The Union Budget Session 2026 is set to begin on January 28, with the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the budget on February 1. The first phase of the session will run until February 13, after which Parliament will reconvene on March 9. The Budget session is scheduled to continue until April 2. This year, farmers have particularly high expectations from the Union Budget.
Big expectations for PM-KISAN scheme
Amid rising inflation and continuously increasing farming costs, rural India is closely watching the government’s next move. The discussion is particularly intense regarding the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, with speculation about whether the assistance provided to farmers will be increased this time. The biggest question is whether the government will raise the amount disbursed under the PM-KISAN scheme from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 in the budget.
Will payout increase to Rs 8,000?
Under the PM-Kisan scheme, eligible farmers receive an annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000, which is transferred directly to their bank accounts in three equal installments. However, in the current circumstances, farmer organisations and agricultural experts believe that this amount is no longer sufficient. Therefore, there is a growing demand to increase this amount to Rs 8,000 per year in the 2026 budget.
Why there is a need to increase the amount?
In recent years, the cost of farming has increased sharply. Seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, electricity, irrigation, and agricultural machinery, everything has become expensive. In this situation, it has become difficult for marginal and small farmers to manage their annual expenses with just Rs. 6,000 in assistance. If the government increases the amount under this scheme, it will not only allow farmers to invest in farming but also reduce their dependence on loans to some extent.
PM-Kisan Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme was launched in December 2018. Its objective is to provide minimum income support to small and marginal farmers. Millions of farmers have already benefited from this scheme, and payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Currently, there has been no official indication from the government, but expectations have certainly risen. If an increase in the PM Kisan scheme amount is announced in the 2026 budget, it could prove to be a significant relief for farmers amid the rising prices.
