The PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a flagship pension scheme for small and marginal farmers launched by the Government of India. Officially introduced on 12th September 2019, the scheme aims to provide social security to farmers in their old age. It offers an assured monthly pension of ₹3,000 to eligible farmers after the age of 60, helping them live a financially secure and independent life post-retirement.
With over 12 crore farmers in India, most of whom are small landholders, this scheme is a significant step toward uplifting rural India and ensuring financial inclusion.
Key Features of PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana
- Monthly Pension: ₹3,000 per month after 60 years of age.
- Voluntary Contribution: Farmers can contribute a small amount monthly depending on their age.
- Equal Government Contribution: Central government contributes the same amount as the farmer.
- Managed by LIC: Life Insurance Corporation of India is the nodal agency responsible for managing the pension fund.
- Family Pension: After the death of the beneficiary, the spouse gets 50% of the pension amount as family pension.
Who is Eligible for PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?
To ensure the scheme benefits the right section of society, there are clear eligibility criteria:
Basic Eligibility:
- Must be a small or marginal farmer (owning up to 2 hectares of cultivable land).
- Age should be between 18 to 40 years at the time of enrollment.
- The applicant should not be covered under any other pension scheme like:
- Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
- National Pension Scheme (NPS)
- Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)
Exclusions:
- Institutional landholders
- Income tax payers
- Government employees or pensioners
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana Contribution Chart
The monthly contribution amount depends on the age of the applicant at the time of joining the scheme. Here’s a quick chart for reference:
| Entry Age | Monthly Contribution | Government Contribution | Total Contribution per Month |
| 18 years | ₹55 | ₹55 | ₹110 |
| 25 years | ₹80 | ₹80 | ₹160 |
| 30 years | ₹100 | ₹100 | ₹200 |
| 35 years | ₹150 | ₹150 | ₹300 |
| 40 years | ₹200 | ₹200 | ₹400 |
The contributions continue until the farmer reaches 60 years, after which they start receiving the monthly pension.
Benefits of PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana
1. Financial Security in Old Age
Small and marginal farmers often have no fixed income post-retirement. This scheme provides a steady source of income, promoting financial independence.
2. Equal Government Contribution
The government matches the farmer’s contribution, doubling the amount invested into the pension fund.
3. Family Support After Death
If the beneficiary passes away after pension starts, the spouse continues to receive 50% of the pension as family pension.
4. Voluntary and Flexible
Farmers can choose to exit the scheme before 60 years of age. In such cases, their contributions along with interest will be refunded.
5. Safe and Reliable
The scheme is managed by LIC, which ensures security and transparency of the pension fund.
How to Register for PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana Online and Offline
Offline Registration Process:
- Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
- Provide Aadhaar card, landholding certificate, bank account passbook, and mobile number.
- Complete biometric authentication.
- Choose monthly contribution amount based on your age.
- Get your Maandhan Pension Card with a unique Pension ID.
Online Registration Process:
- Visit the official Maandhan portal: https://maandhan.in
- Choose “Self Enrollment” and select “PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana”.
- Enter your mobile number and Aadhaar details.
- Verify your identity using OTP.
- Fill the form with landholding details and bank information.
- Choose your monthly contribution.
- Submit the form and download the acknowledgement receipt.
Integration with PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
The PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana is closely linked with the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN). Farmers who are already receiving benefits under PM-KISAN can easily opt into PM-KMY. Their monthly pension contributions can be auto-debited from PM-KISAN payments, making it easier to enroll without financial burden.
Important Documents Required
To register for PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana, the following documents are required:
- Aadhaar Card
- Land Ownership Proof (e.g., Khasra-Khatauni or land records)
- Bank Passbook
- Mobile Number
- Photograph
Exit and Withdrawal Options
The scheme offers flexible exit policies for participants:
- Exit Before Age 60: The entire contribution along with interest will be returned.
- Death Before Age 60: Spouse can continue or claim withdrawal.
- Death After Pension Starts: Spouse will receive 50% pension as family pension.
- Death of Both: The pension fund is closed.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite its benefits, the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana faces several challenges:
- Low Awareness: Many farmers are unaware of the scheme or its benefits.
- Complex Landholding Verification: In some states, getting land records is difficult.
- Digital Illiteracy: Older farmers struggle with online registrations.
- Low Enrollment Rates: As of recent reports, enrollment is lower than expected.
Government’s Efforts to Boost Enrollment
To address these challenges, the government has taken several initiatives:
- Promoting the scheme via Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Gram Panchayats, and Common Service Centres.
- Integration with PM-KISAN scheme to ease enrollment.
- Conducting awareness drives and workshops in rural areas.
- Simplifying the documentation process and training CSC staff.
Conclusion
The PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a visionary scheme that holds the potential to transform the lives of small and marginal farmers in India. By ensuring an assured pension in old age, the scheme addresses one of the most pressing issues faced by the rural farming community — financial insecurity after retirement.
However, for it to succeed at scale, greater awareness, easier registration processes, and active participation are essential. If implemented effectively, this scheme can pave the way for a socially secure and economically empowered rural India.
FAQs on PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana
Q1. What is the minimum and maximum age to join PM-KMY?
Ans: Farmers between 18 to 40 years can join the scheme.
Q2. Can both husband and wife join the scheme?
Ans: Yes, both can enroll separately and receive separate pensions.
Q3. Is there any penalty for missing monthly contributions?
Ans: The farmer must pay the pending amount with interest. Repeated failure may lead to automatic exit.
Q4. Can I rejoin the scheme after exiting once?
Ans: Yes, rejoining is possible by restarting contributions, subject to age and rules.