Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and timely irrigation is one of the biggest factors that decides whether a farmer's hard work turns into a good harvest. With rising water scarcity and uneven rainfall, the need for proper irrigation has become more important than ever. To support farmers and ensure that no farm is left dry, the Government of India launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) — a flagship scheme that aims to bring water to every farm, improve water-use efficiency, and promote modern micro-irrigation techniques.
In this complete guide, we will walk you through the PMKSY scheme — its objectives, components, eligibility, subsidy structure, application process, and the latest 2026 updates.
What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), launched on 1 July 2015, is a national level flagship government scheme aimed at ensuring water security and sustainable irrigation for Indian farmers. Its main goal is to expand irrigation coverage, prevent water wastage, and improve overall water-use efficiency in agriculture.
The scheme operates under the well-known vision of "Har Khet Ko Pani" (Water to Every Farm) and "Per Drop More Crop". It encourages farmers to adopt modern irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems to conserve water and boost crop productivity.
With its multi-component approach, PMKSY aims to transform Indian agriculture by reducing farmers' dependency on monsoon rains and ensuring year-round water availability for every farm.
Objective of PMKSY
The main objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana are:
- Convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level under a single umbrella
- Expanding cultivable area under assured irrigation ("Har Khet Ko Pani")
- Improving on-farm water-use efficiency through precision irrigation (drip + sprinkler)
- Promoting micro-irrigation in water-intensive crops like sugarcane and cotton, and in water-scarce areas
- Encouraging groundwater recharge and sustainable water conservation through watershed development
- Attracting private investment in precision irrigation systems
- Reusing treated municipal wastewater for peri-urban agriculture
- Enabling fertigation through micro-irrigation systems for better fertilizer use
- Generating employment in installation, maintenance, and management of micro-irrigation systems
PMKSY Components
The PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana is implemented through four major components — each focused on a different aspect of irrigation and water management.
1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)
Purpose: Speed up completion of pending major and medium irrigation projects across the country.
- Implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Focuses on canal-based irrigation projects
- Includes Command Area Development (CAD) and Water Management (WM)
- Central grants released: ₹18,727 crore (2016–2023)
2. Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP)
Purpose: Provide assured irrigation to every farm, known as "Water to Every Field".
This component has 4 sub-components:
- Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM) — Improving water utilisation in canal command areas
- Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) — Small-scale irrigation projects with command area up to 2,000 hectares
- Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies — Restoring ponds, tanks, and traditional water structures
- Ground Water Development (GW) — Only for ongoing works (approval extended)
3. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
Purpose: Promote micro-irrigation (drip & sprinkler) to save water and improve crop yield.
- Implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Subsidy: 55% for small/marginal farmers, 45% for other farmers
- Major component for individual farmers — covers drip + sprinkler systems
- Now implemented as a separate scheme from PMKSY since 2022
4. Watershed Development Component (WDC)
Purpose: Develop rainfed areas through watershed projects, soil conservation, and water harvesting.
- Implemented by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development
- Includes soil and moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, and natural resource management
- Convergence with MGNREGA for labour-intensive work
Benefits of PMKSY for Farmers
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana offers a wide range of benefits to farmers across the country:
- Financial assistance for micro-irrigation installation — Farmers receive subsidy support for setting up irrigation components like drip and sprinkler systems. All water sources connected to these systems must be linked with micro-irrigation to ensure efficient water use.
- Drip or sprinkler irrigation in a farmer's field — The scheme covers installation of drip and sprinkler systems on the farmer's land for selected crops, helping save water and boost yield.
- Choice of installation — Farmers can install the system themselves or get it done through any approved micro-irrigation company listed by the state agriculture department.
- Subsidy structure — Under PMKSY, small and marginal farmers receive 55% subsidy, while other farmers receive 45% subsidy on micro-irrigation systems. The cost is shared between the Centre and State in a 60:40 ratio for general states, 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% Central funding for Union Territories.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) — The subsidy amount is credited directly to the farmer's bank account through DBT, ensuring full transparency and no middleman.
- Additional benefits under "Per Drop More Crop" — Farmers can also avail support for water harvesting structures (individual or community level), water-lifting devices, conveyance pipes, and farm pond construction under the "Other Interventions" component of the scheme.
PMKSY Scheme Eligibility Criteria 2026
To apply for the PMKSY scheme, farmers must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Who Can Apply
- All farmers in States and Union Territories of India
- Farmers with cultivable land in their name (as per state land records)
- Small and marginal farmers (up to 2 hectares) — eligible for 55% subsidy
- Other farmers (above 2 hectares) — eligible for 45% subsidy
- SC/ST farmers (additional state-level top-up may apply)
- Women farmers
- Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Cooperatives and Trusts engaged in farming
Key Conditions
- The farmer must have an assured water source — well, borewell, pond, or canal connection
- The land must be in the farmer's name in revenue records
- One farmer can avail the subsidy only once for the same crop area (in 7 years)
- The farmer must agree to maintain the installed system for at least 5 years
Documents Required for PMKSY Registration
Keep these documents ready before applying for PMKSY online registration:
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
- Land Records — Khasra, Khatauni, 7/12 extract
- Bank Passbook with IFSC code
- Passport-size Photograph
- Caste Certificate (for SC/ST applicants)
- Water Source Proof — borewell, well, or canal connection certificate
- Soil Health Card (if available)
- Quotation from Authorised Supplier for drip/sprinkler system
- Mobile Number linked to Aadhaar
How to Apply for PMKSY Scheme
Farmers can apply for the PMKSY scheme in 4 ways. Pick whichever is most convenient.
Method 1: Online via PMKSY Portal (pmksy.gov.in)
- Visit pmksy.gov.in
- Click on "Farmer Registration"
- Enter your name, mobile number, and email ID
- Verify with OTP and log in
- Fill the application form with land, bank, and crop details
- Upload documents and submit
- Note your reference number for status tracking
Method 2: Through Your State Agriculture Portal
Each state has its own PMKSY portal. Examples:
- Maharashtra: mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
- Karnataka: raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in
- Gujarat: ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in
- Madhya Pradesh: mpfsts.mp.gov.in
- Rajasthan: rajkisan.rajasthan.gov.in
Method 3: Through Your District / Block Agriculture Office
- Visit your District or Block Agriculture Office
- Collect the PMKSY application form
- Fill it, attach documents, and submit
- Collect the acknowledgement receipt
Method 4: Through a Common Service Centre (CSC)
- Visit your nearest CSC
- Ask the operator to apply for PMKSY
- Operator fills the form online
- Pay a small service fee
How to Check PMKSY Application Status
After applying, you can check your application status online.
Steps for PMKSY Scheme Status Check
- Visit your state's agriculture portal (where you applied)
- Click on "Application Status" or "Track Status"
- Enter your application reference number or Aadhaar number
- Click "Submit"
- Your current status will appear — Pending, Under Verification, Approved, or Rejected
Important: Save your application reference number in your phone. Without it, you cannot track your application or claim the subsidy later.
