A big change has come to the fields of West Bengal this year, and it will reach every farmer’s home. The scheme that has been the biggest support for farmers for the last seven years has changed its name, its rules have changed, and the money it pays has changed too. Many farmers are still searching by the old name, and that is why they are getting wrong information. Some say ten thousand rupees a year will come, some say nine thousand, and some even say the first instalment has already arrived.
This guide clears up that confusion. First you will learn what the old scheme’s new name is and when and how the change happened. Then comes the full money calculation – who gets how much, how the two-part assistance works, and who received the first instalment. After that come the eligibility rules, who is kept out of the scheme, how to check your instalment status online, and how new farmers can apply – all in one place. At the end you will find answers to the questions farmers ask most.
One thing must be made clear at the start. Every date, amount and rule in this guide is taken from the official notification of the West Bengal Agriculture Department and from government announcements. Where information is still incomplete, we have written clearly that it has not been decided yet. Do not trust a guessed date from a video or a blog – when the money will come can only be known from the official portal and your bank account.
Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026: Key Facts at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi (MKSN) |
| Old name | Krishak Bandhu (Natun) Scheme |
| State | West Bengal |
| Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal |
| Notification | No. 1128-AG/O/9M(Nab)-56/2026, dated 29 October 2026 |
| Cabinet approval | 21 October 2026 (Cabinet Resolution No. 309) |
| First instalment released | 5 November 2026, from Pursurah (Hooghly) – Rs 2,000 to more than 46 lakh farmers |
| Annual assistance (Component 1) | Rs 6,000 for 40 decimals or more land; Rs 4,000 for less land |
| Annual assistance (Component 2) | Extra Rs 3,000 a year from the state for PM-KISAN beneficiaries |
| Total assistance (PM-KISAN farmer) | Rs 9,000 a year (Rs 6,000 from the Centre + Rs 3,000 from the state) |
| Payment method | DBT – directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Official portal | krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in |
| Application (new farmers) | At the Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office of your block |
Why Was Krishak Bandhu Renamed?
The Krishak Bandhu scheme started on 1 January 2019. On 17 June 2021 it was relaunched as Krishak Bandhu (Natun), and since then it has been the biggest state scheme for West Bengal’s farmers. Under the old scheme, a farmer with one acre or more of land received Rs 10,000 a year – Rs 5,000 in Kharif and Rs 5,000 in Rabi. The family also received a Rs 2 lakh death benefit.
On 28 October 2026 the state cabinet decided to rename the scheme as Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi (MKSN). The next day, 29 October 2026, the Agriculture Department issued the official notification. This is not only a name change – the scheme is now split into two components, and the rules and amounts of both components are different. That is why the old information will not work any more. Websites that still show Rs 10,000 a year are showing old information.
One more important point – with the name change, the official portal also started showing the new name. But remember, the correct portal is only krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in. The old address krishakbandhu.net is no longer a government site – on 1 November 2026 it showed an unrelated gambling page. If anyone tells you to visit krishakbandhu.net, do not go there.
Two-Part Assistance – Component 1 and Component 2
The easiest way to understand the new scheme is to look at it as two separate parts. Both parts are for different farmers, and both pay different amounts. One farmer will not get the benefit of both parts together – the notification states this clearly.
Component 1: Annual Assistance Based on Land
This part is for farming families in West Bengal that own cultivable land. The amount depends on the size of the land:
| Cultivable land | Annual assistance | One instalment |
|---|---|---|
| 40 decimals or more | Rs 6,000 | Rs 3,000 |
| Less than 40 decimals | Rs 4,000 | Rs 2,000 |
This amount will come in two equal instalments through DBT directly into the bank account – the first instalment in the Kharif season (between June and September) and the second in the Rabi season (between December and March). Land will be counted as on 1 July 2026, and no change will be counted for the next 5 years. The only exception is land received through inheritance after the death of the owner.
Along with land-owning farmers, registered bargadars (sharecroppers), patta holders and registered sharecroppers are also eligible under this component. Existing Krishak Bandhu (Natun) beneficiaries do not need to apply again – as per the Agriculture Department order (No. 617-AG/O/9M(NAB)-35/2026, dated 3 July 2026), after their eligibility and bank details are verified, they will be automatically enrolled in this component.
Component 2: Extra Rs 3,000 for PM-KISAN Farmers
This part is for farmers who already receive benefits under the central government’s PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme. Such farmers will get an extra Rs 3,000 a year from the state government – in three equal instalments of Rs 1,000 each, one instalment every four months.
This means a PM-KISAN farmer will receive a total of Rs 9,000 a year – Rs 6,000 from the Centre and Rs 3,000 from the state. But note: PM-KISAN beneficiaries are not eligible for Component 1, because they fall under Component 2. Claims that add both components together to show Rs 12,000 or Rs 15,000 are wrong.
Around 48 to 50 lakh farmers are expected to benefit under this component.
First Instalment of Rs 2,000 – Released on 5 November 2026
On 5 November 2026 the Chief Minister released the first instalment of the scheme from Pursurah in Hooghly district. On that day, Rs 2,000 was sent through DBT directly into the bank accounts of more than 46 lakh eligible PM-KISAN beneficiaries. This Rs 2,000 is two instalments of Component 2 (Rs 1,000 + Rs 1,000) paid together.
For Component 1, the instalment timings are fixed by season in the notification – Kharif (June to September) and Rabi (December to March). The Rabi instalment will come between December 2026 and March 2027, but no fixed date has been announced yet. As soon as a date is fixed, this guide will be updated.
