2026.
What Is PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?
PM-KMY is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers. It aims to provide financial security during old age.
Eligible farmers contribute a fixed amount every month. The contribution depends on their age when they join the scheme.
The government deposits an equal amount into the farmer’s pension account. The Life Insurance Corporation of India manages the pension fund.
Once the subscriber reaches 60, the scheme provides a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 every month, subject to the scheme’s eligibility and exclusion conditions.
Who Can Join the Scheme?
Farmers must meet specific conditions to enrol in PM-KMY.
The scheme covers small and marginal farmers with cultivable land holdings of up to two hectares, according to the relevant state or Union Territory land records.
The entry age ranges from 18 to 40 years. Farmers outside this age bracket cannot newly enrol in the scheme.
The government also applies certain exclusion criteria. Therefore, meeting the landholding and age conditions alone does not automatically guarantee eligibility.
How Much Do Farmers Have to Contribute?
The monthly contribution depends on the farmer’s age at the time of enrolment.
Official information says the contribution ranges from ₹55 to ₹200 per month. Younger farmers generally pay a lower monthly contribution because they have a longer period before reaching 60.
The government matches the farmer’s contribution. This means the pension fund receives an equal contribution from the Centre for eligible subscribers.
The scheme therefore combines the farmer’s regular contribution with government support to build the pension benefit.
What Pension Does a Farmer Receive After 60?
A subscriber who completes the required contributions and reaches 60 receives a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month.
The pension is designed as an old-age social security benefit. It can provide a regular source of income after a farmer stops active agricultural work.
The scheme does not provide the pension immediately after enrolment. Farmers must join between 18 and 40 and contribute until they reach 60.
Family Pension Benefit
PM-KMY also includes a family pension provision.
If a subscriber dies while receiving the pension, the spouse can receive 50% of the pension as family pension. This means the spouse can receive ₹1,500 per month based on the ₹3,000 assured pension.
The family pension applies to the spouse and remains subject to the conditions of the scheme.
This provision adds another layer of social security for the subscriber’s family.
Farmers Can Use PM-KISAN Benefits for Contributions
Eligible farmers can also choose to use their PM-KISAN benefits to make voluntary contributions to PM-KMY.
Under this option, the farmer must submit the required enrolment and auto-debit mandate. The contribution can then be deducted from the bank account where the farmer receives PM-KISAN benefits.
This arrangement can make regular contributions easier for eligible subscribers who already receive PM-KISAN assistance.
However, PM-KISAN and PM-KMY remain separate government schemes. PM-KISAN provides income support, while PM-KMY provides a pension benefit.
How the Scheme Supports Farmers in Old Age
Agricultural income can vary because of weather, crop prices and production conditions. Small and marginal farmers can face additional financial challenges during their later years.
PM-KMY seeks to address part of this problem through a regular pension.
The scheme gives eligible farmers a structured way to build an old-age pension. Government matching contributions also reduce the farmer’s individual contribution burden.
The scheme forms part of the government’s wider social-security framework for farmers.
More Than 24.9 Lakh Farmers Enrolled
The scheme has continued to attract farmers since its launch.
According to a government update issued in September 2026, more than 24.96 lakh farmers had enrolled in PM-KMY as of February 2026.
A separate government document reported around 24.95 lakh enrolments as of February 2026. The figures show that nearly 25 lakh farmers had joined the pension scheme by that period.
The government has continued to highlight PM-KMY as an instrument for strengthening social security among small and marginal farmers.
PM-KMY and Farmer Welfare
PM-KMY forms one part of India’s broader farmer welfare framework.
Other programmes provide income support, crop insurance, credit, irrigation and other forms of assistance. PM-KMY focuses specifically on old-age pension support.
Its structure encourages farmers to contribute during their working years. The government then provides an equal contribution and assures a minimum pension after 60, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
What Farmers Should Know Before Enrolling
Farmers interested in PM-KMY should first check their eligibility. They should confirm their age, landholding details and whether any exclusion criteria apply to them.
The monthly contribution also depends on the age at which they enrol. Farmers should understand the contribution requirement and pension conditions before joining.
The scheme is voluntary. Regular contributions are important for maintaining the pension account and receiving the benefits under the scheme.
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana Offers Long-Term Security
The PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana provides eligible small and marginal farmers with a pension-based social security option.
Farmers who enrol between 18 and 40 contribute monthly until they reach 60. The government matches their contributions.
After reaching 60, eligible subscribers receive a minimum assured pension of ₹3,000 per month. The scheme also provides a family pension provision for eligible spouses.
With nearly 25 lakh farmers enrolled by February 2026, PM-KMY continues to form part of the government’s efforts to strengthen old-age financial security among small and marginal farmers.