PM KISAN SCHEME

Why in News?

Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched AI Chatbot for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at New Delhi. The AI Chatbot launch marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, and also providing farmers prompt, clear, and accurate responses to their queries.

It has been developed and improved with the support of EKstep foundation and Bhashini. The introduction of the AI chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform. In its first phase of development, the AI chatbot will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates. The AI Chatbot, accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, is integrated with Bhashini, which offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic and regional diversity of the PM KISAN beneficiaries. This integration of advanced technology will not only enhance transparency but will also empower farmers to make informed decisions.

What is PM KISAN SCHEME?

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 to support the financial needs of landholding farmers in India. The scheme offers an annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- in three equal instalments to eligible farmers’ families through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Since its inception, over Rs. 2.61 Lakhs Crores disbursed to more than 11 Crore farmers so far, it stands as one of the largest DBT schemes globally. The PM-KISAN scheme has played a vital role in providing income support to landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land. The scheme’s direct benefit transfer has ensured timely financial assistance to millions of farmers, including women beneficiaries, contributing to their socioeconomic well-being.

Government of India has also developed a mobile app with the feature of face authentication-based e-KYC. This app is first mobile app that use face authentication-based e-KYC feature in any benefit scheme of the Government. This Mobile App is very easy to use and is easily available for download on Google Play store. This app is a wonderful example of modern technology, through which, now the farmer can complete his e-KYC sitting at home even in remote areas of the country without any OTP or fingerprint, just by scanning his face.