Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

At a Glance

• Approved 1 July 2015
• Aim Har Khet Ko Pani, more crop per drop
• Ministries Jal Shakti, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development
• Outlay 2021-26 Rs 93,068 crore
• Type Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Schemes

Where Does It Fit?

This is the third topic of the macro on agriculture and farmer welfare. Water is the main input that insurance and credit cannot replace, and this scheme brings several earlier irrigation programmes under one roof. Its watershed part is discussed with a rural lens in Rurban Mission and Integrated Watershed Management Programme, and its loan window is in Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). Previous topic: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Next topic: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

What Are the Components of PMKSY?

How Is PMKSY Funded and Run?

• Original design: Approved on 1 July 2015 with an outlay of Rs 50,000 crore over five years, by merging the AIBP, the Integrated Watershed Management Programme, the On-Farm Water Management and parts of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
• 2021-26 phase: The Cabinet in December 2021 approved Rs 93,068 crore for 2021-26, with a central assistance of about Rs 37,454 crore and a state share, and also allowed states to borrow from NABARD for the scheme
• Micro Irrigation Fund: a fund set up with NABARD with a corpus of Rs 5,000 crore, later doubled to Rs 10,000 crore as reported, with a lower interest rate to help states cover the gap for micro irrigation
• Funding pattern: the Centre and states share costs in 60:40 for most states, 90:10 for the north-eastern and Himalayan states, with Union Territories fully funded
• Micro irrigation subsidy: a subsidy of about 55 per cent for small and marginal farmers and 45 per cent for others in the PDMC, as per guidelines
• District and State plans: each district and state prepares an irrigation plan to avoid overlaps and guide spending
• Monitoring: remote sensing, geotagging of works and the use of the National Remote Sensing Centre for tracking
• Status: The 2021-26 cycle ended in March 2026. As reported, no decision on a 2026-31 cycle of PMKSY had been found when this page was written, so check official notices

What Else Should You Remember?

• Full name: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, short form PMKSY, means the Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme
• Predecessors: The AIBP began in 1996-97 and old programmes such as the Command Area Development and Water Management were merged
• Naming: The phrase Har Khet Ko Pani means water to every field, and Per Drop More Crop is about water use efficiency
• Irrigation coverage: Only about half of India’s net sown area is irrigated, so a large part of farming remains rainfed
• Micro irrigation: Drip and sprinkler systems can save water and raise yields, but adoption is uneven. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka lead
• Groundwater: Rising use of tube wells has depleted groundwater, so the scheme also pushes for surface water and recharge
• Link with solar pumps: Solar pumps and feeder solarisation for farmers are covered by a separate scheme, as in PM-KUSUM Scheme (Solar Pumps for Farmers)
• Link with rural jobs: Watershed and water body work is done with wage labour under the rural job law, as in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
• Big projects: Several national projects such as Polavaram and Sardar Sarovar canal work have received funds under AIBP
• River linking: River linking is a separate national plan and not a part of PMKSY, though the Ken-Betwa project is sometimes discussed along with irrigation
• Criticism: Slow completion of big projects, low use of capacity created, poor maintenance of canals and uneven benefit between regions
• Way ahead: More focus on micro irrigation, command area development, farmer water user groups and water pricing

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

1. Components: AIBP, HKKP, PDMC and WDC
2. Ministries: three ministries run different parts
3. Approval and amount: 1 July 2015, Rs 50,000 crore; Rs 93,068 crore for 2021-26
4. Slogan: Har Khet Ko Pani and more crop per drop
5. Fund: Micro Irrigation Fund with NABARD

As an analytical point, India needs both more irrigation and better use of water. Large canal projects are slow, while micro irrigation saves water but is costly for small farmers. A mix with local water bodies, groundwater recharge and pricing reform is more sustainable.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Four parts Components asked often
• Water use Efficiency and coverage
• Status 2021-26 cycle ended

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the scheme that promotes organic farming in clusters. Next topic: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

Key People and Terms

• AIBP Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
• HKKP Har Khet Ko Pani
• PDMC Per Drop More Crop
• WDC Watershed Development Component
• Command area Area served by a canal
• Micro irrigation Drip and sprinkler

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions ask about water use efficiency and the role of irrigation in farm income. These points give a balanced frame.

• Merits Single umbrella, micro irrigation, completion of projects
• Demerits Slow projects, groundwater stress, maintenance gaps
• Way ahead Efficiency, recharge, water user groups