Who Is Eligible and Who Is Not?
Eligibility for Component 1:
- A farming family living in West Bengal that owns cultivable land within the state.
- Land-owning farmers, registered bargadars, patta holders and registered sharecroppers.
- Existing Krishak Bandhu (Natun) beneficiaries – automatic enrolment, no fresh application.
Who is excluded (paragraph 5 of the notification):
- Institutional landholders.
- PM-KISAN beneficiaries – they fall under Component 2, not Component 1.
- Income-tax payers.
- Specified practising professionals and NRIs.
- Families with a government or constitutional employee – except Group D / MTS / Class IV employees.
- Families with a pensioner.
If your family has a government employee (other than Group D) or a pensioner, the whole family will be out of the scheme – understand this point carefully.
The Rs 2 Lakh Death Benefit – Not Clear Yet
Under the old Krishak Bandhu scheme, the family received a Rs 2 lakh death benefit on the death of the farmer. But the new notification dated 29 October 2026 does not mention this death benefit at all. This does not mean the benefit has ended, and it does not mean it will continue – it is simply not clear yet. Some websites still show the Rs 2 lakh benefit, but they have no official proof for it. Until the government makes a clear announcement on this, this guide will mark it as uncertain.
How to Check Your Instalment Status Online
Use only the official portal to check your instalment and beneficiary details:
- Open krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in on your mobile or computer.
- Choose the Farmer Search option on the portal.
- Enter your Voter Card number, Aadhaar number or bank account number.
- See your details and payment status on the screen.
- If the details look wrong or your name is not found, contact the ADA office of your block.
Never share your OTP, bank password or full Aadhaar details with any website or person. No government officer asks for an OTP on the phone.
How Can New Farmers Apply?
If you are neither an old Krishak Bandhu beneficiary nor a PM-KISAN beneficiary, you will have to apply. The application is not through an online form – it is made in the prescribed format at the Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office of your block. You will need to give your land documents, Aadhaar card, Voter Card and bank account details with the application. After the application, your eligibility and bank details will be verified, and only after approval will the instalment come.
Beware of Fraud – Use Only the Correct Portal
As soon as the scheme’s name changed, wrong information started spreading on the internet. The biggest danger is that the old address krishakbandhu.net is no longer a government site – a gambling site opens there. Apart from that, many fake websites and YouTube videos are showing wrong amounts like Rs 10,000, Rs 12,000 or Rs 15,000, and some people are even asking for money in the name of the application. Remember:
- The correct portal is only krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in.
- There is no fee for the application.
- No officer asks for an OTP or bank password on the phone.
- Old Krishak Bandhu beneficiaries do not need to apply again.
Old Scheme vs New Scheme – Comparison
| Point | Krishak Bandhu (old) | Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 1 January 2019; Natun on 17 June 2021 | 29 October 2026 (notification) |
| Annual assistance | Rs 10,000 for one acre or more | Component 1: Rs 6,000 / Rs 4,000; Component 2: extra Rs 3,000 |
| Instalments | 2 instalments (Kharif + Rabi) | Component 1: 2 instalments; Component 2: 3 instalments |
| PM-KISAN farmers | No extra state assistance | Total Rs 9,000 a year (Centre Rs 6,000 + State Rs 3,000) |
| Death benefit | Rs 2 lakh | Not mentioned in the notification – status unclear |
| Budget 2026-27 | Rs 4,625 crore | Same budget, new arrangement |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the new name of Krishak Bandhu?
The new name is Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi (MKSN). The state cabinet decided on the rename on 28 October 2026, and the Agriculture Department issued the notification on 29 October 2026.
2. How much money will come in a year now?
It depends on which component you fall under. Under Component 1, farmers with 40 decimals or more of land get Rs 6,000 and those with less land get Rs 4,000 a year. PM-KISAN beneficiaries get an extra Rs 3,000 from the state, making a total of Rs 9,000 a year.
3. Who received the first Rs 2,000 instalment?
On 5 November 2026, the first instalment of Rs 2,000 was given from Pursurah (Hooghly) to more than 46 lakh eligible PM-KISAN beneficiaries. This is two instalments of Component 2 paid together.
4. Do old Krishak Bandhu beneficiaries need to apply again?
No. Old beneficiaries will be automatically enrolled in the new component after their eligibility and bank details are verified.
5. When will the Rabi instalment come?
The Rabi instalment under Component 1 will come between December 2026 and March 2027, but no fixed date has been announced yet.
6. Will the Rs 2 lakh death benefit still be given?
The new notification does not mention it, so it is not clear yet. Wait for a clear government announcement.
7. Which is the correct portal?
Only krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in. The old address krishakbandhu.net is no longer a government site – a gambling site opens there.
8. Where should new farmers apply?
Apply in the prescribed format at the Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office of your block. No online application system has been announced yet.
Read More
Also read about other West Bengal schemes: Banglarbhumi 2026 – West Bengal Land Records, Khatian and e-Porcha Guide, Smart PDS 2.0 West Bengal – New Ration Card System, and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026 – Online Apply and Status Check.
Disclaimer: GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. The information in this guide is based on West Bengal Agriculture Department Notification No. 1128-AG/O/9M(Nab)-56/2026 (29 October 2026) and government announcements. Rules and dates can change – always verify the information on the official portal krishakbandhu.wb.gov.in before taking any step.
Last Updated: 11 November 2026
