PM Kisan mobile app with face authentication feature launched today

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar, has launched the PM Kisan mobile app with a face authentication feature, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

The app aims to resolve difficulties related to Aadhaar verification and updating bank account details on the PM Kisan Portal through effective use of digital public goods. Through the app, farmers can complete electronic ‘know your customer’ (e-KYC) processes remotely by scanning their face. This eliminated the need for one time passwords (OTPs) or fingerprint verification.

Furthermore, the app enables farmers to assist up to 100 other farmers in completing their e-KYC from home. The government has extended the e-KYC ability to state government officers, enabling them to complete the process for up to 500 farmers.

The department has also collaborated with India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) to open Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for beneficiaries and urged Common Service Centers (CSCs) to organise village-level e-KYC camps with the help of states and union territories.

During the launch event held at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, thousands of farmers, government officials, and representatives of agricultural organisations were virtually connected.

In his address, Tomar stated that the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which provides income support to farmers, has allowed around 85 million farmers to receive scheme instalments after completing their KYC. This platform also provides complete data to the central and state governments, ensuring smooth data verification for farmer benefits.

Tomar also urged all state governments to expedite the process to reach all eligible beneficiaries and achieve the set targets.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Kailash Choudhary, expressed that the agriculture sector is benefiting from technology, and the new app will provide added convenience to farmers.

As stated by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the PM Kisan scheme is one of the world's largest direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes, where farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts in three instalments. Over 110 million farmers, including more than 30 million women, have received a total of Rs 2.42 trillion through the scheme.

The PM Kisan mobile app is available for download on the Google play store. It provides important information about the scheme and PM Kisan accounts, including land seeding status, Aadhaar linking with bank accounts, and e-KYC using the no-user status module.