PM Kisan Increase: There is growing demand to increase the PM-Kisan scheme amount from ₹6,000 in Budget 2026. While the government has not yet confirmed this, the Finance Minister is expected to make a major announcement on February 1st.

PM-KISAN payout increase Budget 2026 expectations: Crores of farmers of the country have high hopes from the Union Budget to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026. Speculations are rife, especially regarding the increase in the annual amount of ₹6,000 given under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. In view of rising inflation and increasing cost of farming, farmers' organizations have been demanding to double this Samman Nidhi for a long time. Although the government has not yet given any official approval on this, but this issue remains at the top in the pre-budget discussions.

Growing expectations and speculation

Ahead of the February 2026 budget, there is a growing buzz among media reports and experts that the government may increase the PM-KISAN amount. Speculation is rife that this annual financial assistance of ₹6,000 could be increased to ₹8,000, ₹10,000, or even ₹12,000 per year. If this happens, the ₹2,000 installments received by farmers every four months would increase to ₹3,000 or ₹4,000.

Recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee

In December 2024, a parliamentary standing committee proposed doubling the Samman Nidhi to meet the financial needs of farmers . The proposal was based on the rising prices of fertilizers, seeds, and diesel for agriculture, as a way to protect small farmers from debt. However, in response to a parliamentary question in December 2025, the Minister of State for Agriculture stated that no such official proposal was currently under consideration.

Inflation and agricultural costs

Farmers argue that the cost of agricultural inputs has risen significantly since the scheme was launched in 2019. With the surge in prices of labor, fertilizers, and pesticides, the ₹6,000 amount no longer seems sufficient. Putting more cash into the hands of farmers could also be a better option for the government to boost the rural economy.

Government’s financial math

The previous budget for 2025-26 allocated approximately ₹63,500 crore for the PM-KISAN scheme, a figure that has remained largely unchanged for the past two years. If the government increases the amount of the Samman Nidhi, it would require a significant increase in budget allocation, which could put pressure on the fiscal deficit. The government will have to decide whether to increase direct cash transfers or spend more on agricultural infrastructure and irrigation projects.

Waiting for February 1st

Farmers' eyes are now fixed on February 1, 2026, when the Finance Minister will open her purse strings and make new announcements for rural India. The 19th installment was released on February 24, 2025, and now the budget announcements before the 22nd installment will determine the future of farmers. Whether the government will actually increase the cash amount or provide relief to farmers through other subsidies will only become clear after the budget speech.

 PC:NBT